Career Opportunities
Why Work with Furry Friends?
If you love animals and want to help address the homeless pet crisis in Florida, you’ve found the right place!
We offer competitive wages along with these great perks for full-time employees (after a probationary period):
- Heavily discounted visits, services, and prescriptions for your pets at our clinic
- An outstanding benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, along with an employee assistance plan
- Paid time off and holidays
- Professional development and lots of opportunities for growth
Take a look at our open positions below. If you would like to submit your resume for a position not listed here, please email hr@furryfriendsadoption.org.
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
The Director of Development leads all our fundraising efforts. This person is responsible for working closely with the organization’s president to access multi-channel fundraising to acquire new donors, deepen relationships with existing donors and raise the organization’s public profile.
Responsibilities
- Organize and coordinate all aspects of the organization’s fundraising programs to achieve annual fundraising goals
- Research and identify donors and implement strategies to foster positive relationships
- Establish and maintain friendly business communications with local business donors and sponsors (current and potential)
- Oversee all grant seeking including research, proposal writing, and reporting requirements.
- Coordinate and execute all aspects of all fundraising events
- Research and execute all non-event fundraisers (peer to peer campaigns, online, campaigns, etc)
- Manage donor database, gift processing and tracking using Bloomerang CSM and QGiv.
- Create reports post-event to analyze data and determine the effectiveness of the fundraising program
- Make public appearances to share information about the Furry Friends with the community. Maintain presence at community organizations/events (ie Chamber Meetings)
- Manage and grow relationships with estate planners and financial advisors to increase gifts through bequests and trusts
- Create detailed list of qualified high-net worth prospects and corporate sponsors
- Develop and execute a multi-year corporate engagement/funding program
- Develop and execute a long-term donor support and engagement model including one specific to high-net worth individuals
- Create content for print marketing materials related to fundraising (ie appeal letters, FB appeals, web site etc)
- Work closely with PR team by providing content and narratives for news stories, fundraising campaigns generated by news stories and social media (Host weekly FB Live segments)
Required Skills
- At least 5 years management experience in a non-profit;
- A strong and demonstrated commitment to providing excellent customer service
- Track record of creating and executing effective fundraising strategies across revenue streams, with success in soliciting and closing large gifts from individuals, foundations and corporations;
- Proven success of building long-term relationships with individual donors and institutions;
- Commitment to quality work, attention to detail, strong organizational and time management skills; the ability to meet daily deadlines and balance competing priorities
- Ability to deal with confidential information discreetly, ethically and prudently;
- Superb relationship management, interpersonal, and communication (written and oral) skills;
- Passion for animal rescue
DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS
Director of Programs Job Responsibilities
- Develop or approve budgets and operations.
- Hire and supervise new program managers for projects.
- Report detailed status updates to leadership and executive team.
- Apply change, risk, and resource management principles when needed.
- Work with leadership to set strategic goals and objectives for programs.
- Resolve problems between program teams and other internal stakeholders.
- Coordinate with program managers and other stakeholders to create detailed implementation plans. This includes deadlines, milestones, processes, and risk mitigation protocols.
- Provide processes for monitoring performance and collaborating with program teams to determine ways to improve.
Program directors interact with stakeholders across the organization, as well as outside vendors and consultants. Although their formal work hours typically align with the normal Monday through Friday, 9-5 framework, most seasoned program management professionals anticipate that those hours will vary based on whether a program is moving as planned.
Qualifications and Skills
- Proven track record as a successful program director, program manager, or project manager
- Experience managing teams through long, complex program implementations
- Knowledge of current program management methods and best practices
- Experience managing staff and budgets
- Excellent data analysis and reporting skills
- Strong problem-solving, negotiation, and communication skills
- Experience with industry-standard project management software and tools
Education & Experience Requirements
- Minimum of a BA
- Experience with progressive responsibility in program project management
- Experience managing budgets for multiple projects
If the spectacular playground of South Florida coupled with fulfilling work sounds appealing to you please contact us today: jgluck@furryfriendsadoption.org
VETERINARIAN
Furry Friends Adoption, Clinic and Ranch takes pride in cultivating a welcoming and supportive community and culture for our employees, and offers excellent benefits. Take a look for yourself. We offer competitive pay, medical, dental, vision, 401K, VIN membership or equivalent and generous PTO.
Location: Jupiter Florida (relocation assistance available)
Hiring Range: This position’s pay range is anticipated to be $120,000-$150,000 annually depending on experience.
