Specialist, Emergency Services

Best Friends Animal Society

7d•$58,656 - $72,800•Remote

About The Position

The Specialist, Emergency Services plays a critical role in advancing Best Friends Animal Society’s lifesaving mission through direct field deployment, search and rescue (SAR) operations, and emergency response execution. This position serves as a primary in-field responder, supporting disaster response operations, coordinating search and rescue activities, and assisting with emergency preparedness efforts. The Specialist works collaboratively with internal teams, external partners, and volunteers to ensure effective, humane, and safe response operations in dynamic and high-pressure environments. In support of the organization’s national lifesaving strategy, this role helps extend emergency response capabilities to partner shelters and communities across the country—strengthening preparedness, response capacity, and continuity of care for animals impacted by disasters and crises. The Specialist also engages with external stakeholders across the emergency management ecosystem, including local shelters, government agencies (local, state, and federal), nonprofit partners, and incident command teams. This role requires the ability to effectively collaborate with stakeholders at varying levels of responsibility and experience to support coordinated, mission-aligned response efforts.

Requirements

At least 3–5 years of experience in emergency response, disaster operations, or coordinated field-based work.
Working knowledge of multi-agency coordination and Incident Command System (ICS/NIMS) frameworks.
Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in high-pressure, dynamic field environments, including coordinating tasks, resources, or small teams during response efforts.
Foundational understanding of animal welfare practices and disaster response operations for animals.
Strong verbal communication skills, with ability to provide clear direction in the field and contribute to training or briefings.
Ability to work with a variety of stakeholders, including shelter partners, emergency management personnel, and volunteers in field environments.
Ability to handle and work with animals, including those with medical or behavioral concerns.
Strong interpersonal skills, professionalism, and ability to work effectively across diverse teams and environments.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and shifting demands in fast-paced operational settings.
Demonstrated resourcefulness, initiative, and problem-solving ability, particularly in unfamiliar or evolving situations.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products – especially Outlook, Word and Teams.
Demonstrated ability to learn and apply new systems, workflows, or technologies quickly, including comfort working alongside AI-supported tools and adapting workflows based on evolving digital capabilities.
Ability to professionally advocate Best Friends’ positions on issues.
Lift 50 pounds and perform strenuous activity including, but not limited to lifting, bending, kneeling, crouching, crawling, climbing stairs, ladders, or traversing uneven and unstable terrain.
Perform repetitive tasks for extended periods of time including typing, sitting, walking, arm, and hand motion.
Work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions including extreme or rapidly changing weather conditions, including heat, cold, wind, rain, snow, flooding, or debris-filled environments.
Exposure to dogs, cats and other animals of all sizes, temperaments, and medical status, including in emergency situations.
Ability to work with, leash, kennel, walk, and handle cats and dogs, including those with health and/or behavior conditions/concerns.
Must be able to work in confined spaces, low-visibility environments, and hazardous conditions.
Must have adequate manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination to operate tools, medical equipment, and emergency response devices.
Must be able to wear personal protective equipment (PPE), including respiratory protection and weather-specific gear, for prolonged periods.
Must have visual and auditory acuity sufficient to identify hazards, read instruments, and communicate effectively in noisy or chaotic environments.
Must have a valid driver's license for at least 3 years, ability to qualify to be added to Best Friends insurance, ability to travel and/or drive on behalf of Best Friends, including overnight stays, when needed.
Ability to travel via various forms of transportation.
Able to work varying hours, which may include early morning and/or late evening hours.
Must be available to serve on an on-call capacity, monitoring emergencies and be willing to work through weekends and holidays during response operations, if needed.

Nice To Haves

Required certifications and training for field response, including those related to water-based rescue operations, and/or fire or disaster response operations.

Responsibilities

Serve as a primary field responder for emergency deployments, including disaster response, shelter support, and large-scale incident operations.
Conduct and support search and rescue (SAR) operations, including animal recovery, evacuation, and field stabilization efforts.
Maintain required certifications and training for field response, including those related to water-based rescue operations, and/or fire or disaster response operations.
Operate within and support the Incident Command System (ICS) structure, with a clear understanding of roles, responsibilities, and reporting relationships during response operations.
Provide direct support to the Senior Manager, Emergency Services during active responses, assisting with execution of operational strategy and field decision-making.
Coordinate and execute on-site operational activities, including: Transport logistics and coordination, Supply distribution hubs and resource tracking, Field communication and situational reporting.
Support and help manage field-based volunteer operations in coordination with the Emergency Services Volunteer Coordinator, including: Providing direction and real-time oversight to volunteers during deployments, Ensuring safe, effective, and mission-aligned volunteer engagement in the field, Supporting coordination between volunteer teams and operational leadership.
Support the setup, operation, and maintenance of field assets and equipment, including but not limited to: Boats, motors, and water response equipment, Field supplies, trailers, and response kits, Equipment readiness and deployment logistics.
Support the advancement of organizational preparedness and response capacity by contributing to the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of emergency plans, SOPs, and operational processes based on field experience and identified gaps.
Assist in the design and delivery of training programs for staff and volunteers, facilitating learning in areas such as emergency response procedures, animal handling in disaster environments, and field safety, while incorporating after-action insights to strengthen future readiness.
Collaborate with internal teams, partner shelters, and external stakeholders to enhance coordinated response efforts and national program effectiveness, providing feedback and recommendations that support ongoing program development, innovation, and continuous improvement.