Manager, Animal Services & Integrated Care – Full Time

Monday to Friday  |  37.5 hours per week | 

At Calgary Humane Society (CHS), we are dedicated to delivering individualized, humane support that enhances animal wellbeing and helps each animal move toward a successful placement. Reporting to the Director of Community Services and Pathway Planning, the Manager, Animal Services & Integrated Care provides leadership to the Animal Wellness & Behaviour Services team (AWBS), aligning wellness practices, behavioural programming, and a volunteer‑integrated service model. This role helps ensure consistent, force‑free, evidence‑based approaches that reduce stress, encourage behavioural progress, strengthen adoption outcomes, and expand capacity through the effective integration of trained volunteers alongside staff.

Responsibilities:

·         Design and lead the volunteer‑integrated service model for AWBS, including role design, onboarding, training, competency checks, quality assurance, and recognition.

·         Integrate volunteers into AWBS operations in clearly defined, competency‑based roles that expand capacity and support consistent service delivery.

·         Partner with the Volunteer Engagement team to scale meaningful, animal‑facing volunteer opportunities aligned with AWBS needs.

·         Equip staff to effectively mentor, coach, and collaborate with volunteers in a unified team environment.

·         Maintain and elevate standards for housing, handling, cleanliness, and overall welfare across species within AWBS.

·         Build systems that ensure individualized wellness, behaviour, and stress‑reduction plans are implemented consistently and adjusted as animals progress.

·         Guide the delivery of science‑based, force‑free approaches that reduce stress, support behavioural recovery, and improve adoptability.

·         Support population‑management decisions and maintain animal flow, helping forecast capacity and plan for intake so CHS can make space for the next animal in need.

·         Lead the strategy in aligning wellness practices, behavioural programming, documentation, and daily routines.

·         Unify AWBS practices, systems, and workflows to create a seamless experience for each animal, from intake through adoption.

·         Translate observations and daily rounds into structured pathways with clear actions, timelines, milestones, and success metrics.

·         Foster a culture of compassion, accountability, and evidence‑based work across staff and volunteers.

·         Working closely with the Animal Flow Specialist, oversee the development of individualized, history‑informed pathways that integrate medical, behavioural, and placement considerations.

·         Lead the Behaviour function in creating structured enrichment and behaviour plans that promote measurable behavioural progress.

·         Ensure all handling and interactions are intentional, humane, and consistent with positive‑reinforcement principles.

·         Maintain and develop SOPs, policies, and safety standards for AWBS.

·         Set goals with the Director; track key metrics and drive continuous improvement across wellness, behaviour, and volunteer‑integrated operations.

·         Ensure accurate documentation within shelter software systems.

·         Support storytelling efforts by contributing program insights, welfare highlights, and behavioural updates.

·         Represent CHS at donor events, volunteer events, community outreach, and media engagements as needed.

·         Provide written content that reflects the impact and mission of AWBS and CHS’s broader work.

Education & Experience:

·         Minimum 3 years’ experience in animal welfare, sheltering, or related fields.

·         Minimum 4 years of formal leadership experience with both staff and volunteer teams (or volunteer‑dependent operations).

·         Hands‑on experience with multi‑species handling and wellbeing practices.

·         Behaviour certification (e.g., CPDT‑KA, KPA) is an asset or willingness to obtain certification.

·         Strong understanding of animal welfare, wellness, enrichment, and force‑free behavioural principles.

·         Experience creating and improving operational workflows and pathway systems.

·         Excellent coaching, mentorship, and team‑building skills.

·         Proficiency in Microsoft 365 and shelter database systems.

·         Strong communication, analytical, and decision‑making skills.

Core Competencies:

·         Compassionate, calm, and collaborative leadership style that builds trust.

·         Flexible, resilient, and solutions‑oriented in dynamic environments.

·         Strong relationship‑building skills with staff, volunteers, and external partners.

Additional Requirements:

·         Valid Class 5 driver’s license and clean abstract.

·         Successful candidate will be required to provide a police information check at their own expense to be arranged by Calgary Humane Society.

·         Flexibility for occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Physical Requirements:

·         Comfortable and capable of handling a variety of species (e.g., cats, dogs, rabbits, birds, reptiles, rodents).

·         Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

·         Ability to perform repetitive motions of sitting, standing, reaching, lifting, squatting, bending, walking, and pulling.

Benefits & Perks:

CHS is proud to support the wellbeing of our employees through a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including:

·         100% employer-paid health and dental benefits for employees and dependents.

·         Annual Wellness Spending Account.

·         Vision coverage.

·         Paid vacation time, sick time, flex and wellness days, and your birthday off.

·         Matching RSP contributions.

·         Professional development opportunities.

·         Discounts on CHS products and services, including adoption fees.

·         Access to Employee and Family Assistance Program.

·         Access to reduced-rate counseling services.

Annual Salary:

CHS offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience and education.

Closing date: March 1, 2026

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please. 

Please visit our careers page to see more job opportunities.