Are you looking to expand your professional journey? Do you thrive in having days that are never the same, with unique and rewarding cases? Take your compassion and excitement for healing to the next level by joining the Furry Friends team. You will be working in gorgeous south Florida, living near the white sand beaches in a laid back environment while helping a small but mighty organization achieve its goals to serve our community.
We are seeking veterinarians who have professional interests that include:
- Urgent care and general practice
- Shelter medicine
- Soft tissue and an interest in learning orthopedic surgery
Our medical facilities include a modern clinic facility with dedicated surgery and dental suites, state of the art laboratory, x-ray suite, dental x-ray, and many more features. If the spectacular playground of south Florida coupled with fulfilling work sounds appealing to you please contact us today: jgluck@furryfriendsadoption.org
VETERINARY TECHNICIAN
Furry Friends Adoption, Clinic & Ranch is seeking caring, compassionate, and dedicated Shelter Veterinary Technicians with surgical experience to make a difference in the lives of pets and people in our community!
We’re looking for the best and brightest in our field to join a dedicated team at our state of the art shelter and clinic! We shelter dogs and cats–and we have a range of programs to help address the larger issues of pet over population and homelessness. Experienced Veterinary Technicians, this is your chance to help save animals and work for a more humane Florida!
Email your resume to hr@furryfriendsadoption.org. Be sure to note the position you’re applying for in the subject line.
We offer competitive wages along with these great perks for full-time employees (after a probationary period):
Heavily discounted visits, services, and prescriptions for your pets at our clinic
An outstanding benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, along with an employee assistance plan
Paid time off and holidays
Professional development and lots of opportunities for growth
Join our amazing team working to save lives every single day with our programs for pets and people!
Email your resume to hr@furryfriendsadoption.org. Be sure to note the position you’re applying for in the subject line.
Job Type: Full-time
Wage: $17.00 – $20.00 per hour
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Greeting clients, obtaining patient history and documenting in the electronic medical record
Assisting the veterinarian with physical exams
Client education and communication
Handle basic care duties, administering medication, collecting samples, and checking vitals
Assist with diagnostic imaging and lab work, including blood tests, analysis of urine samples and cytology
Provide assistance to the veterinarian during surgical procedures, this includes anesthetic monitoring and recovery of the patient
Cleaning and sterilizing instrumentation, stocking the exam and operating rooms, and confirming that equipment is all working properly
Maintaining clinic inventory
QUALIFICATIONS:
Clinical skills and an understanding of animal behavior and healthcare
Passion for working with animals and clients
Are compassionate, empathetic and meticulous
Possess stellar communication skills
Ability to prioritize and manage numerous different patient needs at one time
Willingness to take direction
2+ year of experience in a veterinary technician role
Knowledge of Avimark Veterinary Software preferred
Be able to comfortably lift 45 lbs
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Potential for standing/walking/bending up to eight to ten (8-10) hours a day.
Must be able to perform physical tasks like animal restraint, physical examinations of animals, scrubbing cages, cleaning floors and more.
Proficient in handling syringes and needles.
Quick reflexes and ability to use both hands simultaneously (example: open cage door while handling animal, react to escaping animal).
Ability to bend and squat in order to leash/harness, and/or pick up an animal.
Ability to see well enough to move safely around the building, distinguish animal body language, read instructions, and read an animal’s paperwork.
Ability to hear if an animal is giving warning signs, such as growling, yelping or hissing.
Ability to effectively communicate verbally.
Ability to cope with a very loud environment due to animal noises.
Must not have strong allergies to dogs, cats or other companion animals that can’t be managed by medication, or to chemicals used in grooming or cleaning.
Ability to deal with strong and unpleasant odors.
ADOPTION/EVENT COUNSELOR
The ADOPTION/EVENT COUNSELOR will work across departments, supporting the needs of the adoptions and events. This position requires an engaging personable manner along with weekend availibility. The Adoption Counselor will be responsible to find good homes for dogs and cats at the shelter and at off site adoption events, while creating a positive experience for prospective adopters. Additionally the counselor will advise people who are having a problem with their pet or wish to surrender their animal with the goal of resolving the situation in order to keep the
pet in the home.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Actively reaching out to and interacting with the general public, specifically talking with prospective adopters to find out what they are looking for in a pet.
- Ιnteracting with/getting to know the animals and talking with prospective adopters about them in order to make the best possible match.
- Providing high quality customer service to people who visit or call
- Working with volunteers to increase adoptions.
