Director, Shelter Medicine Clinical Training

ASPCA • New York, NY

8d • $168,000 - $183,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, Shelter Medicine Clinical Training works on the ASPCA’s Shelter Medicine Services (SMS) team, which provides shelter medicine expertise internally and to external partners and stakeholders. The Director provides clinical service and teaching while overseeing resident clinical work across several NYC-based ASPCA programs and the Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC). The role serves as direct manager and clinical supervisor for the NYC-based Julie Morris Shelter Medicine Residents, supporting their training and progress toward ABVP Shelter Medicine Practice credentialing requirements.

The Director collaborates with ASPCA and ACC veterinary teams, the Residency Program Director and Residency Advisor, SMS colleagues, shelters, and community animal health providers. The role includes clinical supervision, resident mentoring and evaluation, shelter consultations, resource development, and support for research and training. The Director also contributes to improving shelter operations and access to veterinary care, and to advancing shelter medicine through engagement with veterinary and animal welfare organizations.

The position is based in New York City and requires commuting between NYC-based programs and travel up to 15% as needed. When not supervising resident clinical training or traveling, the Director may work remotely from a home office up to 20%. Hours are primarily Monday through Friday, with occasional weekend hours for travel, remote consultation, or resident support. The expected annual hiring range is $175,000–$183,000 for veterinarians with Shelter Medicine Board Certification and $168,000–$176,000 for veterinarians without it.

Requirements

• Current New York State veterinary license, or ability to obtain NYS licensure within 60 days of employment.
• Strong knowledge and experience in shelter medicine practice and companion animal population health.
• Strong clinical skills, including efficient diagnosis and treatment of cats and dogs with a variety of medical and surgical conditions.
• Sound clinical judgment, critical-thinking, and multitasking skills, with ability to adjust focus and priorities based on patient and program needs.
• Excellent low-stress animal-handling skills.
• Leadership ability to inspire, guide, and support individuals working toward shared goals.
• Creative, solution-minded problem-solving and a positive, proactive attitude when facing complex challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and lead teams, including without formal authority, with flexibility, resiliency, and commitment.
• Diplomatic communication skills and the confidence and composure to communicate effectively with staff and management at various levels.
• Strong organizational, analytical, writing, and presentation skills.
• Ability to work across program teams and locations and from a home office with minimal supervision.
• Ability to exemplify ASPCA core values and behavioral competencies.
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or equivalent degree from an accredited veterinary college.
• At least five years of veterinary experience.
• At least three years of shelter medicine experience, including direct work in or close collaboration with varied sheltering organizations on individual-animal and population-level concerns.
• English language proficiency.

Nice To Haves

• Board certification in Shelter Medicine Practice, or active pursuit with demonstrable progress toward certification.
• Experience training veterinarians or veterinary students.

Responsibilities

• Implement a robust shelter medicine residency training program in partnership with the Residency Program Director and Residency Advisor, and support residents in completing ABVP Shelter Medicine Practice credentialing requirements.
• Directly and indirectly supervise residents’ clinical training in NYC-based programs, including supervision or assistance with procedures, surgery, and comprehensive oral health assessment and treatment, and ensure appropriate clinical supervision at NYC locations.
• Collaborate with SMS members to provide specialty-level learning experiences in shelter medicine and community animal health settings.
• Work with ASPCA and ACC NYC veterinary teams to train residents to deliver high-quality, practical, compassionate, and cost-efficient veterinary care consistent with shelter medicine and access-to-care principles.
• Help identify appropriate resident caseloads and support residents as they assume primary responsibility for medical and surgical cases.
• Work with staff to ensure timely veterinary-service scheduling and efficient, humane animal flow from intake through outcome.
• Participate in timely treatment and outcome decisions that account for animals’ physical, medical, social, and behavioral needs.
• Participate in daily population rounds and other applicable program meetings.
• Follow Occupational Safety and Health Administration protocols.
• Support residents with shelter consultations and educational materials, including presentations, reports, and written resources.
• Attend and evaluate resident presentations when requested by the Resident Advisor.
• Support resident research and publication through project identification, data collection, and project management.
• Train and support residents in their work with interns, externs, and veterinary students.
• Rotate on-call coverage to support residents and the SMS consultation service.
• Create a respectful, welcoming environment and strong learning culture through clear expectations, goal setting, feedback, and after-action conversations.
• Coach and evaluate residents’ knowledge, clinical and technical proficiency, communication skills, and overall progress.
• Provide regular one-to-one and quarterly feedback sessions, and complete annual performance evaluations and goal setting.
• Handle employee-relations issues confidentially and with care, listening to concerns and supporting problem-solving and viable solutions.
• Use people-centric management approaches consistent with team and organizational core values.
• Support change management and help identify improvements to people, policies, and medical protocols.
• Maintain proactive communication with the Residency Program Director and Residency Advisor about critical situations or issues.
• Provide remote and on-site shelter consultations, including program and protocol evaluation and report writing.
• Develop and deliver resources on shelter medicine, community animal health, and animal welfare.
• Stay current with shelter medicine and community animal health practices and support their adaptation and implementation in shelter and community settings.
• Advance shelter medicine through strategic engagement with regional or national veterinary medical and animal welfare organizations.
• Complete or maintain ABVP Shelter Medicine Board Specialty certification.

Benefits

• Affordable health coverage, including medical, employer-paid dental, and optional vision coverage.
• Flexible time off including vacation, paid personal time, sick time, bereavement time, paid parental leave, and 10 company-paid holidays.
• 401(k) plan with dollar-for-dollar employer matching up to 4%, plus an additional 4% employer contribution.
• Professional development opportunities, including classes, on-the-job training, coaching and mentorship, internal mobility, and opportunities to support work in the field.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree