WHY YOUNG-WILLIAMS?

Because we’re not just another shelter — we’re the powerhouse of animal welfare in Tennessee.

• One of the largest animal shelters in the Southeast
• We run animal services for the City of Knoxville & Knox County
• We take in more than 10,000 animals every year

• A community force, serving thousands of animals and local families every year
• Leaders in innovative programs that keep pets with their families
• A mission-driven team that works hard, supports each other, and gets the job done

If you want to be part of an organization that actually moves the needle for animals and the people who love them, this is where you belong.

WE’RE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO IS….

• Active, reliable, and ready to work with their hands
• Comfortable lifting up to 50 lbs. and restraining dogs and cats for exams
• Great at talking to strangers — friendly & nonjudgmental
• Able to communicate with diverse communities — bilingual in Spanish is a major plus
• Passionate about helping people and their pets
• A problem-solver who takes initiative
• Comfortable driving vans/pickups and navigating local routes (must be over 25)
• Proficient with computers, clinic software, Excel & Word

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Lift, move, and organize supplies
• Setup/break down tents, tables and equipment
• Assist families with pet resources and information
• Support pet food distribution and community resource events
• Restrain dogs and cats using Fear Free Shelter techniques
• Use computer programs (clinic software, Excel, Word) to log services
• Take initiative  - you see what needs to be done and do it

WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT

• Active, hands-on work — no two days are the same
• Real-world problem solving
• You’ll work in all kinds of environments — indoors, outdoors, in the warehouse, and vet clinic settings
• A real sense of purpose — knowing your work makes life better for people and their pets
• Develop practical skills in outreach, animal handling, and the logistics of getting critical resources to the animals that need them most

 READY TO STEP UP AND MAKE AN IMPACT?

Apply Today! __________________

If you're hardworking, collaborative, and passionate about animals, you might be the next Pawsitive Pet Person we're looking for!

Join Our Team

We currently have opportunities in Shelter Operations, including Animal Care, Adoptions, Foster, Lost and Found and many other areas! During the interview process, we'll work with you to find the best fit for your skills and passion.

Why Become a Pawsitive Pet Person?

• You'll make a direct impact on pets and their families
• You'll work with a supportive team of animals advocates
• You'll grow your skills in animal care, customer service, and community outreach
• You'll be part of a mission that saves thousands of lives every year
• Earn $13/hour after completing a training period (you are in control - pass training in as little as 30 days!)

Apply Today!

Be a Pawsitive Pet Person - and help us change lives, one wag, one purr, and one family at a time!

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Patient Care & Treatment Responsibilities

• Assist with initial triage of patients as they are checked in.  Report health concerns to Veterinarian or Surgical Coordinator.  
• Ensure accurate patient information is obtained and recorded.

• Assist in the safe and humane handling and restraining of animals during anesthesia, induction, and intubation.
• Prepare patients for surgery. Work with medical support team to ensure efficient surgery flow.
• Monitor animals under anesthesia, through recovery, and return to cage.

• Assist veterinarians in surgery as needed.
• Report health and behavior concerns to Veterinarian or Clinic Manager.  Work with the staff to safely transport patients from prep to the operating room, recovery, and return to cage.
• Assist with preparation and administration of patient vaccinations, tests, medications and treatments as directed by the Veterinarian.
• Provide excellent patient care.

 Clinical Support Responsibilities

• At check in:
  • Obtain history and information from pet owner when necessary.  
  • Answer questions regarding procedure(s).
  • Obtain signed surgical consent form.  
  • Schedule discharge time.
  • Assure pet is properly identified while in our custody
• Performs all aspects of discharge, including distribution of patient records, post-op instructions, and educational materials.
• Operate and maintain surgical equipment, anesthesia systems, lights, computers, and animal containment systems.
• Participate in staff meetings to share ideas and suggestions for improving animal care and/or efficiency, and the quality of the organization as a whole.

General Cleaning & Operational Support Responsibilities

• Post-surgery cleanup including, but not limited to, scrubbing instruments, operating autoclave, cleaning surgery suite & clinic, kennels & cages, and process laundry.
• Follow shelter protocols pertaining to disease control & sanitation.
• Maintain inventory supply lists and assist in ordering to ensure adequate supply levels.
• Restock supplies at end of each day.
• Assist in the cleaning of public and employee areas – entryway, parking lot, break room or other areas as assigned.

Spay Shuttle Surgical Unit Responsibilities

• Perform full check of mobile unit using maintenance checklist on a daily basis, including fueling, tire, lights, water holding tanks and general maintenance.
• Maintain fleet maintenance service schedule.
• Drive mobile unit to and from off-site location, as well as parking, leveling, set-up, tear down and overnight storage.
• Operate all systems and equipment on the mobile unit, including generator, batteries and HVAC systems, and coordinate repairs when needed.

