If you are up for the challenge and would like to be considered for this position, we would like to hear from you. The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) is looking to fill the following career opportunity:

POSITION:                Manager, Wild Animal Rehabilitation Center (Wild ARC)

STATUS:                    Temporary; Full-Time (Mat Leave)

SHIFT:                        35 hours per week - Monday through Friday

LOCATION:               Victoria, BC

CLASSIFICATION:    Exempt           

WAGE:                      Salaried 

CLOSING DATE:       Open Until Filled

We welcome diversity, value differences, and foster inclusion in our employment practices.  Find out more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion by reading our Foundational Principles on our website.  We invite applications from all qualified individuals who are philosophically aligned with our mission and principles. 

As a Manager, Animal Centre at the BC SPCA you’ll be joining a fast-paced, passionate team, who care for vulnerable animals in our province. The BC SPCA is generously funded by compassionate animal lovers, who helped us assist nearly 119,000 animals last year.

What’s it like working at the BC SPCA?

Our Team:

The Animal Care Services team strives to create an engaged, supportive and positive workplace culture. We are driven by evidence-based practices, and committed to excellence in animal health, rehabilitation and sheltering. We’re passionate about helping animals live safe and healthy lives!

The role of Manager, Animal Centre

This position is accountable for proactive day-to-day management of WildARC, including leading a team of approximately 25 passionate unionized staff and 150 volunteers (both of which fluctuate seasonally), ensuring the health and welfare of around 3000 wild animals in our care, performing administrative and financial duties, and participating fundraising activities, such as events and donor stewardship. The Manager, Animal Centre works closely with the Senior Manager, Victoria Area to ensure the overall success of WildARC and the BC SPCA. In addition, the Manager, Animal Centre, develops and maintains relationships with internal stakeholders in the organization, and external stakeholders in the community, as needed. Overall, the Manager, Animal Centre will ensure all BC SPCA policies are adhered to in delivery of services.

In addition, duties and responsibilities include:

Duties Related to Animal Management:

• Responsible for attaining and maintaining optimum animal welfare standards at all times as defined by IWRC/NWRA minimum standards for wildlife rehabilitation, Wild ARC capacity standard operating procedure (SOP) and implementation of all related BC SPCA policies.
• Tracks and reports on the successful implementation and maintenance of standard operating policies/procedures and related programs in the Animal Centre and takes immediate steps to address any challenges to implementation or maintenance of these policies, procedures and programs.
• Where required, ensures the prompt and proper approval and transfer of animals to veterinary facilities and/or to other approved rehabilitation locations in coordination with designated animal transfer staff and volunteers.
• Where required, supports the Senior Wildlife Rehabilitator in decision making regarding euthanasia in accordance with BC SPCA policy.
• Liaises with local veterinary facilities to ensure proper care of animals and build effective relationships.

Duties Related to People Care:

• Responsible for the recruitment, hiring, onboarding, annual goal setting, regular performance management, and termination of Animal Centre employees.
• Provide support to volunteer lead as needed in the recruitment, orientation, training, supervision, scheduling and recognition of volunteers
• Celebrates individual and team successes for both staff and volunteers; strives to create and maintain a positive, supportive and engaged workplace culture.
• Schedules staff in keeping with BC SPCA requirements and budgeted staffing levels in a way that supports animal care and ensures operational requirements can be effectively met.
• Acts as a champion for health, safety and wellness in the Animal Centre; ensures that all legal and BC SPCA requirements in health & safety are met and appropriate records are maintained.
• Acts as an ambassador of new programs, policies and procedures and uses effective change management techniques to ensure high rates of success in implementation at a local level.
• Builds relationships with other key stakeholders in the organization and facilitates interactions that enhance trust.
• In unionized shelters as identified in the Manager, Animal Centre Responsibility Matrix, ensures proper administration of the applicable collective agreement and participates in the resolution of grievances and preparation for collective bargaining as required. The non-salaried employees of this animal center are part of the CUPE50 union.
• Submits all payroll information to the Human Resources department by established deadlines.

