ASPCA
Senior Manager, Animal Behavior
Join to apply for the
Senior Manager, Animal Behavior
role at
ASPCA . 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 serves animals rescued in ASPCA national cruelty cases and disaster responses. Experts in shelter medicine, operations, and shelter animal behavior continuously collaborate to provide high-quality integrative care, prioritizing both physical and psychological well‑being. We engage in hands‑on care, continual learning, research, developing effective interventions, establishing best practices, and sharing innovations 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 during animal removals on‑scene. Led by the Senior Director, this role works alongside two other Senior Managers. Together, the CRC behavior branch supervises 3–4 Behavior Specialists (a total team of 11), providing mentorship, coaching, and development support, and continually assessing and optimizing the 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, 7:30 am–5:30 pm, including one weekend day, and flexible schedule when needed (days, evenings, weekends, 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. Schedules are subject to change at the sole discretion of the ASPCA. Compensation
The target hiring range for this role is $88,500 – $92,500 annually. Salary may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time. Benefits
Affordable health coverage, including medical and employer‑paid dental, with optional vision coverage. Flexible time off: vacation, sick and bereavement, paid parental leave, 10 company holidays, and paid personal time. 401(k) plan with generous employer contributions—match up to 4% and an additional 4% contribution toward your future each year. Professional development opportunities: classes, on‑the‑job training, coaching, and mentorship with industry‑leading peers, internal mobility, and field support. Responsibilities
CRC Behavioral Support & Data Collection
Monitor the behavioral health of all animals in our care. Conduct daily behavior rounds and regularly participate in shelter daily rounds to ensure timely delivery of care and open communication. Create daily treatment plans and coordinate with the other Senior Managers to align staff activities. Participate in Medical, Sheltering, and Behavior meetings for collaborative, holistic care. Assign dogs to playgroup participation, monitor, and track behavior. Conduct behavior evaluations for various populations (hoarding case and puppy mill dogs, fighting dogs, shelter dogs and cats, animals rescued during disaster relief). Serve as an expert handler for fearful or aggressive dogs (e.g., during medical exams, intake procedures, humane euthanasia). Monitor intervention effectiveness through behavior database to track shelter animal progress. Lead weekly treatment meetings with CRC behavior staff to troubleshoot techniques and inform outcome decisions. Provide behavior support to Response Partners, foster parents, or delegate to Behavior Specialists when appropriate. Ensure all team members are trained in low‑stress handling and consistently apply techniques. Provide a safe and compassionate environment for animals, staff, and clients using low‑stress handling techniques. Instill the guiding principle that everyone actively supports animal behavioral and mental health in all activities. Oversee footage collection and organization for the behavior video library; provide videos for media, placement, and educational uses. Adhere to ASPCA protocols, including behavior modification, training, enrichment, handling, and general medical and sheltering protocols. Teach classes, give talks for public and professional audiences, and conduct media interviews as needed. Collaborate with the Behavioral Sciences Team to develop unique protocols for particular situations or animal populations. People Management, Coaching & Team Leadership
Train and supervise a team of 3–4 behavior professionals, holding regular one‑on‑one meetings for coaching and feedback. 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 enrichment programs and housing changes for maximum behavioral health. Work with Sr. Director Animal Behavior on recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of Behavior Staff. Create professional development plans and support career growth of direct reports. Conduct yearly performance reviews using ASPCA developmental tools to measure progress. Maintain proactive communication with CRC senior management on critical situations or issues. Espouse and model positive, people‑centric management approaches aligned with organization Core Values. Emergency Shelter Support & Other Responsibilities
Deploy to provide hands‑on behavior services and leadership at ASPCA emergency shelters. Oversee behavioral assessment and monitoring, playgroups, and behavior modification sessions. Provide expert handling during transfers, transports, and forensic behavior evaluations as needed. Collaborate with sheltering and medical staff for integrative care. Understand Incident Command System (ICS) and adhere to chain of command during deployments. Collaborate on Learning Lab Program, providing facilitation and hands‑on training 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 managing or leading people, preferably in an animal‑related industry. Minimum of 3 years experience as a professional animal trainer/behaviorist, handling, evaluating, and treating dogs and cats with behavior problems. 3 years experience in animal shelters. Experience with dogs exhibiting extreme aggression, fear, and excessive arousal strongly preferred. Experience with additional species (horses, birds, 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) is 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. Comfortable providing 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; work standing for 8+ hours and move freely in stressful conditions. Able to work in physically challenging conditions and wear appropriate protective gear, including masks; exposure to biological hazards, sharp objects, uneven surfaces. Fluent in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint; familiarity with Shelter Manager or similar; Salesforce a plus. Must provide a valid driver’s license upon hire and pass motor vehicle history check. Stay Connected – Join Our Talent Community
If you are interested in joining our team but don’t see a position listed that fits your experience or interests, please join our Talent Community to stay connected to future opportunities with the ASPCA. Language
English (Required). 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. Please inform the ASPCA’s People Team if you need an accommodation. About Us
The ASPCA was founded in 1866 to protect animals. As a 501(c)(3) not‑profit, we operate animal hospitals, clinics, a rehabilitation center for canine victims of cruelty, adoption centers, and more. We assist animals nationwide through disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, placement, advocacy, and research. Our staff values collaboration, compassion, and diversity.
