Senior Director, Veterinary Services

Senior Director, Veterinary Services

Please make sure to attach your resume to complete your application.

Summary:

Are you a dedicated shelter veterinarian passionate about delivering high-quality medical care to animals in need? Are you passionate about collaborating with colleagues to bring multiple areas of animal sheltering expertise together and optimize the overall well-being of animals? Do you thrive in a dynamic and complex environment, where teammates work together to continually advance our field? If so, the role of Senior Director, Veterinary Services (Senior Director) at the ASPCAs Cruelty Recovery Center (CRC) might be right for you!

The Senior Director will be based at the ASPCA Cruelty Recover Center (CRC), located in Columbus, OH, and will regularly travel across the United States to lead and participate in temporary shelter operations. The CRC team works closely with the ASPCAs National Field Response (NFR) team, Veterinary Forensics, Legal Advocacy & Investigations (LAI), the Behavioral Sciences Team (BST), and the Shelter Medicine Services (SMS) team to support agencies in effectively responding to cruelty and to assist communities in the wake of natural disasters. The CRCs dedicated team of sheltering, veterinary and animal behavior staff work together to ensure well-coordinated operations and high-quality, integrated care for animal victims of neglect, abuse and natural disasters. The Senior Director will partner with a team of sheltering, behavior, forensics, legal and medical personnel to ensure high quality care and timely outcomes for all animals.

As Medical Branch lead, the Senior Director will provide leadership for all veterinary functions and ensure consistency and continuity of care for animals housed at the CRC as well as in field and emergency shelters. They will conduct hands-on work themselves, as well as provide oversight, mentorship, training, and support for other team members. Care will align with existing ASPCA policies and protocols. The Senior Director will also develop additional new protocols, working closely with the Shelter Medicine Services (SMS) team. They will also support the Senior Director of Forensic Sciences, providing examinations, treatment, follow-up care, and meticulous documentation to be used as evidence in criminal cases.

This position requires a leader with exceptional skill as a clinician, a people manager, and a team player. To succeed in this role, the Senior Director must have a solid understanding of shelter medicine principles, excellent clinical skills, and sound medical judgement to ensure that animals often significant physical and behavioral needs are met on both individual patient and population levels. Success will also hinge on the ability to collaborate well with the Operations and Behavior branches at the CRC, embracing the power of teamwork. Ideal candidates will have shelter medicine expertise, experience working with legal cases and disaster response, and superior interpersonal skills, including experience leading teams of veterinary professionals, and working alongside equals in other areas of expertise.

This position is eligible for a signing bonus.

Responsibilities:

Leadership of medical operations at the Cruelty Recovery Center and in emergency shelters (60%)

• Oversee daily medical care of animals housed in the CRC, emergency sheltering operations, and/or foster care, utilizing shelter medicine guidelines, principles and best practices to ensure high quality and humane animal care, and to facilitate the most efficient pathways to placement or other outcomes.
• Coordinate with other teams, including but not limited to Behavior Sciences, Shelter Medicine Services, Legal Advocacy and Investigations, and Forensics, to ensure that the overall well-being of each animal is prioritized, that information is shared in a timely fashion with relevant stakeholders, and that decision-making regarding animal care and treatment is informed by all relevant considerations (i.e., medical, behavioral, and legal status).
• Direct patient care provided by staff and responders; when necessary, utilize per diem and/or responder veterinarians and consultations with outside veterinary specialists to ensure appropriate care is provided.
• Teach and mentor medical and animal care personnel on relevant SOPs and practices.
• Ensure that CRC medical team members participate in daily rounds for all animals in the CRC and emergency sheltering operations.
• Ensure consistency and continuity of care provided by staff, per diem, and responder veterinarians and support team members.
• Ensure that in-house and foster animals receive medical exams upon admission and are provided with on-going care as appropriate; ensure veterinary care provided is aligned with, and contributes to, the efficient and humane flow of animals from intake through outcome.
• Develop processes that require, monitor and support the complete and timely documentation of animal conditions in accordance medical record-keeping standards and requirements.
• Collaborate with Shelter Medicine Services to develop and implement efficient and effective protocols for high-quality, practical, and cost-efficient veterinary care in accordance with shelter medicine principles and best practices.
• Assist with planning for and selection of case responses.
• Maintain regular communication with relevant staff regarding any hospitalized animals and those transitioning to/from the CRC and/or emergency sheltering locations.
• Inform and advise relevant internal stakeholders of medical conditions of animals cared for at or through the CRC, including outbreaks of infectious disease, and recommendations for management.
• Produce administrative reports and communicate progress updates and animal status as needed.
• Maintain DEA licensure and oversee use of controlled substances for CRC operations.
• Stay abreast of shelter medicine practices and trends, in order to employ these at the CRC and/or emergency sheltering locations when applicable; work with the animal care and behavior managers to implement appropriate protocols on topics that relate to animal health and welfare, including but not limited to sanitation, population management, animal housing and segregation, and nutrition.
• Other duties as assigned by the VP or SVP.

