The Humane Advocacy Manager is responsible for operating all aspects of the Humane Advocacy department. East Bay SPCA’s Humane Advocacy department is a flagship human and animal support program that works to keep pets with their people and improve animal welfare in our community. 

The Humane Advocacy (HA) programs at East Bay SPCA prioritize making meaningful connections and helping pet owners in our community find veterinary care, financial assistance, or social services they need when they are unsure where to turn to help their pet. To achieve the mission of improving animal welfare in our community and supporting the human-animal bond, we have five HA programs: Pet Food Pantry, Spay/Neuter Vouchers, Hold for Home Temporary Boarding, Resources and Referrals, and the Veterinary Assistance Program.    

This position includes administrative duties, staff and client education, case management, veterinary social work, programmatic development and delivery, and effective interaction with staff, volunteers, and clients. The Humane Advocacy Manager works closely with clients and other social services providers to offer wraparound case management to clients who are frequently in crisis. As part of the leadership team, the manager is expected to be a positive representative of East Bay SPCA and create strong, professional relationships within the organization and with external stakeholders. This position works closely with the Vice President of Operations and Vice President of Medical Services to establish goals aligned with East Bay SPCA’s.  

Established in 1874, East Bay Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (East Bay SPCA) is proud to celebrate its 150th anniversary as one of the nation's oldest shelters and a leading innovator in the Bay Area region. East Bay SPCA is More Than a Shelter, transforming the lives of cats and dogs by enriching the human-animal bond through accessible and respected expertise. Serving Alameda and Contra Costa counties and beyond, East Bay SPCA is a local 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, operating independently of any national affiliation. Learn more at eastbayspca.org. 

Category: Full-time; Exempt  

Location: Mainly Oakland, occasional travel to Dublin, Spay/Neuter, and offsite events 

Reports to: Vice President of Operations 

Benefits: Medical, dental, PTO, paid holidays, 401(k) with employer contribution, discounted veterinary care benefits, life insurance, AD&D, STD, and LTD 

Responsibilities 

• Provide timely and compassionate support to individuals in crisis, assessing their needs and connecting them with appropriate resources and services. 
• Manage the Veterinary Assistance Program, which includes case management, invoicing, serving as a liaison between the veterinary clinic and the client, client communication and triage, and data management. 
• Onboard, mentor, manage, and provide support to Humane Advocacy staff member(s); including annual reviews, goal creation and evaluation, and programmatic supervision. 
• Oversee the Hold for Home program by evaluating cases, coordinating intake and redemption, and providing timely updates to pet owners and internal teams regarding pet and owner needs. As part of Hold for Home, provide wraparound case management through collaboration with other social services providers.  
• Supervise the Spay/Neuter Voucher program, with the day-to-day management belonging to the Humane Advocacy Coordinator. Monitor and update service costs, client communication, program information, reserved surgery slot numbers, and shared educational resources. 
• Manage the Pet Food Pantry, including pet food and supply acquisition, implementing distribution guidelines, partnering with human food banks, and overseeing staff and volunteer support for the program.  
• Ensure other organizational teams administering programs (i.e.: Community Medicine, Shelter) have appropriate training and all necessary client and program information. 
• Cultivate and maintain a network of community partners and resources that support the well-being of both human clients and their pets. This includes conducting monthly or quarterly check-in calls/touchpoints with each partner along with promoting East Bay SPCA’s programs at relevant community meetings. 
• Establish and cultivate opportunities with external veterinary clinic partners expanding Veterinary Assistance Program. Write and maintain MOUs.  
• Respond to electronic and telephone messages in a timely and appropriate manner. 
• Prepare and adhere to an annual operating budget for all Humane Advocacy programs and monitor actual expenses monthly. 
• Assist in acquiring funding for Humane Advocacy programs including grant discovery, application, oversight, and data collection as well as story preparation and distribution for donor communications.   
• Collaborate with the Marketing and Philanthropy Departments to collect and share stories and program impact reports.  
• Prepare annual goals for Humane Advocacy program and develop, implement, and monitor goal progression. 
• Maintain detailed statistics for all Humane Advocacy Programs.  
• Manage Casebook case management software platform, including implementation and utilization.  
• Maintain an up-to-date collection of resources and handouts for pet-related needs. 
• Review and approve invoices for payment of Humane Advocacy supplies and services. Includes invoicing external partners assisting with patient care costs, the submission of monthly credit card statements, and overseeing the correct coding and tracking of expenses. 
• Collaborate with the Volunteer Services Manager to recruit, engage, and train volunteers in appropriate roles supporting Humane Advocacy programs. 
• As part of the leadership team, cooperate and collaborate with the other departments, programs, and department heads, document and report any injuries or incidents in a proper and timely manner, and serve on relevant internal committees.  
• Create, implement, and statistically track new program areas or initiatives related to the ever- changing needs of the communities that we serve. 
• Work collaboratively with relevant Managers and VPs to ensure that necessary Humane Advocacy programs are staffed appropriately. 
• Ensure high visibility, brand recognition, and regular exposure of East Bay SPCA. Establish East Bay SPCA as a thought leader in the field of animal and human welfare in our community and industry.  
• Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual detailed reports of activities and achievements of the Humane Advocacy department.  
• Serve as a subject matter expert and train organization staff on best practices of case management, client interaction, and social service referrals. 
• Support and participate in special events and fundraisers as needed.  

