​Kennel Manager - Job Description

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Reports to:​ Shelter Director

Direct Reports: Kennel technicians, Cattery technicians, Intake staff; ​ Full time position. Possibility for irregular work hours that change from week to week.​                   

​Summary: Kennel Manager is responsible for providing training, discipline, leadership, and mentorship to all staff with a focus on kennel, cattery, and intake staff in particular; ensuring the effective operation of the the kennels, cattery, and intakes; overseeing and ensuring the general health and wellness of all dogs and cats at the shelter; and upholding the values and mission of the shelter.​

Specific duties of Kennel Manager include, but are not limited to: 

• Staff management and training
  • Create, update, and implement training protocols, the training manual, and SOPS for direct reports as requested by Shelter Director
  • Oversee/coordinate training of new direct reports, and oversee continued education of existing direct reports
  • Correct issues as they come up, and ensure all direct reports are following proper protocols
  • Communicate with Shelter Director to streamline and update shelter-wide protocols and procedures to ensure the kennels, cattery, and intakes in particular are operating at maximum efficiency and effectiveness. 
  • Co-manage monthly incentive challenges, bi-monthly staff meetings, and quarterly staff development days with Office Manager
  • Record all attendance issues on the Call in Tracking List, and discipline staff with chronic attendance issues as per the training manual/employee handbook
  • Issue verbal and written reprimands and other discipline to direct reports as needed
  • Offer encouragement and promote a positive, supportive, team-oriented working environment for all staff
  • Identify staff members who would excel if cross-trained in other areas and work with Shelter

Director to coordinate cross-training and/or promotion of exceptional staff members
Fill in for direct reports as needed

• Hiring and onboarding
  • Post open direct report positions on social media
  • Conduct interviews and hire new office and surrender staff
  • Coordinate the hiring/promotion of foster staff with Shelter Director
  • Ensure all new direct reports complete necessary paperwork, and e-mail new hire packet to CPA
  • Create a personnel file for each new direct report
  • Ensure all new direct reports receive a staff handbook, a staff training guide, staff shirts, and a pocket on the WOW Wall
  • Ensure each new direct report follows the onboarding process
  • Track all discipline, raises, and other changes on the provided documents in each direct report’s personnel file
• Communication
  • Report to Shelter Director regularly and efficiently
  • Maintain and promote positive communication with direct reports and other staff
  • Promote good interdepartmental relations between direct reports and office staff
  • Keep walkie on at all times and respond to calls as needed
  • Report significant personnel issues to Shelter Director
  • Attend regular one-on-one sessions with Shelter Director
  • Attend regular managers meetings
  • Submit monthly report to Shelter Director to be included in monthly board report
• Oversee cleaning and care
  • Oversee morning cleaning of kennel area, cat and kitten cottages, and interior rooms
  • Delegate tasks and rearrange staff as needed to ensure cleaning is done as effectively and efficiently as possible
  • Manage daily and weekly kennel, cattery, and intake checklists and daily iso checklists
  • Assist with morning cleaning and other daily/weekly checklist items as needed to ensure all tasks are completed effectively and efficiently
  • Maintain cleanliness of grounds and playpen areas
  • Ensure cleaning protocols are being followed correctly and make corrections to incorrect cleaning methods
  • Oversee feeding and ensure that animals are being fed appropriate amounts at the designated time and that feeding protocols are being followed
  • Report consistent cleaning issues/feeding issues and suggested solutions to Shelter Director
  • Coordinate with office to ensure kennel signage is consistently and correctly used
  • Ensure that special needs animals or especially messy animals receive the extra care and cleaning that they need
  • Ensure that both isolation areas are cleaned daily, and coordinate with staff and vet techs to ensure animals in isolation receive proper medication and care
  • Ensure proper sanitation, decontamination, and PPE protocols are practiced in isolation areas
  • Ensure all staff are on target to finish their tasks in a timely fashion each day to prevent unauthorized overtime and promote efficiency
  • Complete final walkthrough after all kennel, cattery, and intake staff are done for the day
  • Shut off all lights and lock up in kennels and cattery at the end of the day
• Enrichment
  • Work with Behavior Coordinator to ensure kennel enrichment takes place each day
  • Coordinate with kennel staff and volunteers to prepare enrichment activities ahead of time
  • Ensure housebroken dogs and crate rest dogs are receiving walks each day
  • Work with Behavior Coordinator to identify dogs in need of extra enrichment or behavioral modification
• Oversee customer interactions/adoption counseling
  • Work with Adoptions Manager to ensure that kennel and cattery staff are well-trained in adoption counseling and are consistently providing accurate information to adopters 
  • Coordinate with office staff to ensure all dogs have up-to-date kennel cards within 24 hours of arrival
  • Ensure direct reports are upholding the shelter’s values and mission statement during interactions with the public and one another (non-judgemental, open adoptions, etc.)
  • Report any consistent customer service/adoption counseling issues to Shelter Director

● Manage kennel space/population

• Ensure that each animal has appropriate housing with appropriately sized and clean water bowl and bedding; ensure that staff can recognize inappropriate housing, water, and bedding
• Ensure animals have appropriate kennel-mates 
• Coordinate with intake tech to create a plan for movement of animals to create combinations and move animals to appropriate locations 
• Complete all daily walkthroughs listed on the Daily Lead checklist
• Perform a weekly census ensuring animals are marked with appropriate attributes, assessments, and memos in Shelterluv
• Communicate during weekly one-on-ones with Shelter Director about temperament, health, needs, and suggestions for shelter dogs and cats

• Manage supply inventory
  • Complete weekly supply inventory
  • Research lowest prices on supplies before purchasing
  • Purchase kennel, cattery, and intake supplies each week as needed, always staying within the allotted budget and practicing sound financial practices
  • Complete the weekly food purchase order through Science Diet
  • Notify Medical Director when we have 5 buckets of Rescue so that it can be purchased
• General maintenance
  • Identify areas of the shelter property and/or shelter tools that need maintenance
  • Work with board members, volunteers, and maintenance staff to ensure all low-cost maintenance issues are addressed in a timely fashion and within the allotted budget
  • Notify Shelter Director of significant maintenance issues and follow up to ensure important issues are corrected in a timely manner
• Working with volunteers
  • Remember that volunteers donate their time, talent, and expertise and are not compensated monetarily for their contributions. 
  • Greet all volunteers that you see and thank them for their service when feasible
  • Keep a “customer service” mentality when working alongside volunteers
  • Build relationships with volunteers
  • Provide feedback to volunteers when they do something well
  • Offer encouragement, training, and constructive correction if you see them break protocol
  • Feedback should be non-confrontational, and specific
  • Request volunteer assistance when you need it
  • Engage with volunteers through the Southern Pines Volunteers Facebook group 
• Other essential duties
  • Update Science Diet  Shelter Profile monthly to keep Southern Pines in compliance with the feeder program
  • Assist with planning, coordination, and execution of large scale shelter events