Aspcapro
Summary:
Are you dedicated to companion animal behavior and passionate about delivering high‑quality care and optimizing welfare for animals in need? Are you committed to bringing multiple areas of animal sheltering expertise together and working with a team to ensure the overall well‑being of animals? Are you a dynamic leader and mentor dedicated to developing teams for the benefit of shelter animals? If so, the role of Senior Manager, Animal Behavior at the ASPCA’s Cruelty Recovery Center (CRC) might be right for you!
Who We Are: At the CRC, a dedicated team of professionals serve animals rescued in ASPCA national cruelty cases and disaster responses. Experts in shelter medicine, operations and shelter animal behavior constantly collaborate to provide high‑quality integrative care, prioritizing both physical and psychological well‑being. As they engage in hands‑on care, teams prioritize the elevation of our work through ongoing learning, advancing the animal welfare field through research, developing effective, efficient interventions, establishing new best practices, and sharing innovations with other organizations nationwide.
What You’ll Do: The Senior Manager, Animal Behavior is based at the CRC but travels regularly to provide behavior leadership and services at emergency shelters and to assist the Behavioral Sciences Team (BST) with low‑stress handling during animal removals on‑scene. Led by the Senior Director, Animal Behavior, this role works alongside two other Senior Managers. Each supervises 3‑4 Behavior Specialists (a team of 11 in total), providing ongoing mentorship, coaching and development support. Together, the members of the CRC behavior branch focus on continually assessing and optimizing behavioral health of the animals.
When & Where You’ll Work:
This is an in‑person position located at the Cruelty Recovery Center in Columbus, OH.
Available to regularly work 4 days per week, 7:30am‑5:30pm, including one weekend day, and available to work a flexible schedule when needed including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Must be willing and able to travel up to 25% of the time, often on short notice and for 7‑ to 10‑day periods.
What You’ll Get: Compensation Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, training, experience, location, business needs, internal equity, market demands or budgeted amount for the role. The target hiring range for new hire offers is $88,500 - $92,500 annually. Staff compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time, with the maximum reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience.
Benefits
Affordable health coverage, including medical, employer‑paid dental, and optional vision coverage.
Flexible time off that includes vacation time, sick and bereavement time, paid parental leave, 10 company holidays, and paid personal time off.
Competitive financial incentives and retirement savings, including a 401(k) plan with generous employer contributions – we match dollar for dollar up to 4% and provide an additional 4% contribution toward your future each year.
Robust professional development opportunities, including classes, on‑the‑job training, coaching and mentorship with industry‑leading peers, internal mobility, and opportunities to support in the field.
For more information on our benefits offerings, visit our website.
Responsibilities:
Monitor the behavioral health of all animals in our care.
Conduct daily behavior rounds of all animals in the shelter and regularly participate in shelter daily rounds.
Create daily treatment plans and coordinate with other Senior Managers to align behavior staff activities.
Participate in Medical, Sheltering, and Behavior meetings to ensure smooth collaboration and holistic care for animals.
Assign dogs to playgroup participation; monitor and track their behavior.
Conduct behavior evaluations for a variety of populations (hoarding case and puppy mill dogs, fighting dogs, shelter dogs and cats, animals rescued during disaster relief efforts).
Serve as an expert handler for fearful and/or aggressive dogs during medical exams, intake procedures, and humane euthanasia.
Monitor the effectiveness of treatment interventions through the behavior database to track shelter animal progress.
Lead weekly treatment meetings with CRC behavior staff to troubleshoot behavior modification techniques and inform outcome decisions.
Provide behavior support to Response Partners and foster parents or delegate the task to Behavior Specialists when appropriate.
Ensure that all team members have received training and mastered the skills to handle dogs and cats in a low‑stress manner, and that they implement these handling techniques consistently.
Provide a safe and compassionate environment for animals, staff, and clients using low‑stress handling techniques.
Instill the guiding principle that everyone can and should actively support the animals’ behavioral and mental health in everything they do.
