Job Description
Job Description
About the Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA)
For more than 150 years, the Humane Rescue Alliance has championed the protection of animals, support for people, and service to the community. With campuses in the District of Columbia and New Jersey, along with the nation’s leading pet transport initiative, it stands as the largest and most comprehensive animal services provider in the region. Each year, HRA transforms the lives of tens of thousands of animals through rescue and adoption, humane protection, access to medical care, innovative community programs, and legislative leadership. Its broad reach and deep expertise enables HRA to reimagine traditional sheltering and address the most complex challenges facing animals and the people who love them.
Position Summary
The Transport Coordinator will oversee and optimize the movement and management of animals within the shelter and foster programs, ensuring that animals are efficiently and safely placed in foster homes, adopted, or transferred to appropriate locations to support the organization’s lifesaving goals. This position will also be responsible for coordinating and managing animal transport operations, including inter-shelter and out-of-state transport programs, as well as fostering relationships with partner organizations to expand capacity for animal movement. The Transport Coordinator will collaborate closely with the Director of Foster and Volunteer Programs, the Director of Pet Support, Animal Care, Enrichment, and Behavior Director (and their designees), and other departments to ensure smooth and efficient animal flow, minimizing shelter population density while maximizing the welfare and safety of all animals.
Key Responsibilities:
- Animal Flow Management:
- Oversee and manage the daily population flow of animals in the shelter and foster programs, ensuring that animals are moved between the shelter, foster homes, and adoption events in a timely and efficient manner.
- Monitor LOS and outcome options for animals needing placement outside the shelter
- Monitor shelter capacity and assess the need for foster placements, maximizing foster home utilization to reduce shelter population density in coordination with the foster department.
- Ensure the safe and humane transportation of animals, following proper protocols for animal handling, safety, and comfort.
- Maintain a diverse population of animals in the shelter available for adoption
- Animal Transport Operations:
- Oversee the coordination and logistics of animal transport programs, including transfers between partner shelters, out-of-state adoptions, and emergency transport during disaster situations.
- Build and maintain relationships with transport partners, shelters, and rescue organizations to create a network for moving animals in and out of the facility.
- Develop and manage transport schedules, ensuring that animals are transferred in a safe and timely manner.
- Maintain accurate records of all transport-related activities, including animal details, transport dates, and partner organizations involved.
- Must be knowledgeable about preparing and processing health certificates required for animal transport across state lines.
- Collaborative Planning and Communication:
- Work closely with medical department to ensure we are following protocols for safe transports of healthy animals
- Collaborate with Director of Pet Support to review population of animals in shelter to help guide incoming animal decisions
- Work with behavior team on transport options for more complex behavior cases and explore outcomes
- Communicate regularly with team members, stakeholders, and external partners to ensure the smooth flow of information and coordination of animal movement.
- Data Management and Reporting:
- Track and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to animal flow, including transport frequency, and shelter population statistics.
- Use data to identify trends and areas for improvement in animal movement and placement.
- Provide regular reports to the Director of Pet Support on program performance, challenges, and progress towards goals.
- Maintain up-to-date records of animal flow activities, including intake, transport, and adoption data.
- Team Leadership and Staff Development:
- Recruit, hire and manage transport personnel, as determined.
- Foster a collaborative and solution-oriented environment within the team, encouraging innovative approaches to animal flow management.
- Support ongoing professional development and training for staff members involved in animal movement.
- Program Development and Process Improvement:
- Continuously evaluate and refine the organization’s animal flow processes, identifying areas for efficiency improvements and opportunities for growth.
- Develop and implement new strategies for enhancing foster home placement, transport partnerships, and animal flow operations.
- Stay informed of best practices in animal transport and shelter management to ensure the organization’s programs are efficient, humane, and effective.
Qualifications and Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in animal science, nonprofit management, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
- Minimum of 2 years of experience in animal welfare, shelter management, or related fields.
- Experience managing animal flow and transport logistics
- Strong organizational and multitasking skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple programs and operations simultaneously.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to work effectively with staff, volunteers, external partners, and the community.
- Knowledge of animal welfare principles and shelter operations.
- Ability to manage data and utilize technology for tracking and reporting purposes.
- Strong leadership and team-building skills, with a collaborative approach to problem-solving.
- Passion for animal welfare and commitment to the organization’s mission of lifesaving and community support.
- Must possess a valid driver’s license at the time of hire and maintain a satisfactory driving record; this is a requirement for consideration for this role.
Physical Requirements and Work Environment
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to stand, kneel, and bend for extended periods of time.
- Comfort with working around animals of various sizes and temperaments.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with frequent deadlines and changing priorities.
- Some evening and weekend work may be required for special events or urgent transport needs.
- Work in both office and shelter environments, including exposure to animal waste, cleaning chemicals, and animal care activities.
Education and Experience
- Multilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
- Minimum 2 years of progressively responsible experience working either in an animal shelter environment, volunteer coordination, customer service, and/or study of social work.
Compensation and Benefits
- Hourly rate, commensurate with experience.
- Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, and retirement savings.
- Professional development opportunities.
- Rewarding work with a mission-driven team making a lasting impact.
Ready to Make an Impact?
Apply today and become part of a team where your compassion, skills, and commitment will directly save lives and strengthen communities.
*The Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA) offers a comprehensive benefits package including healthcare, vision, dental and select offerings for pets. Additional information may be provided upon request.
*Multilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. A salary premium may be offered for multilingual candidates who demonstrate proficiency in written and oral testing.
*HRA is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate because of race, color, creed, gender, religion, national origin, disability, age, pregnancy, genetic predisposition or carrier status, marital status, citizenship status, or sexual orientation. Accommodation will be provided to qualified individuals requiring them.