Pathways Manager

Position: Pathways Manager

Department: Client Services/Placement

Reports To: Director of Client Services

Location: 1251 Fulton Industrial Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30336

Summary:

LifeLine Animal Project is committed to the care and welfare of pets and the people who love them. The values we exhibit as an organization show the strength of our staff, our leadership and our community. We expect all employees to exhibit LifeLine’s core values as we complete daily tasks, provide services to clients and care for our animals.

The Pathways Manager proactively identifies needs and placement options to expedite

outcome and/or placement options for pets in the shelter. The goal of the position is to decrease the length of stay in shelter for most pets and to triage animals to ensure that kennel stay time is minimized. The Pathways Manager reports to the Director of Client Services and will work collaboratively with all teams to get more pets out of the shelter, more quickly. 

Essential Job Functions:

This represents a list of essential job duties. Other duties or special projects may be assigned as needed.

Uphold the standards and values of LifeLine Animal Project:

Save Lives -- Build Community -- Be Exceptional Stewards -- Be Courageous -- 

Be Compassionate -- Take Responsibility -- Respect, Embrace and Celebrate Diversity

Position: Pathways Manager

Department: Client Services/Placement

Reports To: Director of Client Services

Location: 1251 Fulton Industrial Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30336

Summary:

LifeLine Animal Project is committed to the care and welfare of pets and the people who love them. The values we exhibit as an organization show the strength of our staff, our leadership and our community. We expect all employees to exhibit LifeLine’s core values as we complete daily tasks, provide services to clients and care for our animals.

The Pathways Manager proactively identifies needs and placement options to expedite

outcome and/or placement options for pets in the shelter. The goal of the position is to decrease the length of stay in shelter for most pets and to triage animals to ensure that kennel stay time is minimized. The Pathways Manager reports to the Director of Client Services and will work collaboratively with all teams to get more pets out of the shelter, more quickly. 

Essential Job Functions:

This represents a list of essential job duties. Other duties or special projects may be assigned as needed.

Uphold the standards and values of LifeLine Animal Project:

Save Lives -- Build Community -- Be Exceptional Stewards -- Be Courageous -- 

Be Compassionate -- Take Responsibility -- Respect, Embrace and Celebrate Diversity

Leadership:

• Coordinate shelter placement rounds and Focus Group. 
• Set placement priorities for teams.
• Oversee Pathway Programs Coordinators, Rescue Coordinators, and Transport Coordinator.
• Assist in developing training materials – manuals, videos, etc. – to be used in foster training.
• Develop and update policies, procedures, & protocols; job descriptions; manage the program’s document inventory
• Develop and maintain foster resources & communications between staff, volunteers, and foster caregivers across departments and roles including leading and participating in orientations, presentations, committees, and town halls.
• Provide Manager on Duty responsibilities as needed. 

General Responsibilities:

• Identify next steps for desired outcomes.
• Develop a simple rubric to help determine priority and steps to ensure all opportunities for a positive outcome are met. 
• Collaborate with Animal Care Supervisors when needed to support playgroups and enrichment schedules for all species.
• Courageously, flag urgent/at risk animals. 
• Identify welfare needs.
• Provide guidance to the rescue coordinators to help identify critical priority animals and transports. Be the point of contact for after hours emergency rescue needs.
• Collect data from rounds and other sources to determine needs and placement options. 
• Compassionately connect animals with appropriate staff to make sure needs are met.
• Take responsibility to identify and implement technology to improve efficiencies in communication and processes related to efficiency and outcomes. 
• Track vehicle data and schedule general upkeep of vehicle fleet (2), address any maintenance issues as they arise. 
• Exhibit exceptional stewardship by tracking all data related to program challenges and successes. 
• Build a community of lifesaving foster partnerships with local dog trainers to help advance LifeLine’s mission to save lives.
• Create training, support, and recreation programs for adult dog foster caregivers including online training modules, dog foster manual, and other web, video, and written resources.
• Prepare and analyze departmental reports, metrics, and performance indicators to track progress and identify areas for improvement.
• Help build a community of animal welfare advocates by supporting and engaging the volunteers who aid the pathway teams.
• Respect, embrace and celebrate diversity by always operating with a judgement-free mindset when greeting and working with customers, staff, or vendors.
• Continue education by participating in LifeLine’s 40-hour annual training requirement.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

• Compassion for animals and the people who love and care for them.
• Ability to serve the public and fellow employees with honesty and integrity.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to interact effectively with diverse groups.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively.
• Proficiency in basic computer applications (e.g., MS Office, email) and experience with database systems is a plus.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop a team.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Demonstrated commitment to animal welfare and advocacy.
• Proficiency in using shelter management software and basic computer applications.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders and departments.
• Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities and a fast-paced work environment.
• Ability to prepare and maintain routine work records and reports.
• Proven ability to effectively supervise the work of assigned subordinates.
• Basic animal medical and behavior knowledge (preferred).
• Comfortable working with dogs and cats of all sizes, breeds, and temperaments.
• Ability to follow safety protocols and handle challenging situations with calmness and professionalism.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and to bend and reach to perform assigned work activities.
• Frequent walking and ability to lift 50-80 lbs. 
• Ability to conduct dog tests both on and off leash.
• Able to handle behavior evaluations with dogs and cats.
• Comfortable with leash walking dogs up to 110 lbs.
• Ability to handle seeing and dealing with animals that have been abused, neglected or treated cruelly. 
• Must be able to work weekends, holidays, and varying shifts based on shelter needs.
• Must have a means of travel that ensures prompt arrival for work shifts.
• Must pass a background check.

