Careers

Description:
Be a part of a veterinary team to provide high quality medical care to all of the animals in the Ruff Start Rescue foster program. This position will provide you with experience and knowledge regarding shelter medicine in its quick paced environment. Multi-tasking skills are essential and the drive to learn is needed. Providing education to fosters and caretakers as well as expressing compassion is a must. CVT’s are preferred, however technicians and assistants with 1 year or more experience will be accepted. Training on-site will be provided. The Senior Vetting Manager will create new staffed positions under the Vetting department to recruit, train, and retain more direct reports under their leadership.

Ruff Start Rescue is a foster home-based Non-Profit 501c3, No-Kill dog and cat rescue based in Central Minnesota. We rescue stray, neglected, abandoned, and surrendered dogs and cats as well as ferrets, guinea pigs, rabbits, and other critters. We work very hard to place them in new loving homes. Ruff Start Rescue is dedicated to saving the lives of at-risk animals. We also collaborate, communicate, and educate about the importance of animal rescue and welfare.

If you have an interest in shelter medicine and do not shy away from difficult cases and are eager to learn about the more uncommon diseases and conditions sometimes seen in the rescue, you should apply! This position will stretch your knowledge and expand your skill-set as a veterinary technician.

Availability: At least 40+ hours a week.

This position oversees:

• Vet Techs
• PT Foster Medical Support staff
• Vetting Department Volunteers

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Train staff and prepare for incoming out of state transports
• Communicating and educating foster homes and the public.
• Oversee onsite Veterinary Technicians and perform annual reviews
• Provide support to the Veterinary Technicians
• Train new volunteers and maintain relationships with the various internal and external volunteers within the vetting department
• Support adopters with medical concerns on a regular basis.
• Maintain existing relationships with partner clinics and create new partnerships
• Lead Foster Medical Support Coordinators and provide direction for difficult cases
• Recruit volunteers to assist on surgery days and out of state transports
• Review invoices from partner clinics for error
• Track specialty cases and budget for those cases
• Review monthly budget breakdown and make changes if necessary

Qualifications:

• Veterinary knowledge and background, preferred 2+ years CVT experience.
• Access to the internet on a daily basis.
• Smartphone required.
• Understanding of all animal breeds.
• Familiarity with animals, knowledge of animal behavior, and experience working with animal welfare programs is preferred..
• Prior experience overseeing staff members preferred.

Personal Characteristics:

• Demonstrates honesty, integrity and discretion. Skilled at handling sensitive and confidential situations.
• Strong interpersonal skills – outgoing, patient, professional, and able to get along well with a variety of people. .
• Ability to show compassion and empathize with the foster families.
• Work as a team player, supporting the overall goals of the organization.
• Possibility-driven, proactive, personable, energetic, collaborative and tactful.
• Brings a strong drive for results, while maintaining a calm approach to managing change and working through unexpected or challenging situations.
• Well organized.
• Deep and abiding passion to professionally advocate Ruff Start Rescue’s position on key animal welfare and No Kill issues.

Salary: $40,000

Benefits:

• Health insurance will be available for employees after the 90 day trial period. RSR will pay 50% of the employee’s monthly premium.
• Retirement plan with a up to a 3% employee contribution available after a 90 day trial period.
• Optional insurance options available after probationary period – you pay 100% premium at a discounted group rate.
  • Short term disability
  • Life Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Accident Insurance
  • Hospital Indemnity Insurance
  • Critical Illness Insurance
  • Cancer Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
• Vacation leave upon completion of probationary period – 10 PTO days prorated in your first year.
• Professional development courses covered up to $200 annually.

Reports to: Director of Programs

How to Apply: Submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to apply@ruffstartrescue.org

Overall Summary and Description:
Are you passionate about bringing multiple areas of animal welfare expertise together working with a team to optimize the overall well-beings of animals? If so, the role of Senior Placement Manager might be for you. This position is responsible for the success of Ruff Start Rescue’s animal foster and adoption programs. This position oversees multiple staffed positions which are responsible for ensuring all animals in the organization’s care, along with all people involved, have the best lifesaving experience. The senior placement manager will play a large role in driving forward the mission of the organization by evaluating potential opportunities for growth and creating innovative approaches to implement on all aspects pertaining to foster and adoption care. The senior placement manager will create new staffed positions under the placement department to recruit, train, and retain more direct reports under their leadership.