- Photographing adoptions and keeping records of positive adoption stories.
- Helping people through the adoption process, sharing information about animal care and behavior, reviewing adoption applications, interviewing applicants in a conversational way, making decisions to finalize or deny an adoption, and communicating with the applicant in such a manner that maintains a courteous and friendly attitude even when declining a request.
- Following up on adoptions by phone once the animal has been placed in the new home.
- Advising people who are having a problem with their pet and/or who want to surrender their pet, with the goal of keeping the pet in the home. This may occur in person, over the phone or via e-mail.
- Willingness and ability to learn about cat and dog behavior, common issues, and ways to address them in order to make good adoption matches and to keep animals in homes.
- Maintaining a friendly demeanor and providing good customer service while assisting with adoptions.
- Working courteously and cooperatively with other staff members.
- Facilitate and assist in pet adoption events, including (when applicable) processing adoptions at events
- Provide timely post-event follow up reports to supervisors
- Assist with other events as needed by the Volunteer and Events Coordinator
- Transport animals as assigned
- Bring pet food, litter, and other supplies from storage units to Furry Friends’ premises
- Keep go home adoption bags for dogs and cats stocked
- Keep adoption go home folders stocked
- Keep prevention cabinet at front desk stocked
- Take new photos for SL and write bios
- Maintain Catfe area/ Inventory of coffee and supplies
QUALIFICATIONS
- Fear Free shelter certified or willing to become certified within 30 days of hire
- Familiarity with Shelterluv, Volgistics, and Google Suite a plus
- High comfort level working in a fast paced environment
- Customer-centric focus
- Ability to lift and carry objects up to 50lbs
- Team player who supports Furry Friends mission and promotes our mission to the public
- Team player who supports all team members within the organization
- Strong interpersonal skills. The ideal person for this job would be personable, outgoing, patient, professional, and able to get along well with a variety of people.
- Maturity, good judgment and a professional personal appearance.
- The ability to ask appropriate questions to gather information along with the ability to feel and show empathy for others.
- The ability to turn people down, firmly when necessary, without becoming aggressive or unpleasant.
INTAKE/TRANSPORT COORDINATOR
Intake and Transport Coordinator
Jupiter, FL
The Intake and Transport Coordinator makes decisions about whether to intake an animal to Furry Friends, and serves as the first point of contact for partner organizations interested in transferring an animal to Furry Friends, and for shelters interested in working with Furry Friends either as source shelters or destination shelters.
In the Intake space, this position is responsible for all aspects of intake including: communicating with members of the public and shelters/rescues requesting intake; making intake decisions following the guidelines set out below; and coordinating intakes to set all incoming animals up for success.
In the Transport space, this position develops new partnerships and strengthens existing ACO partnerships, works with source and destination shelters to ensure transports are carried out safely and without incident, and ensures all administrative and technical needs for transport are met.
In both spaces, ensure adequate housing and supplies for shelter intake animals and transport animals
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Intake (50%)
- Communicate with all parties requesting intake of an animal by Furry Friends.
- Refer people seeking to surrender an owned animal to the Surrender Prevention and Training and Behavior – when appropriate.
- Determine which animals Furry Friends will intake. Consult with the Director of Shelter Medicine, Director of Behavior and Training and the Executive Director when appropriate.
- In keeping with Furry Friends’ mission to serve as a partner and resource to neighboring ACCs, prioritize intake requests from open admission, high volume shelters in the state of Florida. Any requests for intake by organizations outside of the state of Florida must be approved by the Executive Director.
- Ensure all relevant intake paperwork is completed.
- Provide weekly reports on intakes to the Administration. These reports include: the number of intake requests broken down by requestee (Shelter Partner, Owner Surrender, Stray, etc) and the number of intakes conducted.
- Work with the Foster Coordinator, Canine and Feline Care Teams and Adoption Counselors to triage incoming pets, ensuring that all dogs and cats entering Furry Friends have a clear pathway to live release.
- Work with the Foster Coordinator to match incoming pets with the ‘on-deck’ list of available foster homes.
- Track all intake and outcome-related data as requested.
Transport (50%)
- Builds and maintains strong working relationships with partner organizations.
- Assists with presentations to potential partner organizations, particularly destination shelters.
- In collaboration with Furry Friends’ administration, sets standards and requirements for both origin and destination shelter partners.
- Understands the challenges faced by staff at animal care organizations and treats all of these staff with kindness and compassion at all times.
- Ensures compliance of Furry Friends’ Rescue Express transport with all applicable import regulations.
