Join Our Team

ABOUT US

Wags & Walks is a 501c3 nonprofit dog rescue located in Los Angeles & Nashville — we share nonprofit identification, but we operate separately with different staff, processes, budgets, and dogs. As a whole, we are a community of dog lovers working to promote shelter dogs as the best dogs in the world through advocacy of our unique family-friendly foster and adoption programs.

We’re currently accepting applications for the following roles. Please read through the job description you’re interested in before applying.

+ Lead Adoptions Counselor

SUMMARY

The Lead Adoptions Counselor is responsible for screening and interviewing interested applicants while also managing the team of Adoption Counselors. This role requires a friendly, enthusiastic and highly organized leader as the role works to line the 130+ dogs in the organization’s care with interested applicants. The ideal candidate has experience finding a balance between rolling up their sleeves and executing the role alongside the team that they’re managing. The ideal person for this position is a passionate, outgoing, and intuitive team player who can coach the Adoption Counselors into continued growth.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Summarize applications for adoption, contact and screen applicants via phone.

Maintain applicant correspondence, ensuring organized and timely responses within a 24-48 hour window.

Organize the adoption counselors on a daily basis to ensure all calls, meet and greets, check ins, paperwork, etc are completed.

Work with the Director of Adoptions to continue to build out processes and metrics for ensuring the team has the best chance of matching the dog to the right home.

Find ways to tee up information for the Director of Adoptions to allow them to focus on building alumni relationships and program growth.

Develop tools and techniques that allow you to coach the adoption counselors while also learning from their strengths. This includes, but is not limited to, weekly check ins and individualized coaching plans.

Stay up to date and informed on the 130+ dogs that are regularly in our care, so you can best provide updates to our team and prospective adopters.

Educate adopters about the process and commitment of adopting a dog and then matching them with the right dog that is best for each unique applicant, and our organization.

Be comfortable tackling some of the tougher conversations that may arise with adopters.

Help with donor development by communicating with the development team about adopters (as they are some of our best contributors).

Maintain applicant correspondence via text and email; label and sort messages accordingly and keep replies within a 24 hour window.

Conduct onsite meet and greets, and adoptions; handle dogs of all sizes at appointments safely, confidently, and with care.

Challenge yourself to continually improve as a handler as you get more comfortable with the dog to dog introductions.

Troubleshoot behavioral and medical issues and facilitate connections between clients and the medical/ behavioral departments accordingly.

Communicate clearly and efficiently across teams via slack and google spreadsheets; upkeep information re: pending/upcoming appointments and dog availability in a consistent and timely manner on all shared docs.

Understand that new software is on the way and be comfortable guiding the team into new software.

Track adoption metrics, returns, and applications; identify innovative ways to improve the quality and number of adoptions.

QUALIFICATIONS
Must have a College Degree

Must be able to work weekends consistently

3+ years of people management experience required.

Retail or sales experience preferred, customer service experience required.

Experience with nonprofits, fundraising and events preferred

Computer proficient (Google docs, ability to learn new software, etc) with an ability to learn tech quickly.

Must have a current and valid California Driver’s License

Must be comfortable standing for long periods and lifting up to 30 lbs

Willingness to attend offsite adoption events as required

QUALITIES

Must be a dog lover! Hands-on experience preferred.

Problem solver and quick thinker

Excellent communication skills

A team player who works well with others

Friendly demeanor and positive attitude

Enjoys working in a fast paced and dynamic environment

Exceptional customer service skills

Is very detail oriented

Is very proactive and a self-starter

Is flexible and willing to ride the roller coaster of rescue

BENEFITS

Join a passionate team in a rewarding field

Plenty of quality time with amazing rescue dogs

Strong health, dental, and vision benefits

PTO that increases every year

Snacks, drinks, and monthly team lunches

SCHEDULE REQUIREMENTS

Full Time applicants only

Wednesday - Sunday schedule preferred, open to Thursday - Monday if desired.

