Vice President, Forensic Sciences

ASPCA

20d•$186,000 - $265,000•Remote

About The Position

Summary: The Vice President (VP), Forensic Sciences, reporting to the Vice President, Cruelty Response, leads the Forensic Sciences department, which consists of both the New York City and Gainesville, Florida-based teams. The department currently includes eight forensic veterinarians, one licensed veterinary technician, two forensic analysts (one specializing in osteology), two forensic sciences coordinators, and one forensics science manager. Two of the forensic veterinarians serve as Senior Director, Veterinary Forensic Sciences (Gainesville) and Supervisor, Forensic Sciences (NYC), both of whom report directly to the VP. The VP partners with the Criminal Practice & Investigations (CPI) and National Field Response (NFR) departments to successfully operationalize criminal cases and meet the organization’s annual case response goals. In collaboration with CPI, NFR, and the other teams critical to the success of cruelty response work (including Behavior Sciences, Relocation, Placement, and Shelter & Rehabilitation teams), the VP helps to ensure the evidentiary strength of these cases; the efficient and effective use of departmental and organizational resources; the welfare of animal victims; and that local stakeholders gain boots-on-the ground experience that will better empower them to respond to animal cruelty and animal fighting in their communities. In carrying out this work, the VP ensures that forensic assistance is provided to law enforcement agencies for the successful investigation and prosecution of animal cruelty and animal fighting cases that the ASPCA deploys on, whether that forensic work is carried out directly by the department’s forensic veterinarians and analysts, or through their supervision and/or guidance of other ASPCA veterinarians, professional responders, and local veterinarians. In addition, the VP ensures forensic assistance is provided to law enforcement on strategic, non-ASPCA animal-related cases handled by staff at the ASPCA Veterinary Forensic Science Center (AVFSC) in Gainesville. In support of the ASPCA’s partnership with the NYPD, the VP oversees the work of the New York City-based veterinary forensics team, which provides forensic assistance to the NYPD and NYC District Attorney’s Offices for the successful investigation and prosecution of animal-related cases. For both national and NYPD animal cruelty and animal fighting cases, the VP oversees all aspects of the department’s forensics work, including forensic examinations, report-writing, analysis of other animal-related evidence, and testimony for hearings and trials, ensuring close collaboration with CPI attorneys. The VP guides the teaching, extern- and internship programs in NYC and Gainesville, as well as external training aimed at veterinary practitioners nationwide, to ensure this work achieves the greatest impact for the field and is aligned with organizational goals and priorities. In consultation with the VP, Cruelty Response, and in conjunction with the Strategy & Research team, the VP also oversees the department’s research strategies. The VP serves as an organizational expert and spokesperson on forensic science matters and/or supports staff in these functions; oversees the team’s internal and external consulting; and works with Communications teams to promote and advance the role of forensics in animal cruelty and animal fighting investigations.

Requirements

DVM or VMD degree, and certification or other advanced qualification in veterinary pathology, preferred but not required; criminal law, law enforcement, and/or other criminal justice backgrounds considered
Minimum of 8 years of combined relevant experience (veterinary medicine, veterinary pathology, criminal law, law enforcement and/or other criminal justice)
Minimum of 8 years of management experience
Familiarity with evidentiary issues related to the prosecution of animal cruelty and fighting cases
Familiarity with veterinary issues associated with common forms of animal cruelty, including neglect, overt acts of cruelty, non-accidental injuries, and bloodsports
Experience in working cooperatively with law enforcement and prosecutor’s officers
Experience in evidence documentation, handling, preservation, and analysis
Proven ability to think strategically and lead with vision
Team player with proven ability to work collaboratively and build consensus
Superior management, supervisory, and mentoring skills
Demonstrated commitment to professional growth and development (both self and others)
Exceptional interpersonal skills
Strong written and oral communication skills
Highly organized and detail-oriented
Ability to manage remote staff
Demonstrated ability to excel in fast-paced and high-stress situations
Demonstrated commitment to animal welfare issues
Strong public speaking skills
Flexibility and adaptability to meet the needs of a dynamic and evolving team
Computer proficiency and working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat Pro
Experience using Salesforce or other similar medical record/documentation systems, or a demonstrated willingness to learn.

Responsibilities

Leads the integration of the Forensic Sciences department into the Cruelty Response vertical.
Aligns and integrates the NYC and Gainesville- based teams into a cohesive Forensic Sciences department.
With guidance from the SVP, Legal Advocacy & Cruelty Response, and the VP, Cruelty Response, sets and implements a strategic vision for the Forensic Sciences department that is aligned with and furthers the ASPCA’s organizational priorities and long-term goals.
With guidance from the SVP, Legal Advocacy & Cruelty Response, and the VP, Cruelty Response, ensures the department contributes to a more systems-level approach to national animal cruelty and animal fighting cases in order to effect more sustainable and longer-term improvements to the ability of communities to respond to cruelty and fighting.
Works in partnership with other departments and teams engaged in cruelty response work to ensure effective and efficient use of ASPCA resources and achievement of annual case response goals.
In consultation with the VP, Cruelty Response, drafts annual department plans that are developed with an enterprise-level view and are aligned with organizational policies, positions, and long-term goals; including developing meaningful metrics (in consultation with the Project Learning & Impact Measurement team as appropriate) that are regularly monitored for progress.
Collaborates with the Criminal Practice & Investigations (CPI) department to develop and implement processes and protocols that align national and NYC case work as appropriate, effectively support criminal cases, and efficiently use organizational resources.
Oversees development and delivery of training programs and materials (in-person and online) that aim at bringing baseline forensic science knowledge and skill to internal ASPCA veterinarians as needed, as well as to a wide audience of practicing veterinarians nationwide; including courses taught through Florida International University, extern- and internship programs, conference presentations, and law enforcement training done in conjunction with other internal subject matter experts.
Continuously elevates the quality and delivery of educational and training content through collaboration with the Learning & Development team.
In consultation with the VP, Cruelty Response, and the Strategy & Research team, oversees the development and implementation of strategic research focused on the application of forensic sciences to prevent and effectively respond to animal cruelty and animal fighting.
Ensures veterinary forensic expertise and internal consulting are provided to other ASPCA departments as needed.
Works with the Development and Communications teams to promote the ASPCA’s cruelty response work and the department’s role in advancing veterinary forensics.
Develops and fosters in the department an understanding of the multidisciplinary work critical to achieving organizational goals, as well as the synergy needed to make the greatest impact for the ASPCA’s animal beneficiaries.
Proactively communicates and provides direction to staff on key organizational developments that will empower them to carry out their duties in alignment with organizational goals and priorities.
Inspires, motivates, and leads staff in the execution of their respective functions.
Ensures team members communicate and collaborate effectively with each other and with other departments and stakeholders in carrying out their work.
Ensures department managers are equipped and empowered to lead and achieve objectives.
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Supports department managers in supervising the day-to-day work of their teams, including deployments and crime scene processing, forensic examinations, report writing, testimony at hearing and trials; and ensuring this work is based on current accepted and standardized scientific procedures and complies with applicable legal requirements (as delineated by the CPI department).
Ensures accurate and timely maintenance of all forensic and other case-related records, as well as relevant program statistics, to effectively measure performance, share outcomes, and identify opportunities for improved impact and efficiency.
Completes timely performance evaluations, provides ongoing feedback, participates in goal setting, monitors progress, sets clear expectations, and supports ongoing professional development of direct reports; supports department managers in doing the same.
Identify staff skill sets and competencies needed to achieve departmental and organizational goals and work with department managers to ensure those competencies are developed or acquired.