Manager, Care & Enrichment

Summary:

Are you passionate about helping animals in need and eager to advance the field of animal welfare? Do you thrive in a dynamic, complex, highly collaborative environment? If so, the role of Manager, Care & Enrichment at the ASPCA’s new Recovery & Rehabilitation Center (R&R Center) in Pawling, NY might be right for you!  

The application for this position will be open until Tuesday, May 5 at 5pm EST .

 

Who We Are:  

The R&R Center in Pawling, NY, is a unique program dedicated to providing integrated sheltering, behavioral, and medical care for canine victims of cruelty. The R&R Center team works closely with ASPCA teams in New York City to help animals rescued in partnership with the NYPD.  

 

What You’ll Do:  

The individual in this role is responsible for overseeing the R&R Center’s team of Care & Enrichment Technicians (CETs), developing, implementing and overseeing daily monitoring processes, meticulous data collection, and ample and open communication within and between teams.  

 

The successful candidate for this role has strong organizational and leadership skills, a positive attitude, and is a model of resilience and adaptability. The Manager, Care & Enrichment is highly collaborative, continually working with colleagues in behavior and veterinary to ensure each animal has holistic and individualized care.  

• The Manager, Care & Enrichment reports directly to the Senior Manager, Care & Enrichment and has 8-9 direct reports.  

 

Where & When You’re Work:  

• This position is an on-site role and reports to the Recovery & Rehabilitation Center in Pawling, NY.  

• Set schedule will be established within the hours of 7am-7pm including at least one weekend day. Ability to work a flexible schedule, including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays as program needs determine is required . Schedules are subject to change at the sole discretion of the ASPCA.  

• Ability and willingness to travel up to 10% of the time  

What You’ll Get:  

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.      

The target hiring range for this role is $68,000 - $73,000 annually  

For more information on our benefits offerings, visit our website .   

Benefits  

At the ASPCA, you don’t have to choose between your passion and making a living. Our comprehensive benefits package helps ensure you can live a rewarding life at work and at home. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:  

• 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 paid holidays, and paid personal time off that allows you even more flexibility to observe the days that mean the most to you .  

• 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, opportunities to support in the field, and so much more.  

For more information on our benefits offerings, visit our website .   

 

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:  

Functional Duties   

• Maintains working knowledge of all Care & Enrichment daily protocols, working with the Senior Director, Operations, Senior Manager and Managers, Care & Enrichment to ensure protocols are clear, concise, and up-to-date 

• Maintains working knowledge of all relevant regulatory requirements, and keeps accurate records of compliance activities 

• Oversee the cleaning and prepping of animal holding area and associated tasks, the provision of enrichment, and the feeding and watering of animals to ensure their daily needs are met

• Arrange daily animal care and enrichment tasks to optimize workflow and ensure efficiency 

• Provide consistent floor management throughout the day, supporting Care & Enrichment Technicians with hands-on guidance and assisting with daily tasks whenever needed to maintain smooth operations and high-quality care. 

• Assist in training and overseeing volunteers as they perform animal related tasks, particularly when directly handling animals, and communicating respect and gratitude for volunteer support 

• Collaborate with behavior and veterinary team members, working together to ensure open and ample communication, excellent care, and close monitoring of every animal in the shelter 

• Together with the Care & Enrichment Technicians, creatively problem solve and take appropriate initiative to solve day to day issues

• Provide continual feedback to the Senior Manager, Care & Enrichment to improve processes and minimize barriers to efficient work and high-quality animal care 

• Contribute to the ongoing development and refinement of daily care and enrichment SOPs, representing the interests of the Care & Enrichment Technicians and working with the behavior and veterinary team to ensure integration

• Audit data entered by Care & Enrichment Technicians on a daily basis to ensure it is accurate, informative, and appropriate to be read in a court of law if internal records were subpoenaed

• Assist in choreographing animal movement into and out of the shelter in a seamless and low-stress manner

• Perform repeated daily checks of animal holding areas, spot cleaning, feeding, watering, and providing enrichment as the need arises, or appropriately delegating the same 

• Hold team huddles at regular intervals throughout the day to determine progress on tasks, who needs additional support, and shape the remainder of the day accordingly

• Develop, implement, and execute strategies to keep animal care and enrichment equipment and supplies organized, efficiently located, and in good repair 

• Monitor the inventory and conditions of animal care and enrichment supplies, requesting additional supplies before stock is depleted

• Perform daily rounds to ensure all animals are in appropriate seized enclosures, and to evaluate the condition of every enclosures, noting any safety or integrity concerns, bringing them to the attention of the Manager, Facilities

People Management  

• Clearly and concisely explain the reasoning behind each protocol, garnering buy-in from Care & Enrichment Technicians and ensuring protocols are used as intended

• Serve as an active floor lead by monitoring workflow, offering real-time support to Care & Enrichment Technicians, and stepping in to complete or assist with daily care tasks as appropriate 

• Oversee the Care & Enrichment team’s daily cleaning, handling, enrichment, monitoring, and documentation 

• Provide regular trainings, keeping Care & Enrichment team up to date on advances in the field and proficient in protocols 

• Work alongside the Care & Enrichment Technicians, assisting in daily care and monitoring adherence to all relevant protocols 

• Provide instant, kind feedback and coaching when a deficiency in any aspect of job performance is noted 