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Join to apply for the
Senior Manager, Animal Behavior
role at
ASPCA . 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 serves animals rescued in ASPCA national cruelty cases and disaster responses. Experts in shelter medicine, operations, and shelter animal behavior continuously collaborate to provide high-quality integrative care, prioritizing both physical and psychological well‑being. We engage in hands‑on care, continual learning, research, developing effective interventions, establishing best practices, and sharing innovations 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 during animal removals on‑scene. Led by the Senior Director, this role works alongside two other Senior Managers. Together, the CRC behavior branch supervises 3–4 Behavior Specialists (a total team of 11), providing mentorship, coaching, and development support, and continually assessing and optimizing the 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, 7:30 am–5:30 pm, including one weekend day, and flexible schedule when needed (days, evenings, weekends, 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. Schedules are subject to change at the sole discretion of the ASPCA. Compensation
The target hiring range for this role is $88,500 – $92,500 annually. Salary may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time. Benefits
Affordable health coverage, including medical and employer‑paid dental, with optional vision coverage. Flexible time off: vacation, sick and bereavement, paid parental leave, 10 company holidays, and paid personal time. 401(k) plan with generous employer contributions—match up to 4% and an additional 4% contribution toward your future each year. Professional development opportunities: classes, on‑the‑job training, coaching, and mentorship with industry‑leading peers, internal mobility, and field support. Responsibilities
CRC Behavioral Support & Data Collection
Monitor the behavioral health of all animals in our care. Conduct daily behavior rounds and regularly participate in shelter daily rounds to ensure timely delivery of care and open communication. Create daily treatment plans and coordinate with the other Senior Managers to align staff activities. Participate in Medical, Sheltering, and Behavior meetings for collaborative, holistic care. Assign dogs to playgroup participation, monitor, and track behavior. Conduct behavior evaluations for various populations (hoarding case and puppy mill dogs, fighting dogs, shelter dogs and cats, animals rescued during disaster relief). Serve as an expert handler for fearful or aggressive dogs (e.g., during medical exams, intake procedures, humane euthanasia). Monitor intervention effectiveness through behavior database to track shelter animal progress. Lead weekly treatment meetings with CRC behavior staff to troubleshoot techniques and inform outcome decisions. Provide behavior support to Response Partners, foster parents, or delegate to Behavior Specialists when appropriate. Ensure all team members are trained in low‑stress handling and consistently apply techniques. Provide a safe and compassionate environment for animals, staff, and clients using low‑stress handling techniques. Instill the guiding principle that everyone actively supports animal behavioral and mental health in all activities. Oversee footage collection and organization for the behavior video library; provide videos for media, placement, and educational uses. Adhere to ASPCA protocols, including behavior modification, training, enrichment, handling, and general medical and sheltering protocols. Teach classes, give talks for public and professional audiences, and conduct media interviews as needed. Collaborate with the Behavioral Sciences Team to develop unique protocols for particular situations or animal populations. People Management, Coaching & Team Leadership
Train and supervise a team of 3–4 behavior professionals, holding regular one‑on‑one meetings for coaching and feedback. 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 enrichment programs and housing changes for maximum behavioral health. Work with Sr. Director Animal Behavior on recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of Behavior Staff. Create professional development plans and support career growth of direct reports. Conduct yearly performance reviews using ASPCA developmental tools to measure progress. Maintain proactive communication with CRC senior management on critical situations or issues. Espouse and model positive, people‑centric management approaches aligned with organization Core Values. Emergency Shelter Support & Other Responsibilities
Deploy to provide hands‑on behavior services and leadership at ASPCA emergency shelters. Oversee behavioral assessment and monitoring, playgroups, and behavior modification sessions. Provide expert handling during transfers, transports, and forensic behavior evaluations as needed. Collaborate with sheltering and medical staff for integrative care. Understand Incident Command System (ICS) and adhere to chain of command during deployments. Collaborate on Learning Lab Program, providing facilitation and hands‑on training 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 managing or leading people, preferably in an animal‑related industry. Minimum of 3 years experience as a professional animal trainer/behaviorist, handling, evaluating, and treating dogs and cats with behavior problems. 3 years experience in animal shelters. Experience with dogs exhibiting extreme aggression, fear, and excessive arousal strongly preferred. Experience with additional species (horses, birds, 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) is 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. Comfortable providing 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; work standing for 8+ hours and move freely in stressful conditions. Able to work in physically challenging conditions and wear appropriate protective gear, including masks; exposure to biological hazards, sharp objects, uneven surfaces. Fluent in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint; familiarity with Shelter Manager or similar; Salesforce a plus. Must provide a valid driver’s license upon hire and pass motor vehicle history check. Stay Connected – Join Our Talent Community
If you are interested in joining our team but don’t see a position listed that fits your experience or interests, please join our Talent Community to stay connected to future opportunities with the ASPCA. Language
English (Required). 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. Please inform the ASPCA’s People Team if you need an accommodation. About Us
The ASPCA was founded in 1866 to protect animals. As a 501(c)(3) not‑profit, we operate animal hospitals, clinics, a rehabilitation center for canine victims of cruelty, adoption centers, and more. We assist animals nationwide through disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, placement, advocacy, and research. Our staff values collaboration, compassion, and diversity.
#J-18808-Ljbffr