GUNNISON VALLEY ANIMAL WELFARE LEAGUE
Animal Shelter and Adoption Center
Shelter Manager Job Description – Non-Exempt Employee
October 2025
Gunnison Valley Animal Welfare League (GVAWL) is committed to protecting the health and well-being of companion animals in our community. We shelter homeless, abandoned, and lost animals, striving to place them into safe and caring homes, and provide education and services to enhance the lives of community members and their companion animals. GVAWL works in close partnership with both the City and County of Gunnison and is licensed and regulated by the State of Colorado Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act (PACFA). Our shelter facility is located at 98 Basin Park Drive, Gunnison, CO. The shelter currently maintains open hours for the public and availability by appointment when possible.
The GVAWL Shelter Manager will be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations and activities of the animal shelter. Duties include ensuring that shelter animals receive proper care, maintaining the facility and equipment, training and managing shelter volunteers and the shelter assistant, and ensuring that all required documentation is complete and accurate. The Manager is expected to exhibit excellent communication and interpersonal skills working with the public, volunteers and Board of Directors, while always maintaining a professional attitude.
Salary for this position is up to $50,000 annually (depending on experience) and paid personal time. A stipend for health care may be available. This is a full-time, exempt, year-round position.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Oversee all aspects of the shelter’s animal intake and outcome processes, as well as owner relinquishments, foster care and other GVAWL programs.
- Supervise daily cleaning, feed and disease control routine of the animals in the shelter, and of the shelter facility.
- Supervise animal care volunteers and the shelter assistant.
- Maintain all required documentation including Animal Information Records (AIR), volunteer records, and shelter operations information as necessary.
- Maintain and/or properly dispose of all confidential information with the strictest of confidence, agreeing that such information shall be used only for the purposes of fulfilling specific Manager duties and never disclosed to any outside source without specific instruction and approval of the Board of Directors.
- Ensure adherence to all policies, procedures, and protocols.
- Coordinate animal and organizational advertising with committee.
- Maintain open hours for the public per the schedule mutually agreed upon by the Manager and the Board of Directors.
- Monitor and purchase shelter supplies. Monitor and coordinate shelter repairs or maintenance.
- Work with, and train as required, City Neighborhood Services personnel, Sheriff Department personnel, and other law enforcement officers.
- Work effectively with all veterinarian offices, scheduling animal care appointments as needed and arranging transport to and from the vet.
- Educate shelter visitors and the public, whenever possible, about how to properly care for companion animals.
- Manage all concerns and/or complaints from volunteers and/or the public in a respectful manner, informing the Board when applicable.
- Attend monthly Board meetings (3rd Thursday 6:30pm-8:30pm) and keep Board apprised of general shelter status and any concerns arising that cannot or should be handled at the Manager level.
- Attend, and assist with, GVAWL fundraisers.
- Organize and attend non-fundraising GVAWL activities whenever possible, such as Pet Expo, various adoption events, and community parades and public events.
- Assures the organization and its mission, programs, products and services are consistently presented in a strong, positive manner.
- Participates in the planning and presentation of educational information for the public concerning GVAWL goals and objectives.
- Maintain specified hours of availability for GVAWL business as well as flexible hours.
- Suggested “on-duty” hours
Tuesday 9am-5pm
Wednesday 11am-7pm
Thursday 9am-5pm
Friday 11am-7pm
Saturday 10-2
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- Adoption Hours
Wednesdays 4pm-7pm
Fridays 4pm-7pm
Saturdays 10am-2pm
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Two years’ experience working with the public.
- Demonstrated decision-making ability, including under times of stress.
- Skilled in tact and diplomacy.
- Demonstrated computer skills using Microsoft Office, Google Docs, email programs, and online reporting sites.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to quickly learn procedures.
- Ability to maintain accurate records, including but not limited to: Animal Information Records (AIR), Excel Animal Log, Incident Forms, volunteer files.
- Able to use personal vehicle for shelter business, animal transports, etc. Provide current proof of vehicle insurance.
- Valid Colorado driver’s license.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university.
- Relevant management experience in an animal shelter environment is preferable.
- Experience with recruitment, retention, and supervision of volunteers is preferable.
- Experience working with other agencies, e.g. law enforcement officers, other animal shelters.
- Veterinary Technician, Veterinary Assistant or Animal Behavior certifications (please provide pertinent records)
- Basic skills in handling funds, credit card payments, and accepting donations delivered to the shelter and acknowledging such appropriately.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Must perform a variety of tasks including sitting and standing, lifting up to 50 pounds repetitively, typing, writing, answering the phone, filing, cleaning/sanitizing, and managing animals.
OTHER POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
- Annual PACFA report
- Monthly Shelter Animals Count Report
- Maintain specified “office hours” as well as flexible hours
- Answer phone messages and GVAWL emails in a timely fashion
HOW TO APPLY
Resumes and cover letters may be sent to gvawlcentral@gmail.org. The position will remain open until filled.