BENEFITS

We offer Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K with employer match for full-time employees.

COMPETENCIES

Professional Communication Proficiency – oral and written.         

Planning and Delegation.

Ethical Conduct.

Strategic Thinking.

Leadership.

Decision Making.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

This position has no supervisory responsibility.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/ EQUIPMENT USE

• Indoors in a high noise air-conditioned/heated building, outdoors at shelter or on-location for various activities.
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as PC, printer, copy machine, fax machine, filing cabinets, telephone, as well as cleaning equipment and supplies.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL/SENSORY DEMANDS

The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand for long periods of time (6-8 hours/day); walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 40 pounds by self or with assistance. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.   Regular exposure to a variety of animals and their bodily fluids, cleaning chemicals, fumes, dust, bites, and scratches.  Duties are performed indoors in a high noise air-conditioned/heated building, outdoors at the shelter, or on-location for various activities.  Must use self-care skills to combat compassion fatigue.

Potential and Prolonged Exposures

• Prolonged exposure to various aqueous solutions such as chlorhexidine and spectra soap.
• Prolonged exposure to isopropanol (“alcohol”) and hydrogen peroxide.
• Potential exposure to formalin solution.
• Potential/Prolonged exposure to isoflurane gas.
• Prolonged exposure to quartenary ammonium cleaners and bleach.
• Prolonged exposure to pressurized steam.
• Potential exposure to sharps including needles and surgical blades.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

This is a full-time position.  Work hours may vary and evening, weekend, and holiday hours will be required.  Shared on-call responsibilities (via phone and in person at the shelter).

TRAVEL

No travel is required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

[Indicate education, certification & experience based on requirements that are job-related and consistent with business necessity. ALSO, indicate whether it is “required” or “preferred” See example below.]

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Associates Degree is preferred.
• Minimum of one (1) to two (2) years of veterinary or animal care experience is required.
• Must have a valid Tennessee Driver’s License.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook is required, and experience with database software is strongly preferred.

SKILLS AND PROFICIENCIES

• Positive, optimistic outlook.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks in a busy workplace environment.
• Knowledge of, or ability to learn basic veterinary medical concepts including but not limited to vaccine protocols and anesthetic risks.
• Previous animal handling and understanding of animal behavior (e.g. identify aggressive or fearful behavior).
• Superior reflex & response time.

AAP/EEO STATEMENT

Young Williams Animal Center provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, gender, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability or genetic information.

Young-Williams Animal Center is the largest animal welfare organization in the state of Tennessee and is looking for a Care Clinic Manager who is a proven, positive leader capable of guiding and inspiring team members and excited to be a part of a growing and progressive operation. The Care Clinic first opened in July of 2025, one day a week. We are looking to grow this team and offer services 4 days a week to qualifying individuals to receive low-cost veterinary care.

In partnership with the Director of Medical Operations, the Care Clinic Manager plays a vital role in managing day-to-day operations so the medical team can devote their time delivering the highest quality of veterinary care in a low-cost veterinary clinic. In keeping with our mission, this position will focus on animal welfare industry best practices within the Care Clinic. We aim to increase access to quality veterinary care and assure high-level customer service, both internally and externally, as well as assess operational effectiveness and implement standard operating procedures as directed to ensure consistency in operations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Mediate and problem solve in the moment with staff and clients
• Assist, oversee and guide all staff with their duties as needed
• In the event of vacancies or absences, fulfill the necessary duties to ensure the smooth operation of the clinic
• Coordinate with the Medical Director and Director Medical Operations to ensure quality veterinary care of client and employee-owned animals
• Maintain up-to-date Standards of Protocol for the veterinary clinic including sanitation, fear-free animal handling, medical care and customer service
• Maintain veterinary clinic safety guidelines as directed by OSHA requirements
• Oversee daily, weekly and monthly inventory and ensure all medical logs are up to date and accurate
• Ensure upkeep and maintenance of Care Clinic medical equipment
• Track ordering and reconciling invoices
• Manage client account deliverables and receivables
• Code invoices for the bookkeeper
• Participate in continuing education programs and on-going learning and development  
• Provide medical counseling to clients
• Minimal on-call duty may be required
• Schedule client appointments for wellness and surgery
• Prepare for daily needs of individual clients
• Work closely with S/N staff and Animal Services to provide quality care for clients in need of medical services
• Treat clients with respect and non-judgement, understanding the mission of the YWAC Care Clinic to provide low-cost care to animals and owners in need.
• Look for ways to decrease cost but maintain quality care (grants, donations, partnerships, etc.)
• Determine eligibility of the client and pet, based upon factors such as: county of residence, ability to meet income requirements, age of pet, pet’s health history (when known).  Adapt to changes in scheduling based upon needs of the program, and make suggestions for improvement.
• Set up and confirm the surgery and appointment days in the Clinic HQ software and adjust based on need

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Train, supervise and support clinic support staff, to include Veterinary Assistants, Vet Interns and Externs and Administrative Assistants
• Encourage and promote professional development of clinic staff
• Lead the team in a positive manner and provide leadership, mentorship and guidance
• Provide regular performance feedback to the Medical Director and Director Medical Operations
• Conduct performance reviews for clinic support staff aligned with the proposed Matrix system, providing input on pay increases to the Medical Director and Director of Medical Operations
• Provide constructive feedback to clinic support team members. Implement and carry out Performance Improvement Plans with staff as needed.

