About the Opportunity
Located in New York’s Hudson Valley, Catskill Animal Sanctuary (CAS) rescues
farmed animals from cruelty and neglect, ignites social change to end their exploitation,
and champions plant-based living.
The Shelter Director is a key leadership role responsible for the overall wellbeing of the
animal residents and ongoing maintenance of the sanctuary’s facilities and grounds.
This full-time onsite position oversees the day-to-day operations of the animal care and
facilities management teams, ensuring the highest standards of care and a safe, clean,
and enriching environment for the animals, staff, volunteers, and visitors. The Shelter
Director reports to the Executive Director and is an active member of the CAS Senior
Leadership Team, participating in executive-level decisions regarding organizational
policies, practices, and programs.
About Catskill Animal Sanctuary (CAS)
Situated on approximately 100 acres of mixed pasture and forest in Saugerties, New
York, CAS welcomes farmed animals from life-and-death situations and provides
exceptional individualized care for the remainder of their lives. Since 2001, CAS has
saved thousands of animals through direct rescue and rescue assistance, and
countless more through innovative programming that invites people to understand
transformative truths about our relationship with farmed animals and to align their
lifestyles with their values of kindness and compassion.
About New York’s Hudson Valley
Nestled in the heart of the scenic Hudson Valley, Saugerties is a vibrant town in a
region known for its outdoor adventures, including rock climbing, hiking, skiing,
kayaking, mountain biking, and sailing. The area also boasts excellent wineries,
distilleries, and breweries; a thriving music, arts and literary scene; and diverse dining
options. Within the town, the charming village of Saugerties offers an array of
restaurants, independent bookstores, and unique retail shops. Residents appreciate its
convenient location to the iconic town of Woodstock, the bustling college hubs of New
Paltz and Rhinebeck, plus its easy access to New York City (two hours south) and
Albany (one hour north). With its rich culture and natural beauty, Saugerties and the
surrounding area is a wonderful place to call home!
Key Responsibilities
Animal Care Leadership
-Lead and support a dedicated team of approximately fifteen staff with a
combination of direct reports and care staff, fostering a culture of compassion
and respect.
- Work in collaboration with managers and leads to continually improve animal
care protocols, ensuring they align with best practices in sanctuary-level care.
- Oversee the training and professional development of sanctuary care staff,
ensuring all team members are equipped to deliver the highest quality of care.
- Support the Health Care team as they coordinate medical care in partnership
with local and specialty veterinarians, farriers, and other sanctuaries/rescues.
- Coordinate the intake, quarantine, and integration of new residents, serving as
the primary decision-maker for rescues and surrenders based on the sanctuary’s
current capacity-for-care.
- Work with the animal care manager and health care leads on animal quality-of-
life evaluations and compassionate end-of-life decisions.
- Responsible for development and implementation of emergency response plans.
- Ensure effective coordination of volunteers to support sanctuary operations.
- Willingness to ‘jump in’ to support sanctuary operations as needed.
Facilities & Grounds Oversight
- Oversee the maintenance and functionality of sanctuary buildings, grounds,
equipment, and enclosures, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for the
animals, staff, and volunteers.
- Work with the Buildings & Grounds Manager to coordinate repair projects and
seasonal work (e.g. winterization, pasture rotation, natural resource
management).
- Maintain relationships with outside vendors and contractors to coordinate
sanctuary services (e.g. lawn maintenance, trash removal, tree work).
- Support procurement of supplies and equipment for infrastructure maintenance.
- Manage capital expense budget projects from inception to completion.
Administrative Responsibilities
- Responsible for the effective hiring, onboarding, and ongoing evaluation of new
staff within the animal care, health care, and buildings & grounds departments.
- Manage payroll and time-off approval for animal care and facilities staff.
- Manage annual sanctuary budget for animal care and facility maintenance.
- Responsible for annual performance reviews of all sanctuary care staff.
- Collaborate with the Executive Director and other leadership to ensure alignment
on goals, resource allocation, strategic planning, and policy development.
- Lead and ensure completion of end-of-life protocols when an animal has passed.
- Responsible for maintaining all necessary documentation for animal care,
medication handling, veterinary records, and facility maintenance.
- Contribute to the sanctuary’s educational mission by supporting public tours,
programs staff training, and media opportunities when necessary.
- Coordinate onsite reviews and certifications for third-party organizations.
- Maintain positive relationships with volunteers, vendors, and visitors.
- Serve as an on-call responder for urgent animal or facility- related emergencies.
Qualifications
- Deep commitment to the mission and guiding principles of CAS.
- Proven experience in animal care with a strong knowledge of equine and farmed
animal species, their behavior, and their needs in a sanctuary setting.
- 3-5 years of management experience with a proven leadership approach that
reflects a strong commitment to staff wellbeing, psychological safety, and
cultivation of a supportive, inclusive environment.
- Familiarity with facilities and grounds maintenance in a farm-like setting.
- Proven ability to lead, mentor, and manage diverse teams in a physically and
emotionally demanding environment.
- Excellent skills in communication, time management, and problem solving.
- Experience with budgeting, financial planning, and resource management.
- Foundational office experience with email, spreadsheets, and documentation.
- Flexibility to work long hours, including weekends and holidays, and respond to
emergencies as needed.
- Ability to work outside all weather conditions.
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
Preferred Qualifications
- Degree or certification in Animal Science, Veterinary Technology, or a related
field is a plus; direct animal care experience will be considered equivalent to
formal education.
- Experience with sanctuary machinery preferred (driving tractors, operating
trailers, handling large equipment, etc.).
- Familiarity with the unique challenges of animal rescue work, including burnout
and compassion fatigue.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
- The Shelter Director role is full-time onsite based at our Saugerties, NY location.
- This position involves physically demanding work in all weather conditions.
- Must be able to lift up to 50+ lbs. and work safely around and with large animals.
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive salary based on experience (range $70k-$85k).
- Health benefits, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.
-Employee Assistance Program that can be accessed 24/7.
- 401(k) plan.
Non-Discrimination Policy
Catskill Animal Sanctuary (CAS) is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to
creating an inclusive, respectful, and diverse workplace where all employees are
valued. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin,
religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital
status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We
celebrate diversity and encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.
Application Instructions
Please email the following to Hilary Edwards, Senior HR Specialist, at
[email protected]. No phone calls please. Due to the large volume of applications,
we are unable to respond to every submission.
-Cover Letter: A personalized letter explaining your interest in the position,
relevant skills and experience, and why you’re a good fit for Catskill Animal
Sanctuary.
- Resume/CV: A detailed document highlighting your work and leadership
experience, education, skills, non-profit work, commitment to animal
welfare/protection, and any relevant certifications.
- References: A list of 3 professional references who can speak to your
qualifications and experience.
-Background Check Consent is required.
Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? If you believe that you could excel in this
role, we encourage you to apply!
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $70,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
Ability to Commute:
- Saugerties, NY 12477 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Saugerties, NY 12477: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
