Manager, Care & Enrichment

ASPCA • Columbus, OH

6d • $56,000 - $60,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Manager, Care & Enrichment at the ASPCA’s Cruelty Recovery Center (CRC) in Columbus, OH is responsible for overseeing the daily care and enrichment of animals rescued in national cruelty cases and disaster responses. This role works collaboratively with veterinary, behavioral, and other ASPCA teams to ensure high-quality care. The Manager directly supervises Care and Enrichment Technicians and shares oversight of daily operations with fellow Managers. Responsibilities include providing daily care, performing low-stress handling, managing kennel spaces, monitoring animal health, ordering supplies, and potentially leading operations at temporary field shelters. The role emphasizes teamwork and a harmonious management approach to provide balanced care for animals.

Requirements

• Must provide a valid driver’s license upon hire and pass a motor vehicle history check demonstrating a safe driving history.
• Treats people and animals with care and respect; must be a compassionate caregiver for animals and have a genuine interest in leading others.
• Ability to work closely with behaviorally and medically compromised animals and feel comfortable working in an environment where humane euthanasia is performed on a regular basis.
• Advanced animal handling and restraint skills required.
• Supports fellow team leads; can serve as a member of a united management team.
• Excellent people-management skills.
• Maintains a positive attitude; must enjoy working directly with people; respects team members at all levels.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to interact with diverse personalities and groups.
• Meticulous organizational skills; pays close attention to detail.
• Works efficiently and calmly in a quick-paced changing environment and can motivate a team to do the same.
• Proactively problem-solves and takes appropriate initiative to implement solutions.
• Builds strong work relationships based on trust, respect, and listening to understand; cultivates a climate in which diverse perspectives are solicited, encouraged, valued, and respected.
• Freely and generously shares knowledge, skills, and expertise with others.
• Proficient administrative and computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work in a physically demanding environment that requires standing, walking, bending, squatting, and/or kneeling for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift and carry animals (50 pounds unassisted, 100 pounds with assistance) and equipment, such as food bags, bedding, and cleaning supplies.
• Ability to exemplify ASPCA’s core values and behavioral competencies.
• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of one year of experience leading a team, directly or indirectly required; people management experience strongly preferred.
• At least 2 years of professional experience working hands-on with animals required.
• Experience working in an animal shelter in a hands-on role required.
• IS 700, 800 and ICS100 and 200 preferred; must be completed within 90 days of hire.
• Low Stress Handling® University Silver-Level certification is required within six months of hire.
• Language: English (Required).
• High School Diploma, GED, or Equivalent Experience (Required).

Nice To Haves

• People management experience strongly preferred.
• IS 700, 800 and ICS100 and 200 preferred; must be completed within 90 days of hire.
• Low Stress Handling® University Silver-Level certification is required within six months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Direct the Care and Enrichment team to monitor and maintain the medical and behavioral health of shelter animals.
• Ensure proper daily care, nutrition, sanitation, and infectious disease-prevention protocols are followed.
• Implement and maintain feline and canine enrichment programs, ensuring staff are trained and compliant.
• Provide a safe and compassionate environment for animals, staff, and volunteers using low-stress handling techniques.
• Hold team briefings to provide updates, assess task progress, and identify support needs.
• Collaborate with behavior and veterinary teams to ensure open communication and excellent animal care.
• Perform daily rounds to ensure animals’ needs are met and work with Medical and Behavior Leads to identify and solve concerns.
• Train and integrate volunteers into daily care, providing guidance and expressing gratitude.
• Orchestrate the export of released animals to partner organizations and foster homes.
• Ensure shelter supply needs are met at the CRC and in the field, track expenses, and order supplies.
• Collaborate with other ASPCA departments to prioritize operational alignment.
• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding criminal cases.
• Assist the Medical team with handling animals for humane euthanasia and aftercare.
• Assist with planning and animal care enrichment for temporary sheltering operations in the field.
• Serve in a leadership role during rotations into temporary shelters, ensuring consistent operations and communication.
• Schedule CRC team members, other ASPCA staff, and Responders for emergency/temporary shelters.
• Order and ship necessary supplies for shelters and staff, collaborating with logistics teams.
• Work with local communities affected by disasters to return rescued animals and find placement for unclaimed animals.
• Manage and supervise Care and Enrichment Technicians (CETs) and CET Leads, including hiring and onboarding.
• Develop and implement annual professional development plans for direct reports.
• Coach CET leads to develop their leadership skills.
• Source, hire, and onboard local contingent workers as needed.
• Oversee staff, volunteers, and contingent workers in unique locations and situations.
• Clearly explain the reasoning behind protocols to ensure buy-in and consistent use.
• Oversee the Care & Enrichment team’s daily cleaning, handling, enrichment, monitoring, and documentation.
• Provide regular trainings to keep the team updated on advances in the field and proficient in protocols.
• Assist in daily care and monitor adherence to protocols.
• Provide timely, kind coaching for performance deficiencies.
• Address conflict and concerns directly and immediately.
• Practice delegation for growth, providing stretch opportunities to direct reports.
• Evaluate staffing levels and training needs, providing feedback to the Senior Manager.
• Recognize team members’ accomplishments and provide healthy work-related engagement opportunities.
• Review and update Standard Operating Procedures for CRC and temporary shelters.
• Provide continual feedback to improve processes and minimize barriers to efficient work and high-quality animal care.
• Assess the efficacy of CRC animal enrichment, innovating and encouraging the team.
• Research and develop best practices in sheltering, enrichment, and animal care/handling.
• Attend workshops for animal welfare professionals and share learning with the team.
• Attend and contribute to relevant CRC and ASPCA meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Senior Manager.

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.
• 401(k) plan with generous employer contributions — match dollar-for-dollar up to 4% and provide an additional 4% contribution.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: High school or GED