- Coordinates all aspects of transport with stakeholders including origin and destination shelters, state regulatory agencies, drivers, and Furry Friends’ administration.
- Ensures all applicable forms and paperwork including but not limited to travel manifest and on-board documentation, animal behavioral and health records are completed.
- Maintains transport schedule and makes travel arrangements for drivers.
- Travels with the transport when assigned to do so by Furry Friends’ administration; trains and assigns alternate animal caretaker travelers when needed
- Prepares and executes contingency plans for unforeseen travel delays
- Ensures the highest safety standards for animal transport are observed at all times.
- Encourages collaboration between origin and destination shelters whenever possible.
- Ensures transport vehicle(s) are properly stocked and pre-transport checks are performed prior to all transports.
- Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s Degree required.
- Minimum 2 years experience in animal shelter adoptions and/or administration.
- Ability to handle all intake inquiries with kindness and compassion.
- Fluency with Google Suite, including Docs, Sheets, and Slides. High comfort level with Canva a plus.
- Understanding of the multitude of challenges faced by small, medium, and high volume animal care organizations.
- Engaging program spokesperson and relationship builder
- Demonstrated ability to work successfully on transports from open admission/municipal shelters.
- Expert at handling multiple tasks on tight deadlines
- Understanding of applicable animal transport laws and regulations.
- Team player who supports the overarching objectives of Furry Friends’ Rescue Express and will work to achieve them.
Canine Caretaker
Job Title: Canine Caretaker (Full Time)
Location: Palm City
Reports to: Canine Pathway Supervisor
Position Summary: Under the direction of the Canine Pathway Supervisor, Animal Caretakers are responsible for the daily care, exercise, feeding and general well-being of the dogs in our care.
Culture Statement and Responsibility: We value attitude over aptitude, and we treat Kindness as a discipline because it is paramount in our culture along with our other core values.
Key Responsibilities:
Maintain a safe workplace, valuing, and modeling safe work practices, adhering to organizational safety practices and rules, and communicating about unsafe practices and conditions.
Demonstrate kindness and the Golden Rule in our everyday actions by practicing inclusion and respect for every person for the value they bring to the table. Be a role model for the spirit of authenticity, kindness, and positive influence with each other, our visitors, volunteers as well as to the animals every day.
Understand and follow Furry Friends’ protocols for cleaning, feeding, exercising and monitoring the well-being of the dogs in our care.
Keep all areas clean and free of clutter at all times.
Assist with meet and greets and other adoption activities.
Assist with play groups
Provide kennel enrichment.
Work in partnership with the behavior team to develop plans for the needs of each dog in Jupiter and the ranch.
Other duties as assigned.
Required Skills and Experience:
Customer-centric, non-judgmental approach to engaging with adopters, partners, visitors, volunteers, and colleagues; familiarity and comfort with an open adoption process.
Ability to work with, leash, kennel, walk, and handle all dogs, including those with health and/or behavior conditions/concerns; basic ability to identify and speak to medical and behavioral characteristics of dogs.
Resourceful, get-it-done attitude; an initiative to assist in any area or process; problem-solving, seeking answers independently and enthusiastically; the flexibility to persist until goals are achieved.
Strong interpersonal skills, a team player, personable, professional, and able to get along with people from different backgrounds.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with well-developed organization skills to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands
Daily hours and days of the week may vary according to the needs of the department schedule; the position includes weekends, nights, and holiday work.
1 year of professional animal care experience preferred
Physical and Other Requirements:
Must be able to:
Routinely lift 40 pounds and perform daily strenuous activity including, but not limited to lifting, carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, cleaning, and bending.
Work on your feet for eight hours daily.
Work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions including extreme heat and cold.
Exposure to dogs, cats, and other animals of all sizes, temperaments, and medical status.
Daily hours and days of the week may vary according to the needs of the department schedule; the position includes weekends, nights, and holiday work.
Exposure to cleaning products and disinfectants.
Feline Caretaker
Job Title: Feline Caretaker (Full Time)
Location: Palm City
Reports to: Feline Care Supervisor
Position Summary: Under the direction of the Feline Care Supervisor, Feline Caretakers are responsible for the daily care, exercise, feeding and general well-being of the cats in our care.
Culture Statement and Responsibility: We value attitude over aptitude, and we treat Kindness as a discipline because it is paramount in our culture along with our other core values.