+ Partnerships Manager

SUMMARY

The Partnerships Manager is responsible for maintaining and growing a portfolio of new and existing corporate and foundation sponsors and individual donors to support the organization’s continued growth in Los Angeles & New York while effortlessly collaborating with the Nashville team. This team member will be the primary point of contact for several existing corporate sponsor relationships that have been instrumental in building two fantastic adoption centers and hosting a successful annual Gala. Success in this role is contingent upon one’s ability to connect with stakeholders at all levels while always thinking about creative ways to build a long term partnership. The ideal candidate is passionate about dogs and can find joy in the direct impact that their fundraising efforts have on the organization’s impact.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Seamlessly picks up existing partner relationships with timely, thoughtful, and strategic responses.

Joins the team prepared to hit the ground running to form new corporate sponsors and foundation partnerships. Understands that while the organization has built an amazing base, there’s no playbook and it’s on this individual to constantly be taking initiative.

Reports to the VP of Strategic Development and ensures outreach efforts line up with the organization’s roadmap.

Collaborates closely with the Nashville team to maximize the strength of partnerships and ensure there’s no conflict of interest. There’s so much to be gained from the extra impact happening in other cities as it is one large organization.

Hits quarterly revenue goals for year long partnerships.

Uses a combination of existing relationships and cold outreach to lead all procurement efforts around the massive auction for the annual Gala.

Handles the pickup and on-site logistics related to Gala items including at the Gala.

Assists with the management of volunteers + other supporting team members on the Gala auction efforts.

Balances the deliverables for Gala and other campaigns when structuring pitches.

Collaborates closely with the social teams to identify brands and partners to reach out to while also ensuring proper execution takes place.

Works with the adoptions team to identify and connect with potential applicants / alumni that could support in forming any revenue generating partnership.

Attends relevant on / off site events to support the development team and build relationships. Ensuring that deliverables are meeting partner expectations is crucial.

Manages the flow of Peer to Peer Fundraising and Pup Club Membership.

Helps lead the Jr Board (Young Professionals) and the Development Committee to motivate the Wags & Walks network to maximize their efforts.

Build relationships with foundations as the role aims to line up warm leads for the grants team.

Explores grant submissions based on the role’s capacity and/or works with grant team members to build relationships and bridge gaps where needed.

Quickly builds infrastructure that allows for the role to manage interns and volunteers on an ongoing basis.

QUALIFICATIONS
Must have a college degree, Masters preferred.

Must have a proven track record of building relationships that lead directly to sales / donations.

Must have experience in a fast paced environment.

5+ years of fundraising / sales / partnership experience Experience planning and working partners into a large scale event is preferred.

Non-profit experience is preferred but not required.

Comfortable with a consistent commute to West LA 4 days a week (1 remote day available after training period).

Flexible schedule that allows for support as needed (while also finding time to disconnect and enjoy time with your pup!).

QUALITIES

Must be a dog lover!

Comfortable talking to anyone in an appropriate and goal oriented manner

A knack for reading the room

Not afraid of the ask

Comfortable building the tools that can help execute the gameplan while also executing the gameplan

Problem solver and quick thinker

Excellent communication skills

Analytical and results driven

A team player who works well with others

Friendly demeanor and positive attitude

Enjoys working in a fast paced and dynamic environment

Exceptional customer service skills

Is very detail oriented

Is very proactive and a self-starter

BENEFITS

Join a passionate team in a rewarding field

Plenty of quality time with amazing rescue dogs

Strong health, dental, and vision benefits

PTO that increases every year

Snacks, drinks, and monthly team lunches

Compensation for this role starts between $68,000 - $75,000 per year

+ Animal Caretaker

SUMMARY

We're looking for hard working dog lovers that have experience in animal welfare. Wags and Walks has rescued 14,000+ dogs to date and it's the amazing hands on work from the Animal Care team that makes it possible. You'll work at our West LA location helping to care for the 20 - 30 dogs on site at any given time.

It's an exciting opportunity to be a part of a fast paced and hard working team in a rewarding environment. This is a great way for an interested candidate to get exposure to medical, adoptions, and other departments in a fast paced but rewarding setting.

SCHEDULE REQUIREMENTS

Part Time: 3 days a week

Full Time: 4-5 days a week minimum

Shifts start at 6 am and 2 pm.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Follows cleaning, feeding and watering protocols to maintain the health of all animals.

