Operations Analyst - ASPCA

$116,000 - $124,000/Yr

Unclassified - Pawling, NY

Full-time - Senior

Pawling, NY

About the position

The Senior Director of Operations at the ASPCA's Recovery & Rehabilitation Center (R&R Center) is a pivotal leadership role designed for a skilled team leader who thrives in a fast-paced and complex work environment. This position is not only about managing operations but also about fostering a healthy team culture while being deeply committed to the welfare of at-risk animals. The Senior Director will oversee a branch of 25 staff members, including direct reports such as the Manager of Placement & Transport, the Senior Manager of Volunteers & Foster, and the Senior Manager of Care & Enrichment. This role is critical in ensuring that all operations within the R&R Center run smoothly, from intake procedures to daily care, enrichment programs, and animal placement and transport. The Senior Director will also work closely with Behavior and Medical staff to ensure the physical and psychological well-being of the animals in care. As the R&R Center prepares for its launch in mid-2025, the Senior Director will play a key role in program development, staff hiring, and facility preparation. This includes collaborating with other leaders to establish a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) package and creating a program launch plan that ensures all staff and resources are in place for a successful start. The position requires a leader who can embrace teamwork to achieve shared goals, has a thorough understanding of shelter operations, and possesses excellent people management skills. Once the R&R Center is operational, the Senior Director will oversee shelter operations, ensuring compliance with health protocols and maintaining the well-being of the animals. This includes managing the intake and transport processes, overseeing volunteer and foster programs, and ensuring that the shelter's supply needs are met. The Senior Director will also be responsible for leading a unified leadership team, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that the staff is aligned with the ASPCA's mission and values. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in animal sheltering and welfare best practices, exceptional leadership abilities, and a commitment to improving the lives of animals.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the R&R Center program development and lead all aspects of Operations Branch preparation, including the development of volunteer, foster, and direct adoptions programs.
• Collaborate with other R&R Center leadership to build team-wide structure and systems.
• Rapidly gain familiarity with ASPCA org-wide goals and strategies; learn about the work of Rehabilitation Services teams.
• Work with other Senior Directors to develop a comprehensive R&R Center SOP package.
• Develop strong relationships with community stakeholders alongside other R&R Center leadership team members.
• Create and execute a program launch plan with the VP and other Senior Directors, ensuring that staff, program structure, and equipment are all in place for the start of operations.
• Develop an onboarding package for all new hires in collaboration with the Program Development Core Team and the R&R Center VP.
• Hire and onboard direct reports and oversee the hiring and onboarding of all other Operations Branch staff.
• Develop a clear vision for team culture and communication, grounded in an integrative care model and aligned with ASPCA Core Values.
• Ensure the development of a healthy, cohesive culture as the R&R Center team grows.
• Serve as a program expert, collaborating with the ASPCA's Real Estate and Capital Projects and Facilities Operations teams to shepherd the R&R Center facility from construction to completion.
• Attend meetings with internal partners and external vendors, providing program-specific input as needed.
• Ensure that all supplies needed by the Behavior Branch are purchased, delivered, and installed on time for launch.
• Ensure that staff become familiar with their new building and receive training on equipment/tools they'll use during daily operations.
• Direct Operations Branch to monitor and help maintain the medical health of animals, ensuring proper daily care and adherence to nutrition, sanitation, and infectious disease-prevention protocols.
• Direct Operations Branch to monitor and help maintain the behavioral health of animals, ensuring the use of low-stress and defensive handling techniques.
• Develop, implement, regularly update, and measure the efficacy of a robust environmental enrichment program in collaboration with the Behavior and Medical branches.
• Manage and oversee animal intake and transport processes, partnering with ASPCA partner teams in New York City.
• Oversee all aspects of the volunteer and foster programs, including training, onboarding, logistics, and management of volunteers/fosters.
• Oversee all aspects of the direct adoptions program and ensure that shelter supply needs are met.
• Stay abreast of sheltering practices and research, sharing new techniques and discoveries with the R&R Center staff.
• Assist with humane euthanasia planning and procedures, modeling collaboration and team ownership of humane euthanasia practices.
• Partner with the Manager of Facilities and Maintenance to ensure that all facility-related issues are resolved and the building and grounds are kept in good condition.
• Ensure compliance with all regulations for operating an animal shelter in New York; work with the ASPCA's internal legal experts to ensure renewal of all licenses on schedule.

Requirements

• Thorough knowledge of animal sheltering and welfare best practices; comprehensive knowledge of animal shelter operations and programs.
• Highly effective people- and team-management abilities; can flex management style to best support diverse individuals.
• Exceptional leadership skills; considers multiple variables and stakeholders when making decisions; can inspire a team and lead through challenges.
• Proven history of building and maintaining positive and productive relationships with others, including peers and direct reports.
• Highly competent coach; able to introduce and help staff implement new procedures and protocols effectively.
• Excellent low-stress animal handling and restraint skills; proven strong defensive handling skills.
• Resilient; able to work closely with and make frequent treatment/outcome decisions about animals who are medically and/or behaviorally compromised.
• Comfortable making humane euthanasia recommendations and participating in euthanasia procedures; able to compassionately answer staff and volunteer questions regarding euthanasia decisions.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; able to share information with sensitivity and clarity.
• Possesses critical thinking skills and the ability to switch between multiple tasks swiftly and competently.
• Driven and eager to take ownership of critical tasks and projects in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.
• Ability to work on a team as well as independently; ability to lead as well as follow instructions.
• Excellent time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and shift priorities easily.
• Strong organizational skills and a high level of attention to detail; meticulous.
• Able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and work standing for 8 or more hours.
• Able to occasionally work in physically challenging conditions and wear appropriate protective gear.
• Fluent in Internet usage and in the use of MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; experience using Salesforce or a comparable database is a plus.
• Able and willing to work flexible hours; able to occasionally work long days and weekends if required.
• Must provide a valid driver's license upon hire and pass a motor vehicle history check.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in the development and implementation of new shelter programs (e.g., volunteer, foster, direct adoptions, daily care, and enrichment) strongly preferred.
• Experience working with animal victims of cruelty and neglect preferred.
• Fear Free - Shelter Program certification required or completed within 60 days of hire.

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on geographic location and experience.
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer matching.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Professional development opportunities and training programs.
• Employee assistance programs for mental health support.