Other Duties:

• Work cooperatively with all YWAC staff and volunteers to promote the YWAC mission and vision
• Participate in team meetings as requested
• Perform other duties as necessary
• Degree in veterinary technology (preferred) from an accredited school or a minimum of 10 years’ experience managing a veterinary clinic. Certified Veterinary Practice Management Certification is a plus.
• License to practice as a veterinary technician in the state of Tennessee (preferred)
• Ability to make sound decisions about patient care and clinic operations
• Confidence using computer systems and learning new software (Pet Point and Clinic HQ)
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate with and relate to people of all age groups and socio-economic classes
• Strong written and oral communication skills including the ability to educate clients effectively
• Willingness to discuss euthanasia, open-admission sheltering, and surrender of pets in a non-judgmental, non-confrontational, fact-based manner
• Ability to express organizational standpoints when serving as a YWAC representative
• Ability to handle confidential or sensitive information with discretion
• Ability to function well independently and as a team member
• Ability to mediate and problem solve in the moment
• Excellent attention to detail; organization skills, effective time management and the ability to multitask
• Committed to the Core Values of Empathy, Innovation, Compassion, Integrity, Dedication and Collaboration

Skills and Educational Requirements:

Degree in veterinarytechnology (preferred) from an accreditedschool or a minimum of 10 years’ experience managing a veterinary clinic. Certified Veterinary Practice Management Certification is a plus. 

License to practice as a veterinarytechnician in the state of Tennessee (preferred) 

Ability to make sound decisions about patient care and clinic operations  

Confidence using computer systems andlearning new software (Pet Point and Clinic HQ)  

Strong interpersonal skills, including theability to communicate with and relate to people of all age groups and socio-economic classes 

Strong written and oral communication skillsincluding the ability to educate clients effectively  

Willingness to discuss euthanasia,open-admission sheltering, and surrender of pets in a non-judgmental,non-confrontational, fact-based manner  

Ability to express organizational standpointswhen serving as a YWAC representative  

Ability to handle confidential or sensitiveinformation with discretion  

Ability to function well independently and asa team member  

Ability to mediate and problem solve in themoment  

Excellent attention to detail; organizationskills, effective time management and the ability to multitask 

Committed to the Core Values of Empathy,Innovation, Compassion, Integrity,Dedication and Collaboration  

Physical and Time Demands:

• Ability to work early mornings, evenings and weekends
• Ability to work in the presence of animals, wildlife, strong odors and cleaning solutions
• Ability to stand, walk, bend and lift and carry materials up to 40 lbs.
• Ability to handle stress
• Valid driver’s license and reliable personal transportation to and from all YWAC locations

Salary and Benefits:

Full-time benefits include health, dental, and vision plans and paid holidays, paid time off, retirement plan with company match, bereavement leave and benefits for personal pets. 

The Annual Giving Officer is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive annual giving program that grows philanthropic support for Young-Williams Animal Center and strengthens relationships with donors at every stage of their journey. From someone making their very first gift to a longtime supporter ready to deepen their commitment, this role helps donors understand the lifesaving difference their generosity makes for pets and people in our community.

This position will focus on acquiring new donors, retaining and upgrading existing donors, growing recurring giving and creating meaningful opportunities for supporters to deepen their connection to Young-Williams. Working as a member of the Advancement team and closely with the Marketing team, the Annual Giving Officer will combine compelling storytelling, thoughtful donor communications, data, technology and a little creativity to build a strong and sustainable pipeline of philanthropic support.

The ideal candidate is relationship-oriented, results-driven and genuinely enthusiastic about our mission. Successful annual giving isn’t simply about asking for the next gift, it’s about creating an experience that makes people feel connected to the mission, appreciated for their support and inspired to give again, give more and become even bigger champions for the animals who depend on us.

And while a love of animals is certainly important, this job is ultimately about the generous humans who make our work possible. If you can build relationships, think strategically, embrace new ideas and bring energy and enthusiasm to your work, we’d love to meet you. Come help us turn compassion into action, one donor (and one wagging tail) at a time.