Availability: Ability and willingness to allow for a flexible schedule is key. This is a salaried position with a time commitment of at least 40 hours a week. Typical schedule would be M-F 8am – 4pm or 9am – 5pm in the Princeton, MN office with occasional weekends filling in as needed if direct reports need assistance or coverage. Weekend help would most likely consist of remote duties, with occasional assistance helping at transport if your team needs help or is unable. Daily emailing and/or phone calls is a must. We do have set office hours but there may be times you go over these hours if needed depending on your job duties.

This position oversees:

• 3-4 FT Foster Managers
• 3 Application Managers
• 1 Adoption Manager
• 3-4 internal volunteer roles (lost dog coordinator, etc.)
• **Eventually this position will create and recruit key manager positions that will likely oversee the above positions, leaving this position to oversee 2-3 FT staff members.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• You will oversee, direct, and evaluate the duties of all foster, application and adoption managers.
• Develops, implements and monitors placement programs to maintain and improve the standards of humane animal care and customer services to the animals and the community.
• Ensures quality of placement program and services are in accordance with the organization’s procedure and values.
• Develops and implements program enhancements to ensure the continued growth and progress in relation to annual and future goals.
• Collaborates with the vetting team to ensure that medical needs are identified, animals are receiving timely medical and surgical care and that treatments are being performed in accordance with the organization’s policy, mission, and resources.
• Develops and maintains the organization’s emergency and disaster plans.
• Work with Senior Medical Manager on matters concerning animal health.
• Maintains department monthly and yearly statistics.
• Continuously assesses all aspects of the placement department and support services to facilitate and reinforce the effectiveness of strategic plans.
• Is visible to staff, communicates with directors on significant developments within the department.

Specific Job Skills and Requirements:

• Preferred leadership and financial management experience.
• Able to lead and motivate groups and individuals. Able to think creatively and strategically to successfully mediate and negotiate with individuals and groups internally and externally. Able to effectively manage a staff, multiple deadlines and tight time constraints.
• Access to the internet on a daily basis. Must have a laptop to bring with to meetings.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communications skills.
• Minimum high school diploma required.
• Must be 18+ and have reliable transportation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Windows and office, especially word and excel.
• Proficiency using Gmail preferred, including google drive. (was google docs)
• Ability to take initiative and work with minimal supervision and direction.
• Ability to work courteously and cooperatively with all members of RSR and the public. Collaboration skills are a must to value differences, build rapport and discuss Ruff Start policies, procedures and changes effectively.

Meetings/Participation:

• Reports to the board 1x a year and gives a presentation/update on the department (located in Princeton, MN).
• Attend/take part in yearly volunteer picnics or appreciation events.
• Attend and take part in any major events where the leadership team should be present.

Personal Characteristics:

• Demonstrates honesty, integrity and discretion. Skilled at handling sensitive and confidential situations.
• Maturity and good judgement.
• Work as a team player, supporting the overall goals of the organization.
• Possibility-driven, proactive, personable, energetic, collaborative and tactful.
• Brings a strong drive for results, while maintaining a calm approach to managing change and working through unexpected or challenging situations.
• Well organized.
• Respect for all people and animals.
• Must be able to approach problem solving logically, research history, avoid biases and focus on what is in the best interest of the rescue data to draw the right conclusions—even under pressure.
• Deep and abiding passion to professionally advocate Ruff Start Rescue’s position on key animal welfare and No Kill issues.

Salary: $40,000 annually

Benefits:

• Health insurance will be available for employees after the 90 day trial period. RSR will pay 50% of the employee’s monthly premium.
• Retirement plan with a up to a 3% employee contribution available after a 90 day trial period.
• Optional insurance options available after probationary period – you pay 100% premium at a discounted group rate.
  • Short term disability
  • Life Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Accident Insurance
  • Hospital Indemnity Insurance
  • Critical Illness Insurance
  • Cancer Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
• Vacation leave upon completion of probationary period – 10 PTO days prorated in your first year.
• Professional development courses covered up to $200 annually.

Reports to: Director of Programs

Applicants, please note: to be considered for this position, you must submit a cover letter in addition to a resume to apply@ruffstartrescue.org.

Role Description: We are seeking compassionate and driven relief veterinarians with shelter medicine experience that can fill in and perform high quality, high volume spay and neuter surgeries. If you are an experienced vet, more recent graduate, or someone interested in venturing into relief, we want to hear from you!

Ruff Start Rescue veterinarians are responsible for the compassionate veterinary care for all RSR owned animals, including but not limited to surgical services within the surgeon’s skill level, medical treatment and diagnosis of rescue animals. Services and surgeries will take place on site in Princeton, MN at our facility.

