Greater Birmingham Humane Society
Director of Outreach & Education
POSITION SUMMARY
The Greater Birmingham Humane Society (“the GBHS”) is a progressive animal welfare shelter whose mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome homeless, abused, neglected, and abandoned animals. We are committed to an open admissions policy, animal rehabilitation and a low euthanasia rate. GBHS’ open intake and adoption philosophy is a key part of our progressive mission, enabling us to save and rehome thousands of animals each year.
In addition, the Director provides strategic leadership and oversight for GBHS's Intake and Community Support Services programs. This includes management of animal intake operations, owner surrender services, intake diversion initiatives, pet retention programs, and community resource assistance. The Director ensures intake practices support organizational capacity, animal welfare objectives, positive customer experiences, and GBHS's commitment to managed admissions while maximizing opportunities to keep pets safely housed with their families whenever possible.
The Director of Outreach & Education (“the DOE”) assists the Chief Program Officer (“the CPO”) with the implementation of GBHS’ program priorities and strategies with the goals of:
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Increasing Outreach and Education visibility and engagement within the community.
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Securing funding for growing education and outreach programs; and,
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Advancing our partnerships with local schools, businesses, and like-minded organizations.
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Supervises Outreach & Education personnel, Intake personnel, and associated volunteers. Collaborates closely with Animal Care, Medical, Foster, Rescue, Admissions, and Field Services departments to ensure effective shelter population management and coordinated animal admissions.
This position requires a comprehensive approach to engaging audiences of all ages and inspiring a love of animals and responsible pet ownership in community youth.
PRIMARY RELATIONSHIPS
The Director:
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Reports to the CPO and serves as a member of the GBHS management team.
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Works with Director of Development (“the DOD”) to source new funding and grants for outreach and education programming.
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Works with the Volunteer Manager to recruit, train, and supervise Outreach & Education volunteers; and,
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Supervises the Outreach & Education department personnel.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The Director of Outreach & Education develops, coordinates, implements, and oversees education activities, outreach projects, and disaster coordination promoting humane interactions between pets and people.
Specific responsibilities include:
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Develop and present educational programs to a wide variety of community groups, with audiences of varying ages and backgrounds.
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Develop and coordinate outreach projects and events
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Work closely with the Marketing Department to promote all educational and outreach programming to schools, families, and the general audiences including press releases, advertisements, public service announcements, interviews, direct mail, email, website, social media, and brochures
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Work closely with the Development Department to secure funding for educational programs including delivering presentations, writing program descriptions, histories, and long-term planning, researching, and writing grant proposals, proofreading sponsorship proposals, and participating at special events and functions related to education
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Responsible for the recruitment and training of Outreach & Education staff and volunteers
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Financial oversight of the programs budget
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Plan, administer, oversee, and manage enrollments for all camps and workshops
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Oversee coordination and running of camps/workshops including hiring teachers, creating curriculum, communicating with community members and parents, locating, and booking space, and keep accurate data on child/parent satisfaction and participation statistics
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Oversee and manage Outreach & Education staff
Outreach
The DOE has primary responsibility for growing and deepening GBHS’ relationships with business and organizations in the Greater Birmingham area relating to programs with Education and Outreach.
Specific responsibilities include:
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Work with leadership team to develop and implement a comprehensive and innovative outreach plan targeting individual, private, corporate, school, and other organizations
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Research and assist in developing plans for expanding presence and visibility in the community
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Assist the Volunteer Manager in the recruitment and engagement of outreach volunteers
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Represent GBHS at events and programs, when possible, including grantee events, and share stories and photos with the Marketing staff for incorporation into our storytelling.
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Cultivate community support by maintaining and initiating contacts with individuals, business, and organizational leaders throughout the community.
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Attend conferences and or trainings for skilled development as needed.
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Prepare plans and procedures for responding to natural disasters and other emergencies and coordinates with other partners
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Help lead the response during and after emergencies
Education:
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Develops and implements curriculum for audiences of varying ages and backgrounds.
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Coordinates and oversees the education programs and educational community events.
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Coordinates and oversees promotional tours, presentations, and other associated activities.
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Develop collaborative relationships with other service agencies, schools, and businesses inside and outside of school programs
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Develops educational materials in accordance with the mission of GBHS
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Assist the Volunteer Manager in the recruitment and engagement of outreach volunteers
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Stays current with progressive teaching methodology and advancement and child development. Pursues continuing education related to humane topics and maintains a strong network of professional humane educators.
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Works with animals of varying sizes and temperament, handling individual animals in a caring and respectful manner.
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Ensures that educational programs are culturally sensitive and applicable to the needs of the community. Addresses sensitive issues within the education setting with highest degree of discretion, judgement, empathy, and professionalism.
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Provides support and information to other departments, as needed.
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Promotes responsible pet ownership and pet retention through educational programming and community outreach initiatives designed to reduce unnecessary shelter admissions.
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Utilizes intake and surrender trend data to inform educational campaigns and community engagement efforts.
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Oversee all intake services, including owner surrenders, adoption returns, managed intake appointments, and intake diversion efforts.
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Ensure intake procedures are conducted professionally, compassionately, and consistently while balancing community needs with organizational capacity.
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Develop, implement, and monitor programs designed to reduce unnecessary shelter admissions through surrender prevention and pet retention initiatives.