Oversee the collection and organization of footage for the behavior video library; provide videos for media, animal placement and educational uses.
Adhere to all protocols set forth by the ASPCA, including behavior modification and training procedures, enrichment, animal handling, and general medical and sheltering protocols.
Teach classes and give talks for public and professional audiences and do media interviews as needed.
Work closely with the BST to develop processes or protocols unique to specific situations or animal populations.
Train and supervise a team of 3‑4 behavior professionals, holding regular one‑on‑one meetings to share ideas and provide feedback, coaching and guidance.
Assign, implement, and monitor training and behavior modification protocols.
Provide hands‑on animal behavior coaching for behavior, sheltering, medical and other CRC staff.
Partner with sheltering staff to inform the creation and implementation of a robust enrichment program and housing changes to maximize behavioral health.
Work with the Sr. Director Animal Behavior for recruitment, hiring and onboarding of Behavior Staff.
Create professional development plans and support the career growth of direct reports.
Consistently utilize ASPCA developmental tools and conduct yearly performance reviews to measure progress.
Maintain proactive communication with the CRC senior management team on critical situations or issues.
Espouse and model positive, people‑centric management approaches in line with team and organizational Core Values.
Deploy to provide hands‑on behavior services and leadership at ASPCA emergency shelters.
Oversee behavioral assessment and monitoring, playgroups, and, when appropriate, behavior modification sessions.
Provide expert handling using low‑stress and defensive handling skills.
Partner with sheltering and medical staff to provide integrative care as a unified team.
Support NFR’s and BST’s field and forensics work, handling animals during removal on‑scene, serving as an expert handler during transports, and assisting with forensic behavior evaluations as needed.
Understand Incident Command System (ICS) and adhere to chain of command during deployments.
Collaborate on Learning Lab Program; provide facilitation and hands‑on training both remotely and in‑person as requested.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Senior Director, Animal Behavior.
Education & Work Experience:
High School Diploma, GED, or Equivalent Experience.
Minimum of 2 years’ experience managing and/or leading people, preferably in an animal‑related industry.
Minimum of 3 years’ experience working as a professional animal trainer/behaviorist, evaluating and treating dogs and cats with behavior problems.
3 years’ experience working in animal shelters required.
Experience with dogs exhibiting extreme aggression, fear and excessive arousal strongly preferred.
Experience with additional species, such as horses, birds, and livestock, is a plus.
CAAB/ACAAB certification, IAABC certification or eligibility is a plus.
CPDT‑KA/KSA certification required within 1 year of hire.
Training, education or advanced degree in animal behavior field (animal behavior/cognition, experimental psychology, zoology, animal science, etc.) a plus.
Low Stress Handling® University Silver‑Level certification required within six months of hire.
Disaster Sheltering and FEMA Incident Command System courses (100, 200, 700, 800) required within 90 days of hire.
Qualifications:
Exceptional behavior modification skills.
Thorough companion animal behavior and animal welfare knowledge.
Excellent low‑stress animal handling and restraint skills.
Displays care and concern for safety and well‑being of self, animals, and others during stressful situations.
Comfortable giving consultative input on pathway decisions including euthanasia.
Comfortable handling animals for humane euthanasia procedures.
Highly effective managerial and staff coaching skills.
Excellent organizational and time‑management skills.
Good team player; a “people person” who enjoys and excels at collaboration.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Superior problem‑solving abilities; likes to troubleshoot and find solutions when facing challenges.
Ability to thrive in fast‑paced, potentially stressful environments.
Extremely flexible and easily adapt to frequent changes to plans/protocols.
Meticulous data collection and reporting skills.
Able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds; stand for 8+ hours and perform physically demanding tasks.
Able to work in physically challenging conditions and wear protective gear; may be exposed to chemical and biological hazards.
Fluent in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint; familiarity with Shelter Manager or other shelter software systems; Salesforce a plus.
Valid driver’s license and safe driving history.
