People Operations Manager

📍 Santa Cruz, CA (Hybrid) 🕒 32 hours/week 💲 $75,000–$92,000 annually DOQ ✚ Full benefits

Behind every animal saved and every family kept together is a team doing complex, mission-driven work. At the Santa Cruz SPCA, we're investing in the people, processes, and infrastructure that let us scale our impact — and we're looking for a People Operations Manager to help lead that evolution.

The Role

Reporting to the Executive Director, you'll lead day-to-day Human Resources and help our teams work better together. It's a hands-on role for someone who can handle a payroll deadline and a delicate staff conversation on the same afternoon. You'll:

• Manage the full employee lifecycle, from hiring and onboarding to retention and offboarding
• Process biweekly payroll and administer benefits
• Serve as the go-to resource for staff on HR questions and concerns
• Keep HR policies, practices, and the employee handbook consistent and compliant
• Lead performance management and coach managers through feedback and tough conversations
• Bring structure and facilitation to cross-functional initiatives, and lead select projects

About You

You bring 4–5 years of experience in human resources. You're the person staff trust with hard questions. You're a compassionate communicator, skilled in navigating differing perspectives, and enjoy helping groups reach alignment. You love building systems that make people and organizations stronger — and you want that work to matter.

Why This Role

• A 32-hour week: full-time impact, more time for life
• Hybrid schedule and a flexible work environment
• Health, dental, and vision benefits
• 401(k) plan
• A passionate team that shows up for animals and each other

As we grow, this role may grow with us. If you want to build the systems behind saving animal lives and keeping pets with the people who love them, we'd love to hear from you.

To apply: Submit your resume and cover letter through Indeed.

View & Apply on Indeed

Client Care & Adoptions Associate

📍 Santa Cruz, CA 🕒 Full-Time

Do you believe every person and every pet deserves a positive, compassionate experience? Are you someone who enjoys helping others, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and isn't afraid to jump in wherever you're needed? If so, the Santa Cruz SPCA may have the perfect opportunity for you.

As our Client Care Coordinator, you'll play a vital role in creating exceptional experiences for both people and animals. You'll welcome visitors to the shelter, guide adopters through the adoption process, answer questions, provide resources to community members, and help families find the right companion. Whether you're assisting a first-time adopter, supporting a foster caregiver, or helping someone navigate a difficult surrender, your kindness and professionalism will make a lasting impact.

This is a highly collaborative position that keeps you engaged in nearly every aspect of shelter operations. Your day may include responding to phone calls and emails, coordinating adoptions, mentoring volunteers, assisting with animal feeding and walking, creating content for social media, supporting community events, and helping ensure the shelter runs smoothly. Every day brings new challenges, new faces, and new opportunities to make a difference.

We're looking for someone with one to two years of customer service experience who communicates with empathy, stays organized under pressure, and enjoys working with both people and animals. Familiarity with Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and other cloud-based software is important, and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. Because animal welfare is a seven-day-a-week commitment, this position includes weekend and occasional holiday shifts.

If you're searching for a career that's meaningful, rewarding, and anything but routine, we'd love to meet you. Submit your resume and join a team dedicated to improving the lives of animals and the people who love them.

View & Apply on Indeed