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Oversee community assistance programs that support pet owners, including resource referrals, pet food assistance, transportation resources, veterinary assistance referrals, behavioral support resources, and other diversion strategies.
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Monitor shelter capacity and collaborate with Animal Care, Medical, Foster, Rescue, Admissions, and Executive Leadership to align intake decisions.
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Establish and maintain intake protocols, documentation standards, and customer service expectations.
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Review intake data, surrender trends, and community needs to identify opportunities for program improvements and strategic resource allocation.
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Ensure accurate collection and reporting of intake statistics, program outcomes, and grant-related metrics.
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Manage intake-related grants, community assistance funds, and resources used to support surrender prevention efforts.
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Oversee intake staff training related to customer service, conflict resolution, animal welfare, data collection, and intake procedures.
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Assist in resolving escalated customer concerns and emotionally sensitive situations involving animal admissions, owner relinquishment, and community support requests.
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Develop partnerships with social service organizations, animal welfare groups, veterinary providers, and community organizations to support pet retention and responsible pet ownership.
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Ensure compliance with organizational policies, applicable regulations, and best practices related to animal admissions and shelter intake management.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
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Directly trains, leads, motivates, assigns, and supervises outreach/education personnel and volunteers in performing daily duties in accordance with department policies, on campus and at offsite events.
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Carries out management responsibilities in accordance with policies and applicable laws, including but not limited to, hiring, terminations, performing periodic evaluations and annual evaluations, counseling, disciplinary action on an ongoing basis with personnel and volunteers as needed.
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Assures that employees and volunteers assigned to the department are complying with operational and personnel policies.
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Provides leadership to resolve disputes and mediates complaints at the lowest possible level.
Participate as a Member of the Management Team:
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Take an active role in the visioning and evaluation of new, complicated, and ambitious projects as appropriate.
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Participate in the development, articulation, and tracking of organizational strategic planning.
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Trouble shoot organizational challenges with the management team as needed.
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Support and co-create a warm and positive culture at GBHS
WORK ENVIRONMENT
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This work is performed in a high noise level area.
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Safety procedures must always be adhered to.
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There is exposure to industrial cleaning chemicals, fumes, dust, animal odors/fur/feces, and zoonotic (human to animal) diseases.
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While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to an indoor office environment climate condition. The employee is occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions.
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Employees must have manageable allergic conditions that could be aggravated when animals are present in the workplace.
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Work often requires the ability to control, lift and carry animals, equipment, or supplies handled at the facility - employees at GBHS must be comfortable interacting with animals.
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While performing the duties of this job, the employee is consistently required to sit and or stand for long periods of time.
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In addition, the employee is constantly required to talk, hear, and use hands for grasping, reaching and other operative tasks.
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The employee will also be required to bend their neck and twist body.
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The employee will be required to occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
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Work will require interacting and directing, as necessary, GBHS volunteers and community service workers.
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Weekend and evening work may be required during special events or emergencies.
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Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.
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Ability to develop and maintain positive and effective working relationships with co- workers, volunteers, community organizations, vendors, and members of the public while working independently and collaboratively.
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Ability to work a varied schedule to include evenings, weekends, and holidays.
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Ability to handle and restrain fractious animals. Candidates must be committed to treating animals with compassion and respect.
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Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
QUALIFICATIONS
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Demonstrated ability and experience building on an existing development program.
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Excellent project management and organization skills.
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Strategic thinking and creative approach to problem solving, linked to practical and effective implementation.
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Strong work ethic and ability to maintain and model high personal, ethical, and professional standards, as well as an outgoing and positive personality.
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
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Ability to meet and exceed goals.
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Strong computing skills (i.e., MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Outlook, and Internet Explorer).
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Passion for the mission of GBHS and a sense of humor are required.
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Superior customer service experience and skills, including positivity, friendliness, tact, sound judgment, and a love of working with people.
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Ability to work in a team oriented and frequently changing environment.
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Must support the GBHS’ mission, policies, and practices.
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Ability to work courteously and cooperatively with volunteers, staff, and the public.
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Strong interpersonal skills – outgoing, patient, professional, and able to get along well with a variety of people.
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Ability to handle multiple tasks and work in a fast-paced environment under sometimes tight deadlines.
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Strong written and oral communication skills.
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Ability to read, write and understand English.
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Ability and initiative, working with minimal supervision and direction.
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Familiarity with animals, animal care, knowledge of animal behavior, and experience working with animal welfare.
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Proficiency in Microsoft Windows and Office, especially Word, Excel, and Outlook; comfortable learning and using online information systems.
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Must have the ability to deal tactfully and effectively with the public.
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Ability to maintain personal boundaries in the face of highly emotional situations.
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Possession of a valid driver’s license.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree in Child Development, Education, Psychology, Non-Profit Management, or related field. (Professional level work experience may be substituted for bachelor’s degree requirement.) One year of professional level work experience may be substituted for each year of required education, up to a maximum of four years. A High School Diploma or GED is required when substituting professional level work experience for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
One (1) to three (3) years’ experience in a supervisory capacity in Humane Education, Education, Animal Shelter, or related non-profit organization.
The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job.
EEO STATEMENT
GBHS is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of GBHS to provide EEO to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status regarding public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
