Professional Responder - Animal Care & Handling

Overview 

The ASPCA National Field & Disaster Response (NFDR) Team deploys nationwide to remove animals from crisis situations created by natural disasters like hurricanes, tornados, floods, and wildfires, or by animal abuse like animal fighting, puppy mills, hoarding, or neglect.

We welcome responders with diverse skillsets including medical care, animal sheltering, transportation, logistics, technical rescue and more. 

The role of the Professional Responder - Animal Care & Handling is to help animals in our care by providing a humane, safe, and clean experience that helps reduce stress. This role observes, supports, and reports any behavioral or medical concerns to the proper point of contact.

About this Opportunity:

• This is a contingent position and the person hired will be employed through a third-party staffing agency.  

• The target hiring range for this role is $20-$25 per hour and may be modified in the future. 

• This role is part of an on-demand responder pool with unpredictable needs. Due to the high application volume and varying needs, application reviews will be conducted periodically when the NFDR team identifies a specific need. There may be a significant delay, or no follow-up, after applying. 

Where and When You’ll Work 

Support is requested wherever and whenever the need arises. By joining our team as a Responder, you may have the opportunity to assist in field response, disaster response, or other emergent needs. Expectations are as follows: 

• Commitment of 7 or more days of travel (2 travel days and 5 working days) per deployment 

• This is a variable hour opportunity . NFDR cases can last weeks or months, and the NFDR team may call upon you to activate when your availability and credentials match our need. 

• The ability to deploy a minimum of 4 times per year.

• Ability to activate quickly, often with only a few days to one week notice. 

• Animal Care and Handlers may often take rotations at our Cruelty Recovery Center in Columbus, OH. 

What You’ll Do 

Animal Care and Handlers report directly to the Senior Manager, National Responder Strategy and have no direct reports . 

Roles can include, but are not limited to: 

• Large, Small, Exotic, or Avian Animal Handling Specialist 

• Forensic and Medical Exam Handler 

• Forensic and Medical Exam Scribe 

• Flood and Swiftwater Rescue Specialist 

• Wildland Fire Rescue Specialist 

• Certified Behavior Specialist 

• Shelter Operations Lead 

• Licensed Boat Operator 

• Transportation Assistant- Animal Care

• Veterinary Assistant

• Certified Veterinary Technician 

Responsibilities 

Responsibilities are listed in general order of importance. They include but are not limited to:

• Provides safe and humane capture and containment of stray, abandoned, unattended, diseased, or injured animals.  

• Ensures safety precautions for the public and animals when working in potentially dangerous situations with unfamiliar and unpredictable animals.  

• Observes animal appearance and activity for general physical condition, obvious signs of illness and discontent in the shelter, field, or on transport. 

• Performs necessary cleaning and maintenance of all equipment and tools used in job assignments.  

• Understands and comply with relevant Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) pertaining to animal handling, care, and transport whether in a field or shelter setting.  

• Maintains a safe, clean environment for team members to work and for animals to reside. 

• Other duties as assigned by the current Field or Shelter Lead. 

• Must follow all Responder Expectations, Policies and Code of Conduct.      

• Duties may be performed in a kennel environment with regular exposure to high noise levels, chemical cleaning agents, animal dander and wet floors.   

• Duties may involve exposure to the elements which include but not limited to: working in extreme temperatures (hot and cold) for long periods of time, exposure to potentially fractious animals (including the risk of animal bites and scratches) and exposure to zoonotic diseases (which can be transferred from animals to people). 

Qualifications : 

• At least 1 year of animal handling experience with the ASPCA or another animal welfare organization is desired.

• Utilizes a holistic approach to problem solving.   

• Ability to communicate calmly, clearly and effectively in high stress environments.    

• Ability to organize and guide individuals.   

• Flexibility to adjust to new conditions and challenges.   

• Has practical, relevant experience in small and/or large animal handling.   

• Can assess basic small and/or large animal behavior.   

• Ensures appropriate daily care is being provided.   

• Capable of safe and humane handling of fractious, dangerous or difficult-to-handle animals.  

• Experience utilizing specialized animal rescue equipment preferred.  

• Ability to bend, crouch, crawl, and kneel.   

• Ability to repeatedly lift up to 50 pounds.  

• Ability to understand and follow protocols on wearing and maintaining proper PPE. 

• Demonstrates care and concern for the well-being of animals.   

Language: 

• English (Required) 

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).

Applicant Notices : Applicants have rights under federal employment laws: Equal Employment Opportunity ; Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) ; Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) ; Uniformed Services Employment Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) . Candidates residing in CA, CO, Flagstaff (AZ), IL, IN, Los Angeles (CA), Los Angeles County (CA), MA, ME, NJ, NM, NYC, OR, Philadelphia (PA), RI, San Francisco (CA), and WI should click here for additional information about general applicant notices.