Qualifications 

• At least two years of experience in case management and/or social work field. Master of Social Work degree strongly preferred.  
• Proven experience in program management – including goal setting, budget creation and adherence, and program assessment. 
• Ability to exhibit a high degree of attention to detail and task management; including ability to prioritize multiple concurrent urgent situations. 
• Experience assisting people with no income or low income in accessing resources. 
• Experience in an animal related field and handling dogs and cats. 
• Well-developed interpersonal skills and the ability to work with people of varying cultures and backgrounds by adapting style and tactics to fit the audience while reserving judgment.  
• Excellent verbal and written communication, active-listening, and de-escalation skills. 
• Ability to handle and lift animals and materials up to 50lbs with reasonable accommodations. 
• Familiarity with animal welfare issues. 
• Proficient in Office-based programs. Familiarity with Shelter Buddy, EzyVet, and Casebook software is beneficial. 
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as part of a team. 
• Ability to travel as needed throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties. 
• Ability to promptly respond to urgent and emergency situations.  
• Valid Driver’s license and insurable driving record. 
• Pre-employment background check and drug screening required. We do not screen for cannabis use. 
• Bi-lingual in English and Spanish preferred.  

Working Conditions 

• Work is performed in an animal shelter environment at Oakland and Dublin facilities with exposure to seasonal outdoor conditions as well as in a veterinary clinic. 
• Frequent exposure to members of the public experiencing personal crisis.  
• Must be available to work a flexible schedule as needed to respond to emergencies. Occasional evening or weekend work required. 
• Animal contacts and related injuries, including bites and scratches, may occur. 
• May occasionally handle sick, injured, or deceased pets. 
• Noise exposure varies and often includes uncontrolled barking and other animal vocalizations. 
• Animal waste contact, smells and visual exposure are prevalent. 
• Frequent walking, bending and stooping. 

About East Bay SPCA

The East Bay SPCA has been committed to the welfare of cats and dogs in the communities we serve since 1874. We strive to eliminate animal cruelty, neglect and overpopulation by providing programs and education that support people and companion animals. The East Bay SPCA’s veterinary services clinics are a cut above the rest. In 2015, we achieved accreditation from the American Veterinary Hospital Association (AAHA), placing us in the top 12% of veterinary clinics nationwide. The East Bay SPCA has long realized that the solution to the plight of homeless pets is not only more adoption homes, but access to spay and neuter surgery. The East Bay SPCA was one of the first animal welfare organizations in our community to direct that no animal would leave our facility unaltered. Since 1998, we have performed more than 150,000 surgeries! Our veterinarians and veterinary staff have seen it all: working with shelter animals as well as a healthy practice of privately owned animals.

Connections working at East Bay SPCA