Stay Connected – Join Our Talent Community If you are interested in joining our team but do not see a position listed that fits your experience or interests, join our Talent Community to stay connected to future opportunities with the ASPCA.
Our EEO Policy The ASPCA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws.
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Who We Are: At the CRC, a dedicated team of professionals serve animals rescued in ASPCA national cruelty cases and disaster responses. Experts in shelter medicine, operations and shelter animal behavior constantly collaborate to provide high‑quality integrative care, prioritizing both physical and psychological well‑being. As they engage in hands‑on care, teams prioritize the elevation of our work through ongoing learning, advancing the animal welfare field through research, developing effective, efficient interventions, establishing new best practices, and sharing innovations with other organizations nationwide.
What You’ll Do: The Senior Manager, Animal Behavior is based at the CRC but travels regularly to provide behavior leadership and services at emergency shelters and to assist the Behavioral Sciences Team (BST) with low‑stress handling during animal removals on‑scene. Led by the Senior Director, Animal Behavior, this role works alongside two other Senior Managers. Each supervises 3‑4 Behavior Specialists (a team of 11 in total), providing ongoing mentorship, coaching and development support. Together, the members of the CRC behavior branch focus on continually assessing and optimizing behavioral health of the animals.
When & Where You’ll Work:
This is an in‑person position located at the Cruelty Recovery Center in Columbus, OH.
Available to regularly work 4 days per week, 7:30am‑5:30pm, including one weekend day, and available to work a flexible schedule when needed including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Must be willing and able to travel up to 25% of the time, often on short notice and for 7‑ to 10‑day periods.
What You’ll Get: Compensation Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, training, experience, location, business needs, internal equity, market demands or budgeted amount for the role. The target hiring range for new hire offers is $88,500 - $92,500 annually. Staff compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time, with the maximum reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience.
Benefits
Affordable health coverage, including medical, employer‑paid dental, and optional vision coverage.
Flexible time off that includes vacation time, sick and bereavement time, paid parental leave, 10 company holidays, and paid personal time off.
Competitive financial incentives and retirement savings, including a 401(k) plan with generous employer contributions – we match dollar for dollar up to 4% and provide an additional 4% contribution toward your future each year.
Robust professional development opportunities, including classes, on‑the‑job training, coaching and mentorship with industry‑leading peers, internal mobility, and opportunities to support in the field.
For more information on our benefits offerings, visit our website.
Responsibilities:
Monitor the behavioral health of all animals in our care.
Conduct daily behavior rounds of all animals in the shelter and regularly participate in shelter daily rounds.
Create daily treatment plans and coordinate with other Senior Managers to align behavior staff activities.
Participate in Medical, Sheltering, and Behavior meetings to ensure smooth collaboration and holistic care for animals.
Assign dogs to playgroup participation; monitor and track their behavior.
Conduct behavior evaluations for a variety of populations (hoarding case and puppy mill dogs, fighting dogs, shelter dogs and cats, animals rescued during disaster relief efforts).
Serve as an expert handler for fearful and/or aggressive dogs during medical exams, intake procedures, and humane euthanasia.
Monitor the effectiveness of treatment interventions through the behavior database to track shelter animal progress.
Lead weekly treatment meetings with CRC behavior staff to troubleshoot behavior modification techniques and inform outcome decisions.
Provide behavior support to Response Partners and foster parents or delegate the task to Behavior Specialists when appropriate.
Ensure that all team members have received training and mastered the skills to handle dogs and cats in a low‑stress manner, and that they implement these handling techniques consistently.
Provide a safe and compassionate environment for animals, staff, and clients using low‑stress handling techniques.
Instill the guiding principle that everyone can and should actively support the animals’ behavioral and mental health in everything they do.
Oversee the collection and organization of footage for the behavior video library; provide videos for media, animal placement and educational uses.
Adhere to all protocols set forth by the ASPCA, including behavior modification and training procedures, enrichment, animal handling, and general medical and sheltering protocols.
