Senior Manager, Care & Enrichment - Behavior Rehabilitation Center

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

Team Leadership and Staff Management (65%)

• Manage and supervise a team of 8 Care & Enrichment Technicians

• Direct and support the Care and Enrichment team to monitor and help maintain the medical and behavioral health of shelter animals; ensure proper daily care and adherence to nutrition, sanitation and infectious disease-prevention protocols.

• Be a consistent and visible presence "on the floor" to answer any questions, make timely operational and staffing adjustments, offer and receive feedback, lend a hand and ensure deep understanding and compliance with the BRC's daily operations.

• Develop and implement annual professional development plans for each direct report, leveraging tools provided by the ASPCA; guide staff to achieve individual yearly goals.

• Conduct weekly one-on one meetings with direct reports to provide ongoing feedback and support, clearly communicate expectations, and provide coaching.

• Conduct annual feedback and career development conversations with each direct report.

• Create monthly and daily schedules for CETs

• Assist the Senior Director, Operations in maintaining a fully staffed team, hiring and onboarding new Care and Enrichment Technicians as necessary

• Lead the team through transitions in protocols, routines and responsibilities.

• Recognize need and coordinate regular trainings and refresher courses for team members, including but not limited to running playgroup, importance of sharing behavioral observations, canine body language, defensive handling, etc.

• Guide and motivate staff to ensure an appropriate work-life balance

• With the Senior Director, Operations, nurture a culture of learning at the BRC including ensuring a respectful and welcoming environment, active participation in goal setting and monitoring, clear expectations and regular practice of feedback and after-actions.

Animal Care & Operations (25%)

• Create enrichment plans and approve new enrichment strategies

• Fill in as needed with morning cleaning process, anywhere needed to support the CET team

• Ensure that enrichment programs are implemented and maintained; that staff are trained and compliant; that adequate supplies are on hand; and that animals are receiving an appropriate variety of items and experiences to support and enhance behavioral health

• Assist with treatment sessions as needed

• In partnership with other BRC team leads and managers, share dog status updates and outcome decisions during a weekly all-staff meeting; answer staff questions about the "why" behind decisions, both in group and one-on-one settings

• Drive an ASPCA vehicle, transport animals when needed.

• Create and post care and enrichment related kennel signage

• Review SOPs on a quarterly basis and ensure changes and updates are communicated to the entire team

• Continually assess the efficacy of BRC animal enrichment, innovating and encouraging the team to work together to maintain a robust, comprehensive program

• Research and develop best practices in sheltering, enrichment and animal care/handling, including advances in emergency shelter practices

• Attend workshops and webinars for animal welfare professionals to expand the sheltering, rehabilitation and recovery work of the ASPCA; share learning with the entire Care and Enrichment team upon return

• Model the guiding principle that everyone can-and should-actively support the animals' behavioral and mental health in everything they do.

• Act as handler for fearful and/or aggressive dogs (e.g., during medical exams, intake procedures, euthanasia)

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Sr. Director
  

Cross-Team Networking & Collaboration (10%)

• Work with the Manager, Volunteers and Fosters to integrate volunteers into daily tasks, setting clear expectations, providing guidance as needed while communicating respect and gratitude for volunteer support.

• Collaborate with as Learning Lab and represent the BRC during teaching weeks to field questions related to Operations processes & procedures as necessary in the absence of the Senior Director of Operations.

• Communicate with Medical branch and Behavior Rehab branch to integrate and align animal care and treatment and to facilitate communication among the branches. Attend daily and/or weekly meetings to ensure effective communication and collaboration with Medical & Behavior teams.

• Work closely with other departments across the organization towards organizational alignment of operation tools and best practices

• Participate at leadership level in operational and programmatic decisions

• Support all other department activities which will contribute to the advancement and success of the team and the ASPCA as identified by supervisor
  

Qualifications:

• Must be a compassionate caregiver for animals, and take pride keeping animals and facility clean

• Ability to use low-stress animal handling and restraint skills

• Always treats people and animals with care and respect

• Maintain a positive, professional attitude at all times; must have a genuine interest in leading others; respects team members and coworkers at all levels

• Flexible communicator with excellent communication skills: ability to interact with diverse personalities and groups

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, potentially stressful environment; must be flexible and easily accept frequent changes to plans/protocols.

• Ability to walk, bend, stand and reach constantly during a minimum 8-hour day.

• Working knowledge of or willingness to learn and use MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and One Note

• Ability to observe and accurately interpret animal behavior

• Excellent team player, a "people person" who enjoys collaboration.

• Excellent organization skills

• Superior problem-solving and compromise abilities

• Likes to troubleshoot and find solutions when facing challenges.

• Works well under pressure.

• The ability to work closely with behaviorally compromised animals and feel comfortable working in an environment where euthanasia is performed on a regular basis.

• Exemplifies the ASPCA's Core Values:

• Has Commitment and dedication to improving the lives of animals

• Demonstrates Ownership and feels responsible for outcomes

• Believes in Team - that we are stronger together

• Seeks to Elevate others and reimagine what is possible

• Focuses on Impact, specifically making change for animals

Additional Information:

• Must provide a valid driver's license upon hire and pass a motor vehicle history check demonstrating a safe driving history

• Position requires schedule flexibility and occasional overtime during off-hours, weekends, evening hours and possible holiday support

Language:

English (required)

Education and Work Experience:

• High School Diploma or GED required

• At least 3 years of direct people-management experience required

• At least 2 years of experience working in an animal shelter performing direct care work with animals

• Experience monitoring playgroups in a shelter setting is preferred

• Basic understanding of animal learning, training and behavior modification with a focus on what is best for the animal strongly preferred

• Experience working with under socialized dogs with extreme fear issues is strongly preferred

• FearFree Shelter Certification is required within 6 months of hire

Compensation and Benefits:

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 is for new hire offers only, and staff compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. The expected hiring salary range for this role is set forth below and may be modified in the future.