One Paw Away Dog Hotel & Resort | Morristown, NJ
Full-Time | Approx. 50 Hours/Week | Salary: $45,000–$50,000/year (based on experience)
DO NOT APPLY unless you have direct professional experience working in a dog daycare, dog boarding, kennel, pet resort, grooming, or animal care facility. Personal pet ownership or experience with your own animals alone does NOT qualify for this role. We are specifically seeking candidates with hands-on industry experience, including dog grouping, team leadership, customer service, and daily pet care operations in a professional setting.
About Us
One Paw Away is a premium dog daycare, boarding, grooming, and puppy kindergarten resort built around elevated care, structure, safety, and exceptional customer service. We are seeking an experienced, hands-on Assistant Operations Manager to support both back-of-house dog care operations and front desk guest service while helping lead our growing team.
Position Overview
This role is best suited for an experienced leader from a dog daycare, boarding, kennel, or pet resort environment who can confidently support daily dog care operations, team leadership, guest experience, grooming coordination, closing shifts, and weekend management coverage.
This is a leadership role requiring prior dog care management experience and strong operational knowledge.
Responsibilities Back of House Operations:
- Assist in leading daycare + boarding group management
- Safely group dogs by size, temperament, and energy level
- Oversee dog handling, enrichment, feeding, medication administration, and sanitation
- Help implement daily checklists, SOPs, and operational standards
- Support team accountability, safety, and efficiency
- Maintain premium care standards
Front Desk + Guest Services:
- Support reservations, tours, phone calls, and guest communication
- Assist clients with daycare, boarding, and grooming reservations
- Help coordinate grooming schedules, appointment flow, and guest communication for grooming services
- Support customer service, memberships, and sales initiatives
- Work collaboratively with front desk leadership
- Help uphold guest satisfaction and resort standards
Leadership:
- Support management team with daily oversight
- Lead closing shifts
- Provide weekend operational leadership
- Help train and support staff
- Assist with implementing sales, reservation, and operational procedures
Requirements REQUIRED:
- Prior management or leadership experience in dog daycare, boarding, kennel, grooming coordination, or pet resort
- Dog grouping expertise
- Boarding + daycare operational knowledge
- Feeding + medication administration experience
- Strong customer service and reservation management skills
- Ability to assist with grooming scheduling and guest coordination
- Strong team leadership skills
- Excellent communication and organizational skills
- Ability to implement procedures and checklists
- Weekend + closing shift availability
- Team-player mentality with strong work ethic
Compensation + Benefits
- Salary: $45,000–$50,000 annually (based on experience)
- PTO (accrued)
- Sick Time (accrued)
- 30 / 60 / 90 day reviews
- Growth opportunities within expanding company
- Clear path toward higher leadership roles
Schedule
Approx. 50 hours/week, including:
- Weekday shifts
- Closing shifts
- Weekend coverage/support
Ideal Candidate
You are reliable, experienced, team-oriented, operationally strong, and passionate about dogs. You can confidently support dog care operations, assist with front desk and grooming reservations, lead teams, and help maintain a premium, structured, and safe environment.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $44,633.16 - $50,568.96 per year
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
Application Question(s):
- Do you have at least 2 years of management or leadership experience in a professional dog daycare, boarding facility, kennel, pet resort, or grooming facility?
- How many dogs have you personally supervised in a single group at one time?
Fewer than 10
10–20
20–40
40+
- Describe your experience grouping dogs by temperament, size, and play style.
(Short answer)
- Have you been responsible for leading a team during an entire shift?
Yes
No
- Approximately how many employees have you directly supervised?
None
1–5
6–10
10+
- Which of the following have you been responsible for? (Select all that apply)
☐ Managing daycare playgroups
☐ Boarding operations
☐ Feeding and medication administration
☐ Client communication
☐ Scheduling staff
☐ Training employees
☐ Delegating daily tasks
☐ Grooming coordination
☐ Handling customer concerns
☐ Opening/Closing a facility
- This position possibly requires approximately 50 hours per week, including possible weekends and closing shifts. Are you able to consistently work this schedule?
- Do you have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation?
Yes
No
- This position is physically demanding and requires standing for long periods, lifting up to 50 pounds, cleaning kennels, and working outdoors in all weather conditions. Are you able to perform these duties?
Yes
No
- Describe your management style and how you hold team members accountable.
- Tell us about a time you had to address an employee performance issue. What did you do?
- How do you prioritize tasks when the facility is busy and multiple situations require immediate attention?
- How comfortable are you handling large-breed dogs (75+ pounds), including strong pullers and high-energy dogs?
- Can you commit to excellent attendance, including no planned vacations or extended time off during your first 90 days of employment?
- What interests you about One Paw Away, and why are you looking for your next leadership opportunity?
Work Location: In person