Teach classes and give talks for public and professional audiences and do media interviews as needed.
Work closely with the BST to develop processes or protocols unique to specific situations or animal populations.
Train and supervise a team of 3‑4 behavior professionals, holding regular one‑on‑one meetings to share ideas and provide feedback, coaching and guidance.
Assign, implement, and monitor training and behavior modification protocols.
Provide hands‑on animal behavior coaching for behavior, sheltering, medical and other CRC staff.
Partner with sheltering staff to inform the creation and implementation of a robust enrichment program and housing changes to maximize behavioral health.
Work with the Sr. Director Animal Behavior for recruitment, hiring and onboarding of Behavior Staff.
Create professional development plans and support the career growth of direct reports.
Consistently utilize ASPCA developmental tools and conduct yearly performance reviews to measure progress.
Maintain proactive communication with the CRC senior management team on critical situations or issues.
Espouse and model positive, people‑centric management approaches in line with team and organizational Core Values.
Deploy to provide hands‑on behavior services and leadership at ASPCA emergency shelters.
Oversee behavioral assessment and monitoring, playgroups, and, when appropriate, behavior modification sessions.
Provide expert handling using low‑stress and defensive handling skills.
Partner with sheltering and medical staff to provide integrative care as a unified team.
Support NFR’s and BST’s field and forensics work, handling animals during removal on‑scene, serving as an expert handler during transports, and assisting with forensic behavior evaluations as needed.
Understand Incident Command System (ICS) and adhere to chain of command during deployments.
Collaborate on Learning Lab Program; provide facilitation and hands‑on training both remotely and in‑person as requested.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Senior Director, Animal Behavior.
Education & Work Experience:
High School Diploma, GED, or Equivalent Experience.
Minimum of 2 years’ experience managing and/or leading people, preferably in an animal‑related industry.
Minimum of 3 years’ experience working as a professional animal trainer/behaviorist, evaluating and treating dogs and cats with behavior problems.
3 years’ experience working in animal shelters required.
Experience with dogs exhibiting extreme aggression, fear and excessive arousal strongly preferred.
Experience with additional species, such as horses, birds, and livestock, is a plus.
CAAB/ACAAB certification, IAABC certification or eligibility is a plus.
CPDT‑KA/KSA certification required within 1 year of hire.
Training, education or advanced degree in animal behavior field (animal behavior/cognition, experimental psychology, zoology, animal science, etc.) a plus.
Low Stress Handling® University Silver‑Level certification required within six months of hire.
Disaster Sheltering and FEMA Incident Command System courses (100, 200, 700, 800) required within 90 days of hire.
Qualifications:
Exceptional behavior modification skills.
Thorough companion animal behavior and animal welfare knowledge.
Excellent low‑stress animal handling and restraint skills.
Displays care and concern for safety and well‑being of self, animals, and others during stressful situations.
Comfortable giving consultative input on pathway decisions including euthanasia.
Comfortable handling animals for humane euthanasia procedures.
Highly effective managerial and staff coaching skills.
Excellent organizational and time‑management skills.
Good team player; a “people person” who enjoys and excels at collaboration.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Superior problem‑solving abilities; likes to troubleshoot and find solutions when facing challenges.
Ability to thrive in fast‑paced, potentially stressful environments.
Extremely flexible and easily adapt to frequent changes to plans/protocols.
Meticulous data collection and reporting skills.
Able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds; stand for 8+ hours and perform physically demanding tasks.
Able to work in physically challenging conditions and wear protective gear; may be exposed to chemical and biological hazards.
Fluent in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint; familiarity with Shelter Manager or other shelter software systems; Salesforce a plus.
Valid driver’s license and safe driving history.
Stay Connected – Join Our Talent Community If you are interested in joining our team but do not see a position listed that fits your experience or interests, join our Talent Community to stay connected to future opportunities with the ASPCA.
Our EEO Policy The ASPCA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws.
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