Ponca City Development Authority
Shelter Manager
Ponca City, OK - Full Time
Position Summary
The Shelter Manager provides strategic and operational leadership for all daily shelter responsibilities at Northern Oklahoma Humane Society. This role ensures exceptional animal welfare, operational excellence, and a high-performing team culture while supporting the organization’s mission to improve animal outcomes and serve the community.
Reporting to and working in close partnership with the Executive Director, the Shelter Manager leads animal care operations, admissions, adoptions, staff performance, volunteer coordination, facility standards, and regulatory compliance. This position plays a key role in strengthening systems, improving processes, and advancing the organization’s impact.
Key Leadership Responsibilities
● Lead and oversee all daily shelter operations, including animal care, intake, housing, sanitation, and adoption programs, ensuring consistent welfare and operational standards.
● Supervise, develop, and hold accountable shelter staff, building a culture of performance, professionalism, and teamwork.
● Strengthen operational systems and workflows, implement standard operating procedures, and monitor performance through data-informed reporting.
● Manage operational resources and facility standards, including supply management, expense oversight, and a clean, safe environment.
● Provide oversight of animal welfare and medical coordination, working with the contract veterinarian on treatment protocols and participating in humane euthanasia decision-making with leadership and veterinary partners.
● Resolve complex customer and community concerns with professionalism, sound judgment, and compassion. ● Support organizational initiatives that improve animal outcomes, operational effectiveness, and community impact.
Required Qualifications
● High school diploma or equivalent (Associate or Bachelor’s degree preferred).
● Minimum three (3) years of experience in an animal shelter or comparable animal care environment.
● Minimum three (3) years of customer service experience.
● Professional experience, including leadership or supervisory responsibilities, is preferred
● Strong communication, conflict resolution, and decision-making skills.
● Ability to manage emotionally challenging situations with professionalism.
● Professional alignment with humane euthanasia as a necessary component of animal welfare when appropriate.
● Valid driver’s license with an insurable driving record.
Skills & Competencies
● Leadership Versatility — Ability to lead diverse teams, adapt leadership style, and manage competing priorities.
● Leading Change — Comfort driving operational improvements, implementing new processes, and strengthening organizational systems.
● Accountability & Team Development — Builds clear expectations and supports staff performance.
● Operational Excellence — Strong organizational skills and commitment to process improvement.
● Clear Communication — Direct, professional, and compassionate communication.
● Emotional Resilience — Ability to lead in a fast-paced, emotionally demanding environment.
● Financial Awareness — Responsible stewardship of resources and operational budgets.
Physical & Work Requirements
● Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds or more with or without reasonable accommodation.
● Ability to work in a shelter environment with noise, cleaning chemicals, animal dander, and potential animal bites or scratches.
● Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
● Occasional in-state travel may be required.
The Shelter Manager provides strategic and operational leadership for all daily shelter responsibilities at Northern Oklahoma Humane Society. This role ensures exceptional animal welfare, operational excellence, and a high-performing team culture while supporting the organization’s mission to improve animal outcomes and serve the community.
Reporting to and working in close partnership with the Executive Director, the Shelter Manager leads animal care operations, admissions, adoptions, staff performance, volunteer coordination, facility standards, and regulatory compliance. This position plays a key role in strengthening systems, improving processes, and advancing the organization’s impact.
Key Leadership Responsibilities
● Lead and oversee all daily shelter operations, including animal care, intake, housing, sanitation, and adoption programs, ensuring consistent welfare and operational standards.
● Supervise, develop, and hold accountable shelter staff, building a culture of performance, professionalism, and teamwork.
● Strengthen operational systems and workflows, implement standard operating procedures, and monitor performance through data-informed reporting.
● Manage operational resources and facility standards, including supply management, expense oversight, and a clean, safe environment.
● Provide oversight of animal welfare and medical coordination, working with the contract veterinarian on treatment protocols and participating in humane euthanasia decision-making with leadership and veterinary partners.
● Resolve complex customer and community concerns with professionalism, sound judgment, and compassion. ● Support organizational initiatives that improve animal outcomes, operational effectiveness, and community impact.
Required Qualifications
● High school diploma or equivalent (Associate or Bachelor’s degree preferred).
● Minimum three (3) years of experience in an animal shelter or comparable animal care environment.
● Minimum three (3) years of customer service experience.
● Professional experience, including leadership or supervisory responsibilities, is preferred
● Strong communication, conflict resolution, and decision-making skills.
● Ability to manage emotionally challenging situations with professionalism.
● Professional alignment with humane euthanasia as a necessary component of animal welfare when appropriate.
● Valid driver’s license with an insurable driving record.
Skills & Competencies
● Leadership Versatility — Ability to lead diverse teams, adapt leadership style, and manage competing priorities.
● Leading Change — Comfort driving operational improvements, implementing new processes, and strengthening organizational systems.
● Accountability & Team Development — Builds clear expectations and supports staff performance.
● Operational Excellence — Strong organizational skills and commitment to process improvement.
● Clear Communication — Direct, professional, and compassionate communication.
● Emotional Resilience — Ability to lead in a fast-paced, emotionally demanding environment.
● Financial Awareness — Responsible stewardship of resources and operational budgets.
Physical & Work Requirements
● Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds or more with or without reasonable accommodation.
● Ability to work in a shelter environment with noise, cleaning chemicals, animal dander, and potential animal bites or scratches.
● Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
● Occasional in-state travel may be required.
Compensation, Benefits & Relocation Incentive
- Salary: $40,000–$45,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications
- Paid time off accrual
- Health insurance benefits in development
- Supportive leadership team
- Opportunity to help strengthen and improve shelter operations
Talent Relocation Incentive
NOKHS participates in the Ponca City Development Authority (PCDA) Talent Relocation Program, which provides eligible newly hired employees relocating to Ponca City with a relocation incentive.
Eligible employees must meet program requirements, including:
- Be newly hired by a participating employer
- Relocate from at least 45 miles outside Ponca City or relocate from out of state
- Establish primary residence within Ponca City
- Remain employed locally for at least one year
- Earn a minimum base salary of $42,500
- Only one person per household may participate
Eligible employees who lease housing may qualify for a $2,500 relocation incentive, while those who purchase a home may qualify for a $4,500 relocation incentive. The incentive is administered through the participating employer and is subject to PCDA program requirements and verification.