Duties Related to Communication:

• Replies to customer inquiries in a courteous, efficient and professional manner providing a high level of personalized customer service and assists in resolving escalated customer service complaints in a timely manner.
• Leads regular meetings with staff and volunteers to share local/regional/provincial information and provide opportunities for discussion and input.
• Ensures effective customer/stakeholder relations.
• Identifies community needs to Senior Manager and provides input into ways to address any gaps.
• Represents the BC SPCA in a professional and knowledgeable manner and may be required to speak to local media on behalf of Wild ARC.

Duties Related to Financial/Administrative Tasks:

• Administers assigned annual budget with support from Senior Manager, Victoria Area.
• Conducts additional fundraising and/or community engagement activities as noted in the Manager, Animal Centre Responsibility Matrix.
• Engages in the following required fundraising activities:
• Provides required statistical reports and data on Animal Centre performance on a regular basis, including but not limited to assisting in permit and renewal process with Manager, Wild Animal Welfare.
• Together with the Senior Manager, ensures physical facility, equipment, and supplies are maintained in a condition acceptable to the BC SPCA and; provides input into requests for capital improvements as need
• Develop and oversee emergency plans with support from Senior Manager, Victoria Area, Health Safety & Wellness Advisor, local health and safety representative(s) and where related to a community emergency, the BC SPCAs Emergency Response Team.
• Covers for other managers at Animal Centres, during periods of absence, as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

While every day is different, a day in this role might include:

• Leading a ‘daily huddle’ with your team to discuss animals in care, and other updates related to WildARC.
• Supporting your team with what they need to be successful in their day, while celebrating individual and team successes along the way.
• Submitting payroll and accounts payable to the appropriate department by the imposed deadline.  
• Working closely with the Senior Manager, Victoria Area to engage key stakeholders to steward strong and trusting relationships and build support for the BC SPCA in your community.

What type of person are you?

• A self-starter with a genuine compassion for people and animals and supporting the community you serve
• Someone who thrives in a fast-pace, demanding and reactive work environment
• An excellent communicator who enjoys connecting with a variety of people in a positive, respectful manner
• A motivated and innovative problem-solver.
• Excited about the mission, vision, and guiding principles of the BC SPCA and want to be part of our work.

What skills have you developed?

• Post-secondary education in an applicable field  
• Minimum of 5 years of related experience, with at least 3 years in a supervisory capacity. Related experience includes, but is not limited to:

• Working in animal welfare, with preference for wild animal experience;
• Working in the non-profit sector, with familiarity with fundraising and volunteer management/relations;
• Application/communication of wildlife legislation and regulations;
• Scheduling and financial management;
• Working in a unionized environment;
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptable to the employer.

• Genuine compassion for animals and sound knowledge of the Five Freedoms and related animal welfare standards.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, planning and prioritizing a varied and demanding workload in order to meet fixed deadlines with minimal supervision
• Business acumen skills to understand and manage various business situations
• Excellent communication, interpersonal skills and genuine desire/ability to work with a diverse range of people in a positive and respectful manner.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and have some database management experience.
• Computer skills – Windows, MS Office incl. PowerPoint and Excel.
• Ability to work flexible hours (i.e. evening, weekend and holidays) on occasion
• Must be able to lift 40 pounds; willingness to be vaccinated for zoonotic diseases applicable to the worksite.
• Must have a valid BC Class 5 Drivers License.
• Philosophical harmony with the BC SPCA mission, vision, and strategic directions

Benefits

• Full time salaried position.
• Four weeks’ vacation plus twelve sick days.
• Competitive extended health benefits after three months.
• Employer RRSP contributions of 7.5% (with no matching requirement) after three months.
• Fast-paced work-place culture of collaboration, passion and respect.
• And yes, there are deer and raccoons (and sometimes otters and sea birds), too!

The BC SPCA compensation structure is based on external benchmarks and regularly reviewed. Starting placement on the range for this position will be commensurate with the successful candidate’s experience. The hiring manager will share the range with short-listed candidates prior to scheduling interviews. In order to be considered, please submit both a resume and cover letter with your application.

How to apply
If you are up for the challenge, are looking for an opportunity to be involved in a great cause and are legally entitled to work in Canada we would love to hear from you. Help us make a difference. Click on apply now or use the link:  https://spca.bc.ca/about-us/careers/

We thank you for your interest in the BC SPCA, however; only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone calls please.

The BC SPCA is a Registered Charity BN 11881 9036 RR0001