Salary: Based off experience

Reports to: Senior Medical Manager and Director of Programs

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Oversee all aspects of assigned patients, including (but not limited to) physical examination, surgery; pre and post-operative care, anesthetic protocols, patient monitoring and emergency response.
• Provide high quality, high volume spay and neuter surgeries, as well as additional surgical procedures and dentistry within the surgeon’s skill level for the animals within the rescue and partner rescues.

Qualifications:

• DVM Degree with active veterinary license, in good standing in the State of Minnesota
• Ability to perform high volume high quality spay neuter; preferred candidates need at least 2 years of anesthetic and surgical experience
• Demonstrated knowledge of shelter medicine
• Supervisory knowledge to include training methods, motivation and decision making techniques.
• Ability to train and effectively direct medical staff and overall organizational medical activities

Personal Characteristics:

• Demonstrates honesty, integrity and discretion. Skilled at handling sensitive and confidential situations.
• Strong interpersonal skills – outgoing, patient, professional, and able to get along well with a variety of people.
• Ability to show compassion and empathize with the foster families.
• Work as a team player, supporting the overall goals of the organization.
• Possibility-driven, proactive, personable, energetic, collaborative and tactful.
• Brings a strong drive for results, while maintaining a calm approach to managing change and working through unexpected or challenging situations.
• Well organized.
• Deep and abiding passion to professionally advocate Ruff Start Rescue’s position on key animal welfare and No Kill issues.

How to apply: Submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to apply@ruffstartrescue.org with “Relief Veterinarian, DVM” in the subject line.

**Candidates who do not follow application instructions and/or do not send all requested documents will not be considered**

Reports to: Board Chair

Role: To serve as a voting member of the Board of Directors

Term: Two Years

Time Expectations:

• Attend and participate in monthly board meetings.
• Participate actively in one or more committees of the board. Provide feedback and input to committee reports.
• Attend scheduled board retreats, planning meetings, workshops, and other board development activities.
• Attend, support, and participate in at least two signature organizational events, the annual holiday event, and the fundraising gala.
• Ability to check your organizational email several times per week and respond in a timely manner.

Obligations:

• Show passion in furthering the mission of Ruff Start Rescue®.
• Stay informed about the organization’s mission, services, policies, and programs.
  • Engage actively in strategic and policy-making decisions.
• Make a personal annual financial contribution of at least $1,000 and assist the organization in finding additional donation sources.
• Participate and support any capital campaigns.
• Follow developments in community, economy, government, etc., that may affect the organization.
• Promote the organization to others and participate in fundraising.
• Build working relationships that contribute to consensus.
• Suggest nominees to the board who can make significant contributions.
• Assist the board in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities by ensuring adequate financial resources; oversee financial and risk management.
• Select, evaluate, appoint, and, if necessary, terminate the executive director.
• Monitor the community and professional image of the organization and provide feedback to the board and leadership.

Note

• Board members have no individual authority separate from the board.
• Board members are expected to support decisions of the board, regardless of personal desires and/or opinions.

BOARD MEMBER DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Devote adequate time to faithfully perform the responsibilities of being a board member.
• Set policies for organizational operation.
• Establish fiscal policy and boundaries, including budgets and financial controls.
• Provide adequate resources for the activities of the organization through a commitment to fundraising.
• Develop and maintain a communication link to the community by acting as an advocate.
• Ensure that the organization’s Articles and Bylaws are being followed.
• Be familiar with the organization’s goals, objectives, and programs.
• Read preparation materials prior to each board meeting.
• Make sure the organization keeps a written, permanent record of all board official actions.
• Be certain the organization is fulfilling all aspects of its nonprofit and tax-exempt status.
• Know the budget, budget process, and financial situation of the organization.
• Pursue action if there are warning signs that something is wrong.
• Ask questions concerning those policies, practices, issues, and circumstances you do not understand.
• Insist on meaningful board meetings with full disclosure of operating results.
• Require the organization to engage competent legal counsel.
• Require all committees to make reports at the board meetings, when appropriate.
• Authorize appropriate indebtedness for major programs.
• Avoid conflicts of interest.
• Review the organization’s insurance program.

How to apply: Submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to apply@ruffstartrescue.org with “RSR Board Member” in the subject line.

**Candidates who do not follow application instructions and/or do not send all requested documents will not be considered**