Manager, Adoptions & Transport

$70,000 - $75,000/Yr

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - Pawling, NY

Full-time - Manager

Pawling, NY

Personal and Laundry Services

About the position

Are you passionate about helping animals in need and eager to advance the field of animal welfare? Do you thrive in a dynamic, complex, highly collaborative environment? If so, the role of Manager, Adoptions & Transport at the ASPCA's new Recovery & Rehabilitation Center (R&R Center) in Pawling, NY might be right for you! The Manager, Adoptions & Transport is responsible for the effective and efficient placement of animals through direct adoptions and transfer. The person in this role introduces potential adopters to appropriate dogs, ensuring it is a safe and positive interaction for all involved, and works with internal partners to arrange and carry-out transport of adoptable dogs to adoption events and placement partners. The successful candidate is a true collaborator, working closely and consistently with colleagues in the R&R Center and across the ASPCA, as well as directly with adopters, to find healthy, happy placement for dogs as quickly as possible. Recovery & Rehabilitation Center Overview & Upcoming Launch The R&R Center in Pawling, NY, is a unique program dedicated to providing integrated sheltering, behavioral, and medical care for canine victims of cruelty. The R&R Center team works closely with ASPCA teams in New York City to help animals rescued in partnership with the NYPD. This position has a target start date of June 2, 2025.

Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day functions of the R&R Center's Placement & Transport Program, including internal transport between ASPCA facilities, transfer partner placement, and direct adoptions
• Work closely with NYC teams to ensure transport arrangements have been made for incoming animals and that all transports are safe and humane
• Collaborate with the veterinary team to plan timely transport to emergency and specialty veterinarians as needed
• Work with behavior, veterinary, and care teams to determine which placement avenues are most appropriate for each dog, arranging internal and external transfers as appropriate
• Proactively monitor placement pipeline, ensuring adequate resources to expedite placement
• Maintain open lines of communication with the Adoption Center in NYC, arranging transfer and/or exchange of animals based on the greatest potential for successful and expedient placement
• Maintain up to date knowledge of each dog in care and ready for placement
• Gather and review relevant medical, behavioral, and photo/video animal information and submit to Centralized Placement to facilitate partner placement
• Provide biographical information for public facing dog adoption profiles
• Ensure a non-judgmental, positive approach to direct adoption and in coaching accommodations and good choices with prospective adopters
• Work directly with adopters to ensure high quality placements, creating a positive experience for dogs and potential adopters, eliminating ineffective barriers to adoption
• Collaborate with veterinary, behavioral, and sheltering colleagues to develop a transition plan for each dog, minimizing post-adoption setbacks and pain points for placement partners and adopters
• Conduct post-adoption follow-up calls and/or emails and serve as the main point of contact for adopters in need of advice or assistance post-placement
• Serve as the primary point of contact for placement partners with questions about dogs available for transfer and dogs that have recently been transferred to their care
• Maintain handling skills and develop strong collaborative relationships with colleagues by participating in playgroup, behavior treatment, loading dogs for transport, veterinary exams, and humane euthanasia as needed and when appropriate
• Provide direct oversight of Coordinator, Adoptions and Coordinator, Transport
• Ensure team adheres to standard operating procedures, protocols, and regulatory requirements, and maintain accurate records of compliance activities
• Arrange tasks and resources effectively to optimize workflow and ensure efficiency
• Set clear, achievable team goals, inspiring and motivating team members to perform at their best
• Facilitate ample and open communication within and across teams
• Directly and immediately address conflict and concerns as they arise, ensuring difficult conversations are productive, respectful, and meaningful
• Monitor and evaluate employee performance, fostering growth by providing coaching, regular and timely feedback, and formal appraisals
• Work with R&R Center leadership to create, review, and update standard operating procedures and operational documents to align with all regulatory requirements
• Attend and meaningfully contribute to all relevant R&R Center and ASPCA meetings
• Accurately track and report time worked, time off, and work-related expenses
• Responsibly steward R&R Center assets

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED required, B.S. or B.A. preferred
• Minimum of 2 years of management experience
• Professional or volunteer experience with animal adoptions in a shelter setting is preferred
• 5 or more years driving experience preferred
• Experience in animal transportation or veterinary/animal shelter services preferred
• Fear Free Shelter Program certification (approximately 5 hours) required or completed within 60 days of hire
• Must provide a valid driver's license upon hire and pass a motor vehicle history check demonstrating a safe driving history
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 10% of the time
• Available to work a flexible schedule, including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Fluent in the use of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint; familiarity with shelter software systems or Salesforce a plus
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Able to regularly witness animals suffering medically and/or behaviorally
• Comfortable with humane euthanasia in theory and in practice
• Displays concern for the safety and well-being of self, animals and others, especially under stress
• Fosters collaboration by creating strong connections with colleagues at all levels and in all areas
• Builds strong work relationships based on trust, respect, and listening to understand
• Freely and generously shares knowledge, skills, and expertise with others
• Demonstrates genuine interest in the thoughts, ideas, and expertise of others
• Proactively problem-solves and takes appropriate initiative to implement solutions
• Flexible; can easily adapt to changes and help others do the same
• Resilient; bounces back from difficult and disappointing situations quickly
• Strong and adaptable people manager
• Artfully flexes management and coaching styles to best support diverse individuals
• Cultivates a climate in which diverse perspectives are solicited, encouraged, valued, and respected
• Ability to set a clear direction and inspire others to work towards shared goals
• Sets a high standard by leading with transparency, integrity, honesty and strong ethical principles
• Unafraid of hard conversations and approaches them openly, quickly, and kindly
• Views conflict as generative, using disagreement to drive innovation, improve communication, clarify and articulate values, and build stronger relationships
• Values training and education for self and team, ensuring ample access to learning opportunities
• Ability to work in a variety of environments and weather conditions, including indoor climate-controlled spaces where it may be noisy and outdoors where surfaces may be wet or uneven and extreme heat, cold, or precipitation is possible
• Ability to sit for extended periods while working at a desk or computer
• Ability to lift and carry animals (50 pounds unassisted, 100 pounds with assistance) and equipment, such as food bags, bedding, and cleaning supplies
• Comfort and ability to handle and restrain animals safely and humanely, particularly in stressful situations
• Ability to work in a physically demanding environment that requires standing, walking, bending, squatting, and/or kneeling for extended periods of time
• Work involves exposure to chemical and biological hazards such as medications, cleaning products, urine, feces, blood, and sharp objects
• Ability to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment, including but not limited to disposable coveralls, respirators or face masks, and booties

Benefits

• The target hiring range for this role is $70,000 - $75,000 annually.
• Compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time.