Director, Shelter Medicine Clinical Training

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals • New York, NY

7d • 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 within the ASPCA and to external partners and stakeholders. SMS collaborates with shelters, academic programs, professional organizations, and ASPCA teams to advance shelter medicine and community animal health, develop resources, and train shelter medicine residents and other veterinary professionals.

Based in New York City, the Director provides clinical service and teaching while overseeing residents’ clinical work across NYC-based ASPCA programs and the Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC). The role includes direct management and clinical supervision of Julie Morris Shelter Medicine Residents, support for their training and credentialing, and consultation with shelters and community animal health providers. The Director also contributes to shelter medicine resources, training, research and publication support, and strategic work with veterinary and animal welfare organizations. The role reports to the Senior Director of Shelter Medicine Training.

The position requires commuting between NYC-based programs and travel of 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% of the time. Hours are primarily Monday through Friday, with occasional weekend hours for travel, remote consultation, or resident support.

Requirements

• Current veterinary license in New York State, 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 range of medical and surgical conditions.
• Sound clinical judgment, critical-thinking and multitasking skills, and ability to adjust focus and priorities to 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 approach to complex challenges.
• Ability to influence and lead teams, including without formal authority, demonstrating flexibility, resilience, and commitment.
• Skillful, diplomatic communication and the confidence and composure to communicate effectively with staff and management at different levels.
• Strong organizational, analytical, writing, and presentation skills.
• Ability to work across program teams and locations and in 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 with or close collaboration with a variety of sheltering organizations on individual-animal and population-level concerns.
• English proficiency.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Implement a robust shelter medicine residency training program with the Residency Program Director and Residency Advisor, and support residents in meeting ABVP Shelter Medicine Practice credentialing requirements.
• Directly and indirectly supervise resident clinical training in NYC-based programs, including providing or arranging appropriate clinical supervision at all NYC locations.
• Supervise or assist residents with procedures, surgery, and comprehensive oral health assessments and treatment when appropriate.
• Coordinate specialty-level learning experiences with SMS colleagues, ASPCA departments, and external programs in shelter medicine and community animal health settings.
• Collaborate 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.
• Work with programs to establish appropriate resident caseloads and support residents as they assume primary responsibility for medical and surgical cases.
• Help ensure timely veterinary-service scheduling and efficient, humane animal flow from intake through outcome.
• Participate in appropriate and 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, and adhere to OSHA protocols.
• Support residents’ shelter consultations and development of educational materials, including presentations, reports, and written resources.
• Attend and evaluate resident presentations when requested by the Resident Advisor.
• Support residents’ research and publications, including project identification, data collection, and project management.
• Train and support interns, externs, veterinary students, and other clinical trainees alongside residents.
• Rotate on-call coverage to support residents and the SMS consultation service.
• Manage residents by setting clear expectations and goals, providing regular feedback and after-action conversations, coaching clinical and technical proficiency and communication, and completing annual performance evaluations and goal setting.
• Handle employee-relations issues confidentially and with care, using active listening and supporting problem-solving.
• Promote positive, people-centric management consistent with ASPCA and team values; support change management and identify improvements to people practices, 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 with SMS colleagues, residents, and shelter medicine practitioners; evaluate programs and protocols and prepare reports.
• 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 Practice board certification.

Benefits

• Affordable medical coverage, employer-paid dental coverage, 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, 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