Key Responsibilities:
Maintain a safe workplace, valuing, and modeling safe work practices, adhering to organizational safety practices and rules, and communicating about unsafe practices and conditions.
Demonstrate kindness and the Golden Rule in our everyday actions by practicing inclusion and respect for every person for the value they bring to the table. Be a role model for the spirit of authenticity, kindness, and positive influence with each other, our visitors, volunteers as well as to the animals every day.
Understand and follow Furry Friends’ protocols for cleaning, feeding, exercising and monitoring the well-being of the cats in our care.
Keep all areas clean and free of clutter at all times.
Assist with adoption activities
Provide kennel enrichment.
Work in partnership with the behavior team to develop plans for the needs of each cat in Jupiter and the ranch.
Other duties as assigned.
Required Skills and Experience:
Customer-centric, non-judgmental approach to engaging with adopters, partners, visitors, volunteers, and colleagues; familiarity and comfort with an open adoption process.
Ability to work with cats in a safe and humane manner.
Resourceful, get-it-done attitude; display initiative to assist in any area or process; problem-solving, seeking answers independently and enthusiastically; the flexibility to persist until goals are achieved.
Strong interpersonal skills, a team player, personable, professional, and able to get along with people from different backgrounds.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with well-developed organization skills to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands
Daily hours and days of the week may vary according to the needs of the department schedule; the position includes weekends, nights, and holiday work.
Knowledge of basic cat behavior and an understanding of cats and their needs is preferred
Physical and Other Requirements:
Must be able to:
Routinely lift 40 pounds and perform daily strenuous activity including, but not limited to lifting, carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, cleaning, and bending.
Work on your feet for eight hours daily.
Work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions including extreme heat and cold.
Exposure to dogs, cats, and other animals of all sizes, temperaments, and medical status.
Daily hours and days of the week may vary according to the needs of the department schedule; the position includes weekends, nights, and holiday work.
Exposure to cleaning products and disinfectants.
Assistant Trainer
Location: Jupiter and Palm City
Reports to: Director of Training and Behavior
Position Summary: Under the direction of the Director of Training and Behavior. Handlers are responsible for working with shelter dogs alongside trainers and other handlers, facilitating playgroups, providing enrichment and basic obedience training to enhance the quality of life, improve adoptability and shorten length of stay.
Culture Statement and Responsibility: We value attitude over aptitude, and we treat Kindness as a discipline because it is paramount in our culture along with our other core values.
Key Responsibilities:
Maintain a safe workplace, valuing, and modeling safe work practices, adhering to organizational safety practices and rules, and communicating about unsafe practices and conditions.
Demonstrate kindness and the Golden Rule in our everyday actions by practicing inclusion and respect for every person for the value they bring to the table. Be a role model for the spirit of authenticity, kindness, and positive influence with each other, our visitors, volunteers as well as to the animals every day.
Training both independently and in group sessions with other trainers and handlers.
Assist with meet and greets and other adoption activities.
Assisting with group classes and orientations as needed.
Provide kennel enrichment.
Work in partnership with animal caretakers to develop plans for the needs of each dog in Jupiter and the ranch.
Assisting trainers with playgroups
Other duties as assigned.
Required Skills and Experience:
Customer-centric, non-judgmental approach to engaging with adopters, partners, visitors, volunteers, and colleagues; familiarity and comfort with an open adoption process.
Ability to work with, leash, kennel, walk, and handle all dogs, including those with health and/or behavior conditions/concerns; basic ability to identify and speak to medical and behavioral characteristics of dogs.
Resourceful, get-it-done attitude; an initiative to assist in any area or process; problem-solving, seeking answers independently and enthusiastically; the flexibility to persist until goals are achieved.
Strong interpersonal skills, a team player, personable, professional, and able to get along with people from different backgrounds.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with well-developed organization skills to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands
Daily hours and days of the week may vary according to the needs of the department schedule; the position includes weekends, nights, and holiday work.
1 year of professional dog training experience preferred
Knowledge of basic dog behavior and an understanding of learning theory in dog training.
Physical and Other Requirements:
Must be able to:
Routinely lift 40 pounds and perform daily strenuous activity including, but not limited to lifting, carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, cleaning, and bending.
Work at a computer or driving a car for extended periods of time with repetitive typing, sitting, arm, and hand motion.
Work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions including extreme heat and cold.
Exposure to dogs, cats, and other animals of all sizes, temperaments, and medical status.
Daily hours and days of the week may vary according to the needs of the department schedule; the position includes weekends, nights, and holiday work.