Nonprofit Program Manager

Salary: $68.7K

Location: San Luis Obispo, CA

Onsite

About the job

New Life K9s is seeking a seasoned, mission-driven leader who brings together advanced service‑dog training skills, program management acumen, and a deep commitment to human transformation through positive canine partnerships.

About New Life K9s

New Life K9s, a program of Son Care Foundation, is a San Luis Obispo–based nonprofit that delivers expertly trained, no‑cost service dogs to veterans and first responders living with PTSD, while also offering rehabilitative training opportunities for incarcerated adults.

Role and Responsibilities:

People Management

• Lead the New Life K9s employees, ensuring their tasks and goals remain on schedule and serve the mission of New Life K9s.
• Keep track of employee hours and schedules to ensure accurate reporting for payroll.
• Maintain consistent communication with the New Life K9s team and prison liaisons to ensure the program operates successfully.
• Schedule and conduct regular employee performance reviews; manage disciplinary and performance-related meetings as needed.
• Train new employees on policies and procedures.
• Manage incarcerated dog handlers, overseeing communication, ensuring compliance with training directives, and actively supporting handler success within the canine program.
• Provide exceptional support to volunteers; proactively nurture their experience, and ensure they feel engaged, valued, and well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to the program’s success.
• Foster strong relationships with service dog applicants and recipients; provide ongoing support, maintaining frequent check-ins, offering practical guidance and resources, and proactively addressing challenges to ensure they fully benefit from their service dog partnership.

Dog Management

• Monitor the progress of the dogs in the program and work with the incarcerated handlers and New Life K9s educators to ensure each dog is set up for success.
• Ensure positive dog training methods are followed.
• Support the Canine Director and ensure all training directives are followed.

Systems Management

• Oversee, maintain, and improve the various organizational systems.
• Airtable - Client, Volunteer, Prison, and Dog Database
• TickTick - Task Management and Scheduling
• When I Work / Calendly - Meeting Scheduler
• Google Drive - File Storage
• Review, improve, and edit documents to reflect approved changes to procedures, policies, and program material.
• Develop and maintain procedures and methods for tracking rehabilitation progress for recipients and incarcerated dog handlers.
• Maintain Assistance Dog International Accreditation and any other accreditations needed.
• Manage budget and keep staff informed of spending.

Fundraising Management

• Work with the Marketing and Events Manager to plan advertising and fundraising.
• Schedule New Life K9s events within the prisons (Graduations, Demonstrations, etc.).
• Manage general inquiries (New Life email and phone calls).
• Communicate with potential donors and attend speaking engagements to gain supporters.
• Attend community events and fundraisers to educate the public about service dogs, raise awareness, and gain support for the New Life K9s program.

Other Responsibilities

• Facilitate the purchase of supplies, obtain prison approval, and arrange for delivery.
• Work with other Son Care Programs to ensure collaborative support where necessary.
• Other duties as assigned necessary for program success.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• You must have a passion for supporting the rehabilitation of Veterans, First Responders, and incarcerated individuals.
• You must have an equal passion for working with both people and dogs.
• Must have at least 4 years of professional experience leading a team successfully.
• Must have at least 2 years of professional dog training experience using positive training methods. This requirement is non-negotiable. Highly prefer service dog experience.
• Nonprofit experience is highly preferred.
• Must have excellent public speaking skills.
• Excellent communication skills are required.
• Must be comfortable working with dogs.
• Must be able to navigate Mac Operating Systems, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel, Google Docs, Google Sheets, task management programs, and online database systems.
• Must be very comfortable with using computers and various software programs.
• You must be able to obtain a Contractor card from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation once hired. This process includes a thorough background check.

Additional Notes

• This is a full-time salaried position exempt from overtime.
• A typical work week would be Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. (This is flexible.)
• Some evenings and weekends will be required for events.
• This is an in-person position.
• 15 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) per year (can be used for vacation or sick time).
• 6 paid holidays (Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years).
• $130 monthly health insurance reimbursement program.
• Free dog/cat boarding and daycare, 25% off dog training.
• Reports directly to Son Care Foundation’s Executive Directors.