Education and/or Experience:

Minimum of high school diploma or equivalent. Bachelor's degree preferred.

Two or more years of leadership experience. 

One or more years’ experience in animal related field preferred. 

Minimum of 2 years of experience in a supervisory or managerial role.

Fear Free Sheltering Preferred.

Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this job, employee may be exposed to unpleasant kennel smells. May have to handle dogs and cats that are stray, injured, diseased or vicious.

Leadership:

• Coordinate shelter placement rounds and Focus Group. 
• Set placement priorities for teams.
• Oversee Pathway Programs Coordinators, Rescue Coordinators, and Transport Coordinator.
• Assist in developing training materials – manuals, videos, etc. – to be used in foster training.
• Develop and update policies, procedures, & protocols; job descriptions; manage the program’s document inventory
• Develop and maintain foster resources & communications between staff, volunteers, and foster caregivers across departments and roles including leading and participating in orientations, presentations, committees, and town halls.
• Provide Manager on Duty responsibilities as needed. 

General Responsibilities:

• Identify next steps for desired outcomes.
• Develop a simple rubric to help determine priority and steps to ensure all opportunities for a positive outcome are met. 
• Collaborate with Animal Care Supervisors when needed to support playgroups and enrichment schedules for all species.
• Courageously, flag urgent/at risk animals. 
• Identify welfare needs.
• Provide guidance to the rescue coordinators to help identify critical priority animals and transports. Be the point of contact for after hours emergency rescue needs.
• Collect data from rounds and other sources to determine needs and placement options. 
• Compassionately connect animals with appropriate staff to make sure needs are met.
• Take responsibility to identify and implement technology to improve efficiencies in communication and processes related to efficiency and outcomes. 
• Track vehicle data and schedule general upkeep of vehicle fleet (2), address any maintenance issues as they arise. 
• Exhibit exceptional stewardship by tracking all data related to program challenges and successes. 
• Build a community of lifesaving foster partnerships with local dog trainers to help advance LifeLine’s mission to save lives.
• Create training, support, and recreation programs for adult dog foster caregivers including online training modules, dog foster manual, and other web, video, and written resources.
• Prepare and analyze departmental reports, metrics, and performance indicators to track progress and identify areas for improvement.
• Help build a community of animal welfare advocates by supporting and engaging the volunteers who aid the pathway teams.
• Respect, embrace and celebrate diversity by always operating with a judgement-free mindset when greeting and working with customers, staff, or vendors.
• Continue education by participating in LifeLine’s 40-hour annual training requirement.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

• Compassion for animals and the people who love and care for them.
• Ability to serve the public and fellow employees with honesty and integrity.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to interact effectively with diverse groups.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively.
• Proficiency in basic computer applications (e.g., MS Office, email) and experience with database systems is a plus.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop a team.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Demonstrated commitment to animal welfare and advocacy.
• Proficiency in using shelter management software and basic computer applications.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders and departments.
• Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities and a fast-paced work environment.
• Ability to prepare and maintain routine work records and reports.
• Proven ability to effectively supervise the work of assigned subordinates.
• Basic animal medical and behavior knowledge (preferred).
• Comfortable working with dogs and cats of all sizes, breeds, and temperaments.
• Ability to follow safety protocols and handle challenging situations with calmness and professionalism.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and to bend and reach to perform assigned work activities.
• Frequent walking and ability to lift 50-80 lbs. 
• Ability to conduct dog tests both on and off leash.
• Able to handle behavior evaluations with dogs and cats.
• Comfortable with leash walking dogs up to 110 lbs.
• Ability to handle seeing and dealing with animals that have been abused, neglected or treated cruelly. 
• Must be able to work weekends, holidays, and varying shifts based on shelter needs.
• Must have a means of travel that ensures prompt arrival for work shifts.
• Must pass a background check.

Education and/or Experience:

Minimum of high school diploma or equivalent. Bachelor's degree preferred.

Two or more years of leadership experience. 

One or more years’ experience in animal related field preferred. 

Minimum of 2 years of experience in a supervisory or managerial role.

Fear Free Sheltering Preferred.

Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this job, employee may be exposed to unpleasant kennel smells. May have to handle dogs and cats that are stray, injured, diseased or vicious.