Grooming Specialist, Education, Casework & Events

ASPCA•New York, NY

10d•$26 - $28•Onsite

About The Position

Every day across New York City, a simple act of care can strengthen the bond between people and the pets who depend on them. As a Grooming Specialist with ASPCA Community Engagement, you’ll bring practical support—and dignity—to neighbors facing barriers, helping pets stay healthy, comfortable, and at home where they belong. The ASPCA’s Community Engagement program works in New York City to assist pet owners by addressing systemic issues such as lack of access to resources, domestic violence, socioeconomic distress, and medical or mental health considerations. Access to grooming can be a challenge to pet owners in NYC who experience these underlying challenges. The Grooming Specialist will work as part of a team to deliver basic grooming to these pet owners who come to the ASPCA via relationships with key partners (e.g., human service organizations, animal welfare groups, NYPD). The Grooming Specialist will participate in field work including visiting client’s homes to provide in-home grooming and will also act as a case lead on non-grooming cases to coordinate services for clients, transport animals from veterinary hospitals to the ASPCA hospital as needed, and attend community events. This position will also provide grooming services at ASPCA events and a weekly mobile grooming event. The Grooming Specialist will also provide grooming at other ASPCA locations (Community Veterinary Centers) as well as helping internal departments with grooming needs. This position will be providing grooming services 3-4 days of the week across the five boroughs including the South Bronx, East New York (Brooklyn), the Upper East Side (Manhattan) and Long Island City (Queens) and will have one office-based day in Long Island City. The schedule for this position is Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00am – 5:00pm. Shifts are subject to change at the sole discretion of the ASPCA.

Requirements

Critical thinking skills are required, as this is a developing program with impact on the organization and field and will need direct feedback and strategy development to ensure its success.
Strong interpersonal skills
Ability to lift up to 40 lbs., stand for long periods and work outside in various conditions.
Strong team player, as well as ability to work independently.
Must provide a valid driver’s license upon hire and pass a motor vehicle history check demonstrating a safe driving history.
Computer literacy with particular proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
Civicore experience a plus.
Ability to exemplify ASPCA’s core values and behavioral competencies.
English (required)
At least 1 year’s grooming experience required
2 years’ experience in community services, community organizing, advocacy or related field required
Animal handling experience required
Case management experience preferred
Data collection experience preferred

Nice To Haves

Fluency in Spanish strongly preferred.
Case management experience preferred
Data collection experience preferred

Responsibilities

Serve as a case lead for Community Engagement grooming cases.
Conduct field visits to provide grooming in clients’ homes and develop plans to teach pet owners how to groom their pets.
Communicate with clients to gather historical information on their pets’ needs and develop plans that include ASPCA services and referrals to social service agencies when needed. This position will carry 3-4 cases at a time.
Perform grooming services at ASPCA locations and events.
Teach clients how to groom their pets by conducting hands-on demonstrations.
Educate clients on how to create action plans for ongoing grooming needs.
Emphasize the importance of ongoing grooming tasks and illustrate the challenges when it is not maintained to pet owners.
Participate in mobile grooming events 2-3 times per month with Community Engagement Coordinators.
Assist in the planning, outreach, scheduling, and follow-up paperwork for these events.
Teach clients how to use grooming kits and nail trimmers and emphasize the importance of consistent grooming for long-term health and wellbeing.
Collaborate with other ASPCA departments as requested to ensure access to grooming services for clients and ASPCA program goals.
Act as a case lead and provide case management from initiation to completion.
Communicate with clients to gather historical information on their pets needs and develop intervention plans that include ASPCA services and referrals to social service agencies when needed. This position will carry 8-10 cases at a time and may not include grooming services.
Conduct field visits and develop intervention plans for cases, including frequency of visits and action plans
Support Community Engagement transport team with transportation of animals from CE and NYPD cases to partners/locations across the five boroughs
Participate in large-scale NYPD cases that require the physical removal of animals. On occasion, assist with daily care 1-2 times a week for up to one month after the removal.
Deliver feedback and contribute to strategic planning of the development of grooming services.
Work collaboratively with Senior Manager and Community Engagement team to plan outreach/events for grooming services, including the weekly mobile grooming event.
Participate in and contribute to meetings with ASPCA departments to help lobby for the need for the integration of grooming services (Government Relations, Strategy & Research, etc).
Ensure accurate data collection for services rendered.
Manage grooming supply inventory.
Post ~3 times per month on WorkVivo to highlight the grooming program and to keep the organization engaged in its growth.
Contribute to department’s reports by capturing photos and writing highlights on special cases or relevant events.
Obtain necessary CE credits to stay up to date on grooming certification.

Benefits

Affordable health coverage, including medical, employer-paid dental and optional vision coverage.
Flexible time off that includes vacation time, paid personal time, sick time, bereavement time, paid parental leave, and 10 company paid holidays that allows you even more flexibility to observe the days that mean the most to you.
Competitive financial incentives and retirement savings, including a 401(k) plan with generous employer contributions — we match dollar-for-dollar up to 4% and provide an additional 4% contribution toward your future each year.
Robust professional development opportunities, including classes, on-the-job training, coaching and mentorship with industry-leading peers, internal mobility, opportunities to support in the field and so much more.

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