Placement & Adoptions Manager

Transform the lives of U.S. Veterans through purposeful canine partnerships and integrated wellness programs.

Job Title: Placement and Adoptions Manager

Reports to: Director of Shelter Programs

Employment Type: Full-time Exempt

About the Organization

Liberty Dogs™ is a premier Service Dog training program whose goal is to empower Veterans with disabilities to lead more independent and fulfilling lives - enhancing their well-being through the unconditional support that Liberty Service Dogs provide. Located on a 27-acre campus, it includes a training facility, dog housing, an administrative and multipurpose building, and accommodations for Veterans staying on campus to train with their Liberty Service Dogs.

Position Summary:

The Adoptions Manager supports Liberty Dogs' puppy, advanced training, and shelter programs by overseeing all alternative placements for shelter and purpose-bred dogs. These career-change placements include skilled companions, facility dogs, therapy dogs, hearing dogs, comfort dogs, and community adoptions. Responsibilities include developing behavior and training plans for dogs awaiting placement, managing the application and adoption counseling process, providing post-adoption training support, and maintaining transfer partnerships. The Adoptions Manager works closely with the Veteran Services, Outreach, and Marketing teams and all training programs to determine appropriate matches. This role requires strong skills in program development, dog behavior and training, community outreach, and multitasking. Expected workload is 40–60 hours per week.

Key Responsibilities

- Adoption & Placement Programs: Design, develop, and manage Liberty Dogs' adoption and career change placements, including skilled companions, facility dogs, therapy dogs, hearing dogs, comfort dogs, and community adoptions.

- Screening & Counseling: Conduct application screening, matching, and adoption and placement counseling using open, conversation-based adoption practices.

- Behavior & Training: Develop and implement training and behavior modification plans for dogs awaiting placement and after placement, working hands-on with dogs up to 100 lbs on training, enrichment, and basic husbandry.

- Post-Placement Support: Provide 1:1 on-site training for skilled companion placements and in-home visits for resident pet introductions, maintenance training, and behavior modification. Maintain a duty phone for adopters and placements.

- Cross-Team Coordination: Partner with Veteran Services on career change placements, the medical team on released dogs' care and appointments, Marketing and Outreach on promoting adoptable dogs, and volunteer fosters on supplies, boarding, classes, and emergencies.

- Volunteer & Partner Management: Develop and manage onsite adoption volunteer opportunities and maintain relationships with transfer partners.

- Operations: Manage department inventory and supply orders, and uphold organizational policies on safety, infectious disease control, and animal welfare.

- Schedule & Travel: Expected workload of 40–60 hours per week, including evenings, weekends, and on-call response to pre- and post-placement emergencies. Regular operation of a company vehicle (1–2 times per week) and up to 10% local and national travel.

Qualifications & Requirements

- Experience: Extensive experience in program development and management in a non-profit setting, ideally a shelter, humane society, or service dog organization, including managing teams of 3–7 people.

- Training Philosophy: Commitment to science-based, positive reinforcement training.

- Skills: Proven success with resident pet introduction plans and open, conversation-based adoption. Comfortable teaching individuals and volunteer groups, with excellent documentation skills and proficiency in Excel, Salesforce, DaySmart, and other scheduling software.

- Physical Requirements: Comfortable handling large breed dogs over 40 lbs and lifting up to 50 lbs, including dog food bags, crates, and exercise pens.

- Soft Skills: Strong interpersonal and communication skills, comfort with crucial conversations about management and training, and a professional, compassionate presence with adopters, volunteers, and the public. Organized, reliable, adaptable, and solution-oriented, working well both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

- Driving: Valid driver's license with a clean driving and criminal record, and ability to meet Liberty Dogs' requirements for driving company vehicles.

- Bonus: Experience working with Veterans with PTSD; dog training certification from KPA, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, IAABC CCBC, Fear Free, PPG, or CAAB/ACAAB; and knowledge of shelter medicine, infectious disease protocols, and disinfection standards.

Compensation: $80,000 - $102,500

Why Join Liberty Dogs?

At Liberty Dogs Foundation, we live by a simple truth: We care for those who have cared for our great nation. This role is your opportunity to shape a program that will set a national standard in Veteran wellness and service dog partnerships—changing lives, one Veteran and one dog at a time.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law .