Manager, Feline Behavior

Summary:

Overview:

Are you passionate about feline behavior and ready to lead a team dedicated to transforming the lives of cats in need? The ASPCA is seeking a Manager of Feline Behavior to oversee our feline behavior program at the Animal Recovery Center (ARC). This is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of vulnerable cats.

Who We Are

The ARC (Animal Recovery Center) is dedicated to the recovery and rehabilitation of victims of cruelty and neglect admitted through NYPD and the ASPCA’s Humane Law Enforcement (HLE) and Community Engagement (CE) programs. Our dedicated team of more than 45 sheltering, medical, and animal behavior professionals, within the Shelter and Rehabilitation Operations division, work closely with the ASPCA Animal Hospital, Forensics, Legal Advocacy and Investigations, Behavioral Sciences, Shelter Medicine Services, Community Engagement, Centralized Placement, and Relocation Services, to ensure coordinated response and operations, and holistic, balanced, high quality care for the animals we serve in alignment with the organization’s priorities.

What You’ll Do

The Manager, Feline Behavior (the Manager) reports to the Senior Director of Behavior, ARC/CARE and has one direct report, a Behavior Specialist. The Manager is responsible for overseeing the feline behavior program within ARC. The Manager ensures the behavior and direct care teams are using behavior best practices to support cats’ psychological wellbeing.

The Manager leads the feline behavior team in providing safe, high quality behavioral care for animals from intake through discharge. This oversight consists of:

• A coordinated, balanced approach among behavior, medical and sheltering to provide integrated care.
• Routine, frequent assessment of each animal’s behavioral, medical, and legal status to allow for efficient, effective interventions and timely disposition decisions.
• A well-structured, robust daily enrichment program that incorporates physical and mental exercise, socialization and sensory stimulation.
• For each animal eligible for behavior modification, the development and implementation of a structured treatment plan and record keeping.

The Manager will provide leadership by providing ongoing coaching and training to ensure ASPCA policies, behavioral competencies, and low stress handling techniques are consistently followed. In addition, the Manager will be responsible for establishing a safe and compassionate environment by fostering a positive and productive work environment in accordance with our organizational core values. 

The Manager participates in direct, on-site work with animals in the ARC, ASPCA Animal Hospital (AAH), and the Adoption Center (AC), as well as off-site at partner locations and in foster homes. This position requires sometimes lengthy work with behaviorally compromised animals; the information gathered during this work is used to make disposition decisions which can include euthanasia where appropriate.

Where and When You’ll Work

• This position is an onsite role at our 92nd Street ASPCA Location. 
• The schedule is Sunday-Thursday, 9-5 pm, with one work from home day as operationally permitted.
• Weekends, evenings and some holidays are required
• Deployment with the Behavioral Sciences Team or locally with NYPD/CE at least 1 time per year

What You’ll Get

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 $87,000-$92,000 annually.

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.