Essential Responsibilities

Annual Giving Strategy & Revenue Growth

• Develop and implement a comprehensive annual giving strategy designed to increase donor acquisition, retention, renewal and upgrades.
• Manage a portfolio of annual donors and prospects, developing appropriate strategies to cultivate, solicit and steward their support.
• Identify donors with the interest and capacity to increase their giving and intentionally move qualified prospects into the major gifts pipeline.
• Develop strategies to grow monthly and recurring giving programs.
• Establish annual revenue, retention, acquisition and upgrade goals and regularly evaluate progress against established benchmarks.
• Work collaboratively with Advancement leadership to identify opportunities for unrestricted and program-specific giving.

Donor Acquisition & Retention

• Develop strategies to convert adopters, volunteers, event attendees, clients, social media followers and other Young-Williams supporters into first-time donors.
• Create intentional donor journeys for first-time, recurring, lapsed and loyal donors.
• Develop renewal and reactivation strategies for current and lapsed donors.
• Identify opportunities to increase donor loyalty and lifetime value.
• Ensure donors receive timely, meaningful acknowledgment and stewardship beyond transactional gift receipts.
• Make personal contact with donors through phone calls, handwritten notes, email and individual meetings when appropriate.

Annual Campaigns & Appeals

• Plan and execute annual fundraising campaigns, including direct mail, email, digital giving, Giving Tuesday, year-end giving and other targeted appeals.
• Partner with Marketing to develop compelling donor-centered stories demonstrating the impact of philanthropic support.
• Coordinate campaign calendars, audience segmentation, messaging and follow-up strategies.
• Evaluate campaign performance and use results to continuously improve future solicitations.

Donor Engagement & Stewardship

• Develop creative opportunities for donors to see and understand the impact of their giving.
• Help create a consistent and exceptional donor experience from the first gift forward.
• Coordinate donor communications, impact updates, tours, small gatherings and other cultivation and stewardship opportunities.
• Work collaboratively with staff throughout the organization to identify compelling animal, client and program stories for donor communications.
• Build relationships that make donors feel connected to Young-Williams and valued as partners in the mission.

Data, Analytics & Technology

• Maintain accurate and timely donor information, interactions and moves-management activity within the donor database/CRM.
• Use donor data to segment audiences and personalize communications and solicitations.
• Track key annual giving metrics including acquisition, retention, renewal, upgrade, reactivation, recurring giving, average gift and donor lifetime value.
• Regularly analyze giving trends and campaign performance and make recommendations based on results.
• Explore and utilize technology, automation and AI tools that improve personalization, efficiency and donor engagement while maintaining an authentic human connection.

Collaboration

• Work as a member of the Advancement and closely with the Marketing team and program staff to ensure fundraising messages are coordinated, accurate and compelling.
• Support broader Advancement initiatives, donor events and fundraising priorities as needed.
• Help create a culture of philanthropy throughout Young-Williams by ensuring staff understand the importance of donor relationships and stewardship.
• Serve as a knowledgeable and enthusiastic ambassador for Young-Williams Animal Center and its mission.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Three or more years of experience in fundraising, annual giving, donor relations, nonprofit development, marketing or a related field preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and communicate effectively with a wide range of individuals.
• Strong writing and storytelling skills with the ability to translate organizational impact into compelling donor communications.
• Experience with donor databases/CRM systems and comfort working with data and analytics.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills with the ability to manage multiple campaigns and deadlines simultaneously.
• Comfortable personally engaging donors by telephone, email and face-to-face.
• Self-motivated, creative, collaborative and accountable for measurable results.
• Ability to use good judgment and maintain confidentiality regarding donor and organizational information.
• Commitment to the mission and values of Young-Williams Animal Center.

Measures of Success

Success in this position will be measured through both revenue growth and the strength of Young-Williams' donor relationships, including:

• Growth in annual giving revenue
• Increased donor retention and renewal
• Growth in new donor acquisition
• Increased number and value of recurring donors
• Successful reactivation of lapsed donors
• Growth in average annual gift
• Number of donors successfully upgraded
• Number of qualified prospects moved into the major gifts pipeline
• Strong campaign performance and return on investment
• Timely and meaningful donor stewardship

Core Competencies

Relationship Builder: Enjoys connecting with people and understands that fundraising begins with relationships.

Results-Oriented: Takes ownership of revenue and donor-growth goals and uses data to measure progress.

Exceptional Communicator: Writes and speaks with warmth, clarity and authenticity.

Strategic Thinker: Looks beyond the next appeal to understand the full donor journey.

Creative Storyteller: Recognizes compelling stories and knows how to connect them to philanthropic impact.

Technologically Curious: Embraces CRM tools, analytics, automation and AI to work smarter and improve donor engagement.

Collaborative: Works effectively across departments and understands that fundraising success depends on the entire organization.

Mission-Driven: Believes deeply in the human-animal bond and Young-Williams Animal Center's responsibility to serve pets and people throughout the community.