Animal Welfare Specialist (Hiring Immediately)

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 Care & Enrichment Technician at the ASPCA's new Recovery & Rehabilitation Center (R&R Center) in Pawling, NY might be right for you!   The individual in this role is responsible for providing sheltering that is conducive to the behavioral and medical health of resident animals. Care & Enrichment Technicians ensure a safe, healthy, clean, and enriched environment, and assist in providing the mental and physical activities animals need to regain and maintain their wellbeing.   Successful candidates for Care & Enrichment Technician are adaptive, resilient, collaborative, curious, and capable of prolonged physical activity. The person in this role must be comfortable working with dogs with significant behavioral and medical needs.   Recovery & Rehabilitation Center Overview & Upcoming Launch"¯  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.   This position has a target start date of6/2/2025. Responsibilities: Responsibilities include but are not limited to:"¯  Functional Duties(85%)  Maintain working knowledge of all Care & Enrichment daily protocols  Maintain working knowledge of relevant regulatory requirements, and keeps accurate records of compliance activities  Clean, sanitize, and prepare animal housing areas according to established protocols   Perform repeated daily checks of animal holding areas, spot cleaning, feeding, watering, and providing enrichment according to relevant protocols  Create and maintain safe and comfortable enriched kennels for all dogs  Provide enrichment activities according to the daily enrichment schedule   Provide food, water, and medication based on veterinary orders and behavior modification plans  Monitor the eating, drinking, and elimination habits of every animal   Monitor the population for signs of physical or mental decline, promptly reporting concerns through the appropriate channels   Assist in overseeing volunteers as they perform animal related tasks, providing coaching and encouragement; demonstrate respect and gratitude for volunteer support  Assist with handling and documentation during dog playgroups  Assist with the transport of dogs to and from emergency and specialty veterinarians, and between ASPCA facilities as needed  Assist with the physical movement of animals into and out of the shelter using low-stress animal handling techniques and following applicable organizational policies and protocols  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   Send timely medical and behavior observation reports and actively engage within and across teams to implement interventions  Attend all required huddles throughout the day, reporting on progress, asking for or providing assistance as needed   Attend and participate in training classes as scheduled by the Manager, Care and Enrichment  Continually support teammates, working together to stay on track in order to best serve the animals  Keep animal care and enrichment equipment and supplies organized, efficiently located, and in good repair, reporting missing, broken, or inadequate tools to management   Monitor the inventory and conditions of animal care and enrichment supplies, requesting additional supplies before stock is depleted   Be willing to deploy locally or nationally as part of an ASPCA response when the opportunity arises and approved by the Manager, Care and Enrichment.  Operational and Administrative Duties (15%)   Maintain meticulous records for every animal in appropriate databases   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"¯"¯"¯  Responsibly steward R&R Center assets"¯  Core Values  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  Education and Work Experience  High School Diploma or GED required  Professional, academic or volunteer animal care experience with dogs is required   6 months of professional or volunteer animal care experience with dogs is strongly preferred   Animal shelter experience with dogs strongly preferred; dog boarding or veterinary clinic experience with dogs preferred  Previous experience working in an animal shelter preferred   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  Ability and willingness to travel up to 10% of the time"¯  Able to work a flexible schedule, including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays   Dependable and ability to demonstrate regular and reliable attendance

Created: 2025-05-01