Ensures every dog in our care is walked every four hours at a minimum. Keep boards and kennel cards updated in real time.

Adheres to isolation and quarantine protocols when handling new or contagious animals.

Keeps the facility clean, safe, organized, sanitary, and presentable at all times.

Abides by intake protocols and procedures when processing new dogs.

Assists adoptions and foster staff with meet-and-greets, supply preparation, and pick-ups/drop-offs.

Trains and supervises volunteers to ensure safety procedures are followed. Informs volunteers of necessary tasks in a friendly, welcoming manner.

QUALITIES

Must be willing to get hands dirty, be flexible and reliable. There will be deep cleaning, scrubbing, and some messy kennel situations involved.

Must enjoy working independently but also collaborating.

Must have excellent customer service experience, proven attention to detail, good organizational and time management skills.

Must be a team player and have a positive attitude. Personable, professional, upbeat and energetic.

Ability to communicate skillfully and effectively with a diverse community in a professional, pleasant, respectful manner and use good judgement.

QUALIFICATIONS

Must be able to be on your feet for most of the shift.

Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs to help move kennel crates, dog food, and other supplies.

Must have customer facing experience

Must have a valid California Driver's License

1 year of professional experience working with dogs in a kennel environment required.

Shifts are 6 am - 2 pm and Noon - 8 pm. Weekend availability is a must.

BENEFITS

Opportunity to join a fantastic team at an incredibly rewarding rescue organization

Connections to Wags and Walks network of partners

Competitive pay with time off (full time only)

Medial, dental, and vision benefits for you and eligible dependents (full time only)

Holiday pay (full time only)

Snacks and drinks on site

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $17.50 - $18.00 per hour

Schedule: Expected hours: 37 per week 8 hour shift Weekends as needed

Experience: Professional experience working with dogs in a kennel environment (1 year) required.

Work Location: In person

+ General Application

Interested in joining the Wags and Walks team but not seeing the role that speaks to your skill set? Feel free to submit a general application, at the bottom of the page, as our team is always looking to connect with talented candidates that share our passion for rescue dogs.

+ Junior Board Member

SUMMARY

Are you passionate about rescue dogs and Wags and Walks' mission? Would you like to meet other dog obsessed young professionals? Do you love speaking and networking with different groups of people? Then maybe our Jr. Board would be a great place for you to volunteer!

This is a fantastic opportunity for charismatic and engaging individuals to become ambassadors for Wags and Walks! You will provide vital information to community members, your own network, organizations, and our supporters about the large volume of dogs in overcrowded shelters at risk of euthanasia and what Wags and Walks is doing about the issue. You will be provided with all the collateral and equipment needed to attend events and you will work closely with veteran volunteer and Wags and Walks staff as part of your training.

REQUIREMENTS

  • Complete a number of trainings sessions
  • Attend Jr. Board meetings (virtual / in-person) as needed
  • Shadow Wags & Walks staff at a community event or presentation
  • Regularly support community events and presentations
  • Wags & Walks Alumni, volunteer or foster
  • People and pup person over the age of 21
  • Valid Drivers License and reliable transportation
  • Sponsor and donor outreach to support event and organization needs
  • Contribution pledge with a monthly or quarterly donation commitment
  • Create awareness of Wags and Walk’s mission, program and needs in general, professional and personal communities
  • Recruit other volunteers and Junior Board participants
  • Develop future leaders for Wags and Walks Board of Directors

BENEFITS

  • Serving on the junior board gives you a front-row seat to the highest level of operations, providing you with exposure to everything from board governance to project management, budgeting and fundraising.
  • Gaining hands-on experience in planning, fundraising, programming, and event support
  • You will play a crucial role as part of an inaugural Junior Board that will be rapidly growing and evolving, welcoming input from all members.
  • Invites to organization special events as well as events just for the Junior Board.
  • Professional networking and socializing events with other Junior Board Members as well as Wags and Walks leadership and Board of Directors.
  • Meeting like-minded young professionals
  • Leadership opportunities such as chairing committees

General Application

Please read the description above, fill out the application below, and email your resume and an optional cover letter to info@wagsandwalks.org to be considered for any role.