• Ensure team adheres to standard operating procedures, protocols, and set clear, achievable goals 

• Directly and immediately address conflict and concerns as the arise, ensuring difficult conversations are productive, respectful, and meaningful

• Practice delegation for growth, giving direct reports appropriate stretch opportunities to develop new skills 

• Monitor and evaluate employee performance, fostering growth by providing coaching, regular and timely feedback, and formal appraisals 

• Evaluate staffing levels and training needs, providing feedback to the Senior Director, Care & Enrichment on a regular basis

• Regularly recognize team members accomplishments and provide healthy work-related engagement opportunities

 

Operational and Administrative Duties  

• Attend and meaningfully contribute to all relevant R&R Center and ASPCA meetings  

• Accurately track and report time worked, time off, and work-related expenses    

• Review time off requests and weekly hours worked for Care & Enrichment Technicians

• Responsibly steward R&R Center assets  

 

Education and Work Experience 

• High School Diploma or GED required, B.S. or B.A. preferred  

• Minimum of one year of experience leading a team, directly or indirectly 

• At least two years of experience working in an animal shelter in a hands-on role 

• Fear Free® Shelter Program certification (approximately 5 hours) required or completed within 60 days of hire  

 

Qualifications  

• Valid driver’s license and ability to pass a motor vehicle history check demonstrating safe driving 

• Fluent in the use of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint a plus 

• Familiarity with shelter software systems or Salesforce a plus  

• Familiarity with Airtable or project management system a plus 

• Familiarity with Canva or other design software a plus 

• Excellent written and oral communication skills 

• Able to regularly witness animals suffering medically and/or behaviorally 

• Comfortable with humane euthanasia in theory and in practice

• Displays concern for the safety and well-being of self, animals and others, especially under stress 

• Fosters collaboration by creating strong connections with colleagues at all levels and in all areas 

• Builds strong work relationships based on trust, respect, and listening to understand 

• Freely and generously shares knowledge, skills, and expertise with others

• Demonstrates genuine interest in the thoughts, ideas, and expertise of others

• Proactively problem-solves and takes appropriate initiative to implement solutions

• Flexible; can easily adapt to changes and help others do the same  

• Resilient; bounces back from difficult and disappointing situations quickly 

• Strong and adaptable people leader 

• Artfully flexes coaching styles to best support diverse individuals  

• Cultivates a climate in which diverse perspectives are solicited, encouraged, valued, and respected  

• Ability to set a clear direction and inspire others to work towards shared goals 

• Sets a high standard by leading with transparency, integrity, honesty and strong ethical principles 

• Unafraid of hard conversations and approaches them openly, quickly, and kindly

• Views conflict as generative, using disagreement to drive innovation, improve communication, clarify and articulate values, and build stronger relationships

• Values training and education for self and team, ensuring ample access to learning opportunities 

• Work takes place in a variety of environments and weather conditions, including indoor climate-controlled spaces and outdoors where surfaces may be wet or uneven and extreme heat, cold, or precipitation is possible

• Work occurs in noisy environments

• Work involves exposure to chemical and biological hazards such as medications, cleaning products, urine, feces, blood, and sharp objects

• Ability to work in a physically demanding environment that requires standing, walking, bending, squatting, and/or kneeling for extended periods of time 

• Ability to lift and carry animals (50 pounds unassisted, 100 pounds with assistance) and equipment, such as food bags, bedding, and cleaning supplies 

• Comfort and ability to handle and restrain animals safely and humanely, particularly in stressful situations

• Ability to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment, including but not limited to disposable coveralls, respirators or face masks, and booties 

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, please visit our website to join our Talent Community and stay connected to future opportunities with the ASPCA.  

Language:

English (Required)

Education and Work Experience:

High School Diploma, GED, or Equivalent Experience

Stay Connected – Join Our Talent Community:
If you are interested in joining our team but don't feel this position fits your experience or interests, please check out our other open opportunities or consider joining our Talent Community .

About Us:
The ASPCA was founded in 1866 on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment by humans and must be protected under the law. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States.

The ASPCA is headquartered in New York City, where we maintain a full-service animal hospital, spay/neuter clinic, mobile spay/neuter and primary pet care clinics, a rehabilitation center for canine victims of cruelty, kitten nursery, adoption center, and two community veterinary centers.

The ASPCA also operates programs and services that extend nationwide. We assist animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources.

At the ASPCA, we are committed to fostering a collaborative and compassionate culture and we welcome all voices to contribute to our lifesaving mission. Our staff represent a vast array of backgrounds and diversity dimensions, bringing with them valuable experiences and perspectives. They join the ASPCA to learn, grow, and continually do their best work on behalf of animals. We are inspired by our staff, partners, and the communities we support across the country who work to improve animal lives. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion at the ASPCA because it elevates our organizational culture, aligns with our Core Values, and enables us to move further and faster toward the ASPCA’s vision – that all animals live good lives; valued by society, protected by its laws, and free from cruelty, pain and suffering.

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 terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the ASPCA’s standard application process, which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on the ASPCA. Please inform the ASPCA’s People Team if you need an accommodation in order to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.

Individuals seeking employment are considered without regards 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.

ASPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V).

Candidates residing in Colorado, Oregon, Indiana, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Flagstaff, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, and San Francisco should click here for additional information about general candidate notices.