Adoption Manager

Job Classification Full-time, Non-exempt, 40 hours per week Job Duties and Responsibilities Adoption Team Supervision Supervise and manage adoption staff (currently consisting of 2 team members), ensuring they receive adequate training, direction, and support to perform their duties effectively. Actively engage in fostering a positive, communicative, and collaborative work environment through their own leadership, collaboration, and intentional team-building and engagement efforts. Assess adoption team performance and provide timely feedback on a regular basis. Provide coaching, performance feedback, and identify learning resources to help adoption staff strengthen skills and address growth areas. Manage team scheduling and timekeeping, including reviewing/approving time-off requests, ensuring timely and accurate completion of timesheets, ensuring appropriate use of overtime, maintaining adequate coverage, and ensuring compliance with company policies. Ensure accurate documentation of organizational and administrative processes and staff records. Ensure that adoption staff adhere to OAS and FOAS policies and procedures and support OAS and FOAS initiatives. Report regularly to Outcome Team Manager on the performance of staff and status of the adoption program. Adoption Program Oversee all aspects of the adoption program for dogs, cats, rabbits and other small animals. Create/maintain a system to collect and consolidate information about each adoptable animal and work with staff and volunteers to keep animal profile data updated and accurate. Provide supervision and hands‑on support during adoption days at shelter, off‑site events, and adoption appointments; ensure appropriate staffing (staff and volunteers) for each activity. Support adoption staff and volunteers in more challenging situations by interacting directly with the potential adopters to resolve any concerns. Coordinate and expand off‑site adoption program opportunities for dogs and cats through events and partnerships. Regularly engage with volunteer community and volunteer program staff to support adoption programs activities – training, events, status of animals in program, adoption success stories, adoption related metrics. Oversee and assist with marketing and promotion of adoptable animals, especially hard‑to‑place and foster animals. Proactively identify opportunities for adoption program improvement and growth, working with Outcome Team Manager and OAS leadership to prioritize, develop, and implement strategies to address emerging needs, streamline processes, and introduce future improvements. Assist Dog and Cat Pathway coordinators with evaluation of animal’s behavior and determination of adoptability, changes in status (handling levels, pathway), and outcome. Qualifications and Education Requirements Associates degree or equivalent from an accredited college or technical school. At least two (2) years of experience working or volunteering with an animal care, rescue, or shelter preferred. At least one (1) year of experience in an animal shelter or rescue organization providing adoption counseling and post‑adoption support to adopters. At least one (1) year experience leading a team of at least two (2) direct reports preferred. Experience with coordinating teams of either staff or volunteers. Experience with creating processes and systems. Familiarity by training or experience with basic animal care and handling. Required and Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Leadership, Collaboration, and Program Management Commitment to the mission, goals, and success of Oakland Animal Services, Friends of Oakland Animal Services, and the community we serve. Experience with creating and maintaining processes and systems, including training and supporting staff and volunteers on their use. Ability to align the adoption program and the team’s efforts with broader organizational objectives. Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications and data management tools. Experience with staff supervision, coaching, and performance management. Ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with the public, volunteers, and staff. Strong conflict resolution and interpersonal skills, with the ability to remain calm and objective in urgent or complex situations. Strong team‑orientated work ethic. Ability to organize and prioritize multiple tasks in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment while adapting to changing needs and priorities. Animal Welfare Expertise & Shelter Operations Familiarity with animal sheltering and animal welfare challenges, including low‑barrier adoption practices. Knowledge of basic animal health care, safe animal handling practices, and defensive handling practices. Familiarity, training, and experience with animal handling activities such as weighing, vaccinations, microchipping, deworming, putting on collars/harnesses/vests. Experience working with harder‑to‑place cats and dogs (e.g. with behavior challenges) preferred. Ability to recognize symptoms of common animal diseases. Ability to navigate and operate safely in an animal shelter environment, which may include performing physical tasks as needed to support staff or operations (e.g. opening/closing kennels, loading event supplies, carrying and handling animals, etc.). Working Conditions Primary work location is an animal shelter environment. Exposure to loud noises, high levels of activity, animals in various health and behavioral conditions. Potential for exposure to animal feces, blood, urine, and zoonotic diseases. Potential for exposure to animal bites, scratches, physical bodily impact. Must be able to work weekends and some evenings as the role requires partial to full coverage of adoption days and adoption events (primarily weekends). Adoption events may be held outdoors; must be able to work comfortably outdoors and in varying weather conditions. Must be able to tolerate the emotional aspect of work in an animal shelter environment, including the use of euthanasia, and participate in thoughtful, professional communication regarding difficult outcomes with staff, volunteers, and the public. Reports to FOAS Outcome Team Manager for daily administrative needs. FOAS Deputy Director for employment matters. Work location On‑site at Oakland Animal Services (1101 29th Ave, Oakland, CA 94601). Compensation Annual salary range: $68,000 to $73,000; Thirteen select paid holidays, plus accrued vacation and sick time based on hours worked. Health benefits and 401(k) retirement plan also offered. #J-18808-Ljbffr