Supervisor, Direct Care and Enrichment

Best Friends • Los Angeles, LA

7d • Onsite

About The Position

Direct Care & Enrichment Supervisors are responsible for overseeing daily animal care, outcomes, and enrichment needs for animals in our program locations, as well as leading the training and oversight of departmental volunteers. Operating as a hands-on, collaborative leader, you will balance strategic thinking with day-to-day operational execution. Supervisors act with urgency to accomplish important tasks and play a direct role in achieving Best Friends Animal Society’s no-kill mission and organizational success. In conjunction with your manager, you will support the development of goals, strategies, and efficient processes to increase lifesaving capacity.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED, plus 1 to 2 years of experience in customer service, volunteer coordination, animal-related programs, or a similar field.
• 1 to 3 years of experience leading teams, or equivalent work experience leading volunteers and implementing new programs.
• Demonstrated ability to work with, leash, kennel, walk, and handle cats and dogs of all sizes, temperaments, and medical statuses—including those with health and/or behavior conditions.
• Ability to identify and speak to the medical and behavioral characteristics of dogs and cats.
• Customer-centric, non-judgmental approach to engaging with adopters, partners, visitors, volunteers, and colleagues.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to handle sensitive, confidential situations professionally.
• Strong public-speaking and presentation experience.
• Highly resourceful with a get-it-done, adaptable attitude.
• Well-developed organizational skills to juggle multiple competing demands in a fast-paced environment.
• Problem-solving initiative to seek answers independently and enthusiastically.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, with a familiarity with shelter software/animal management software (or a strong desire to learn).
• Must be able to routinely lift 40 pounds and perform daily strenuous activity, including lifting, carrying, kneeling, reaching, stooping, squatting, cleaning, bending, and standing for extended periods.
• Perform repetitive tasks for extended periods, including typing, sitting, walking, and arm/hand motion.
• Work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold.
• Regular exposure to dogs, cats, and other animals of all sizes, temperaments, and medical statuses.
• Valid driver's license meeting Best Friends Animal Society’s driver qualification standards.
• Ability to travel, including overnight stays, when needed.
• Daily hours and days of the week may vary based on department needs, including weekends, evenings, nights, and holidays.
• After-hours flexibility to monitor a designated phone line for urgent foster care, staff, or volunteer-related issues (such as animal emergencies or scheduling conflicts). This responsibility may be assigned on a rotating schedule or as needed based on program demands.
• Applicants for employment in the U.S. must have valid work authorization that does not now and/or will not in the future require visa sponsorship by Best Friends Animal Society.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual or multilingual skills are preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside team members and volunteers to oversee, coordinate, and conduct daily lifesaving care—including animal intake, feeding, cleaning, walking, enrichment, transport, and medicating animals housed or transported within Best Friends’ vehicles, buildings, or facilities.
• Implement approved treatment protocols, follow standard operating procedures, and ensure accurate, timely recordkeeping.
• Work with your manager to routinely evaluate onsite animal capacity, monitor population trends, track length of stay, and determine lifesaving needs for priority shelter partners.
• Implement strategies that increase placement opportunities through elevated care standards, behavioral support, and cross-departmental collaboration (Admissions, Medical, Adoptions, Foster, and Marketing).
• Establish volunteer and foster opportunities that augment daily operations and maximize lifesaving capacity.
• Define and track goals for shift attendance, partner with Volunteer and Community Engagement teams on recruitment and retention, and ensure opportunities align with the organizational constituent journey.
• Support foster caregivers through responsive communication, medical follow-ups, and direct operational guidance.
• Develop a detailed knowledge of Best Friends' programs to speak knowledgeably and support teams in communicating about them.
• Serve as a brand ambassador and represent Best Friends in media relations when requested.
• Oversee or assist in creating engaging content for social media and PR, ensuring a consistent organizational voice.
• Provide day-to-day leadership through hiring, onboarding, training, scheduling, coaching, and performance feedback.
• Ensure team members have the knowledge, resources, and support needed to achieve their fullest potential and meet program requirements.
• Provide thoughtful feedback regarding end-of-life decisions, balancing medical and behavioral considerations with quality of life to minimize suffering while honoring our mission to Save Them All.
• Work collaboratively across all areas of operations to develop and implement efficient processes.
• Lead the maintenance of a safe, organized, and compliant workplace by modeling safe work practices, adhering to safety standards, and proactively communicating unsafe conditions to leadership.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the lifesaving mission.

Benefits

• Best Friends Animal Society is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or domestic partner status.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED