How to hire a shelter manager

How to hire a shelter manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step shelter manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a shelter manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new shelter manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your shelter manager job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a shelter manager for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect shelter manager also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of shelter managers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Shelter Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Shelter Manager	Social and community service managers coordinate and supervise social service programs and community organizations. They manage staff who provide social services to the public.	$14-20
   Communications Lead	The global senior program manager acts as a coordinator for the organization's projects and performs various tasks including supervision, account management, daily staff assignments, budget planning, cost control, and tracking program expenses by collaborating with various global departments to enhance all global programs. He/she should have excellent analytical, decision-making, leadership, and organization skills and knowledge about project management to be able to oversee and organize activities to ensure its compliance with the organization's goals.	$32-66
   Program Officer	A program officer is an essential part of a foundation or charitable organization. It is up to program officers to supervise program progress and proposals, seek grants, manage projects, and oversee budgets... Show more	$25-56

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Crisis Intervention
   • Safety Planning
   • Client Intake
   • Social Services
   • Emergency Shelter
   • Community Resources
   • Mental Health
   • Crisis Calls
   • Crisis Line
   • Shelter Operations
   • Animal Control
   • Sexual Assault
   • Substance Abuse
   • Law Enforcement

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage pet adoption programs and supervise animal intake, disposition and euthanasia activities.
   • Administer therapeutic restraints as well as CPR when necessary.
   • Work as a mentor with autistic volunteers and public relations for VSAWL pet finder account and newspapers articles.
   • Assist patients in securing medical coverage by screening refer patients and coordinating the application process through successful approval.
   • Complete monthly reports pertaining to CJCC, DHS and DCA grants.
   • Maintain database of client files and information; ensure data accuracy and compliance with HIPAA and other privacy guidelines.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your shelter manager job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A shelter manager salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, shelter managers' average salary in north carolina is 31% less than in arizona.
   • Seniority. Entry-level shelter managers earn 30% less than senior-level shelter managers.
   • Certifications. A shelter manager with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a shelter manager's salary.

   Average shelter manager salary

   $36,640yearly

   $17.62 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level shelter manager salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 22, 2026

4. Writing a shelter manager job description

   A good shelter manager job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a shelter manager job description:

   Shelter manager job description example

   *BE THE ANCHOR OF HOPE AND CHANGE AT HOLY CROSS SERVICES*
   
   *Hourly Rate: Up to $17 per Hour.*
   
   Working for Holy Cross Services isn't just a job, it's a mission! We believe in the safety and joy of family. Our work is family-focused, as are our benefits: Holy Cross offers free health insurance for our employees *AND** *their family members.
   
   The Shelter Security will be responsible for ensuring the safety and security of all participants, staff, and property at the Emergency Shelter Facility. The primary objective is to direct flow, detect, deter and report all incidents. This position reports to the Operations Manager and/or the Division Director.
   *Requirements: *
   
   * Practices the Agency's treatment model, ethics, standards of conduct and procedures.
   * Responsible for de-escalating participants and guiding persons needing crisis assistance and using training, tools and sound judgement to minimize challenging or aggressive behaviors.
   * Interact with and monitor Participants behavior and maintain good rapport by providing excellent customer service. Encourage Participants to comply with facility policy and procedures.
   * Interact with and monitor Participants behavior and maintain good rapport by providing excellent customer service. Encourage participants to comply with facility policy and procedures.
   * Control access at the main entrance by screening all participants, and visitors, utilizing Metal Detector, Security Wand and search bags to detect and prevent weapons and other prohibited items from entering the site.
   * Responsible for teaching, modeling, practicing, supporting, and articulating the Agency's treatment philosophy to participants, volunteers, donors and other staff.
   * Responsible for communicating agency procedures and expectations, including housing expectations to clients.
   * Responsible for positive and professional interactions with participants, staff, volunteers, donors and agency partners.
   * May be responsible for learning and accurately inputting data into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
   * Committed to solving problems with participants and other co-workers to ensure a positive and productive working environment.
   * Maintain community relations with key community partnerships including but not limited to law enforcement and community mental health.
   * Support the facilitation and document all safety drills/tests and actual incidents, including critical incidents, emergency plan drills or actual events and shift logs or report.
   * Performs other duties related to the essential duties of the position and within the individual's capabilities as assigned by one's supervisor.
   
   *Qualifications: *
   
   * Minimum of HS diploma/GED required. Associates degree preferred. 1-2 Years Security/Monitoring experience preferred.
   * Lived experience with homelessness strongly preferred.
   
   *Benefits: *
   In addition to a competitive salary, we offer:
   
   * Employer-Funded Health Benefits
   * Vision
   * Dental
   * Wellness Benefit
   * Public Loan Service Forgiveness Program (Student Loan Forgiveness)
   * Generous Time Off Benefits
   * Disability & Life Insurance
   
   *HELP BRING HOPE TO MICHIGAN FAMILIES*
   
   _Holy Cross Services maintains a policy of nondiscrimination regarding all employees. The Agency desires to handle all aspects of employment on the basis of merit, competence and qualification. Employment is not influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, citizenship status, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other factor prohibited by law. The Agency makes all decisions with respect to recruiting, hiring, and/or promotions for all job classifications based on individual's qualifications related to the requirements of the position. All other personnel matters, such as compensation, benefits, transfers, reduction in workforce, recall, training, education and social/recreation programs, are to be administered free from any illegal discriminatory practices._
   
   _Holy Cross Services further recognizes that deep systemic inequities disproportionately overrepresent children of color and children who identify as LGBTQ within the child welfare system, yet underrepresent these populations within the child welfare workforce. Because we believe the people served must be centered in the work we do, applicants with lived experience in the child welfare system or homelessness, BIPOC applicants, and applicants who identify as LGBTQ are strongly encouraged to apply._
   
   _Additionally, Holy Cross Services acknowledges the studies indicating applicants of color and women applicants may be less likely than others to apply for a job without meeting 100% of the preferred qualifications. If you are passionate for this work and meet the minimum requirements, your application is welcomed._
   
   Job Type: Full-time
   
   Pay: Up to $17.00 per hour

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find shelter managers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your shelter manager job on Zippia to find and recruit shelter manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit shelter managers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new shelter manager

   Once you have selected a candidate for the shelter manager position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new shelter manager. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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