Medical Care and Clinical Case Management (20%)

• Provide timely, high quality veterinary care to dogs, cats, and other species as needed in accordance with ASPCA medical protocols and shelter medicine principles and best practices.
• Provide skilled and efficient diagnosis and treatment of patients with timely recognition of, and planning for, medical conditions requiring care through outside veterinary partners.
• Work on the floor to help out, answer questions, and ensure deep understanding of and compliance with CRC operations.
• Conduct daily medical rounds of all animals in the shelter each day, and regularly participate in shelter daily rounds; review current treatment schedules, medical concern boards, and rechecks to ensure timely delivery of care and open communication.
• Participate in pathway planning to ensure appropriate and timely disposition decisions that take into account animals physical, medical, social and behavioral needs collectively.
• Perform humane euthanasia following disposition decisions and/or in event of urgent medical need.
• Complete certificates of veterinary inspection, as appropriate, for transfer of animals between facilities and/or placement of animals released from care.
• Advise on appropriate use of quarantine and isolation spaces including sanitation protocols, appropriate use of PPE, and traffic flow patternsto manage herd health effectively.

• Participate in crime scene investigations.
• Assist in the collection of evidence and documentation of examinations of live and deceased victims of animal cruelty, including but not limited to the performance of clinical forensic exams and gross necropsies, completion of reports for law enforcement, and testifying as an expert witness, as needed.
• Utilize appropriate chain of custody, evidence transfer and disposition procedures for forensic evidence.
• Obtain relevant continuing education as required by the ASPCA and the state licensing board.
• Adhere to all protocols put forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

People Management (20%)

• Model a standard of continual commitment to improvement in all aspects of animal care and handling.
• Maintain proactive communication with the CRC Vice President and the Vice President, Shelter Medicine Services on critical situations or issues.
• Serve as a champion in times of change management and proactively assist in identifying ways to improve people, policies, and medical protocols.
• Supervise medical staff, holding regular one-on-one and team meetings to gather ideas and information, provide coaching, and share updates.
• Consistently utilize ASPCA developmental tools and conduct yearly performance reviews of direct reports to measure progress.
• Supervise and support staff, including but not limited to veterinarians, licensed veterinarian technicians, and veterinary assistants; define expectations and manage staff to achieve these expectations.
• Lead the recruitment, selection, hiring and onboarding process for new CRC medical staff; develop high potential employees.
• Recommend internal and external training and professional development opportunities as needed for direct reports in identified area(s).
• Espouse positive, people-centric management approaches that are in line with team and organizational core values.
• Handle employee-relations issues with confidentiality and care; use active listening to understand employee concerns, encouraging and supporting employees to problem solve and create viable solutions.
• Respond to concerns from direct reports and selected administrative staff, addressing them promptly and accordingly.

Exemplifies the ASPCAs Core Values:

• Has Commitment and dedication to improving the lives of animals
• Demonstrates Ownership and feels responsible for outcomes
• Believes in Team that we are stronger together
• Seeks to Elevate others and reimagine what is possible
• Focuses on Impact, specifically making change for animals

Education and Experience:

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or equivalent degree from an accredited veterinary college
• Licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the state of Ohio; highly competitive candidates eligible for but not currently licensed in Ohio will be considered
• Residency training and/or board certification in shelter medicine strongly preferred
• Minimum 5 years of veterinary experience
• Minimum 3 years of shelter medicine experience, including working directly in or closely with a variety of sheltering organizations on both individual animal and population level concerns
• Experience working with legal cases and disaster response preferred
• Minimum 2 years of management experience, including at least 1 year managing veterinary staff
• Low Stress Handling University Silver-Level certification is required within six months of hire
• USDA accredited or obtained within 6 months of employment

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Deep veterinary medical knowledge, including a strong foundation in shelter medicine principles and best practices
• Must have excellent clinical skills, including efficient diagnosis and treatment of cats and dogs for a variety of medical conditions
• Must have excellent low-stress animal handing and restraint skills
• Sound clinical judgement and resiliency to make end-of-life decisions for patients and to coach and support staff and volunteers regarding those decisions; readily able to work closely with animals who are medically and/or behaviorally compromised
• Proven history of building and maintaining positive and productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Displays care and concern for the safety and well-being of self, animals and others, especially during stressful situations
• Possess critical thinking and multi-tasking skills; able to quickly and calmly adjust focus and shift priorities based on patient and department needs
• Strong organizational skills and a high level of attention to detail; organized and willing to take ownership of project-critical tasks in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to prioritize multiple projects and be responsive to shifting priorities

• Excellent ability to teach and coach; able to introduce and implement new procedures and protocols effectively

• Ability to work on a team as well as independently; ability to lead as well as follow instructions
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to communicate effectively, with sensitivity and professionalism, with all levels of staff
• Basic computer skills, including Excel, Microsoft Office, and email; familiarity with Shelter Manager or other shelter software systems a plus
• Able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds
• Able to work standing for 8 or more hours and bend, crouch, kneel and move freely to perform responsibilities that include handling potentially dangerous animals in stressful conditions
• Able to occasionally work in physically challenging conditions and able to wear appropriate protective gear, including a protective mask; job responsibilities may entail exposure to chemical and biological hazards, such as feces and blood, exposure to sharp objects, working in noisy environments and working in areas with uneven, wet and slippery surfaces
• Able and willing to work flexible hours, long days, and weekends, as required; available to be on-call for last minute deployments
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 25% of the time as needed

Compensation and Benefits:

Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, training, experience, location, business needs, internal equity, market demands or budgeted amount for the role. The target hiring range is for new hire offers only, and staff compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. The expected hiring salary range for this role is set forth below and may be modified in the future.

• The target hiring range for this role is $164,000-$174,000
• This position is eligible for a signing bonus.

For more information on our benefits offerings, visit our website.

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Our EEO Policy:

The ASPCA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the ASPCAs standard application process, which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on the ASPCA. Please inform the ASPCAs People Team if you need an accommodation in order to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.

Individuals seeking employment are considered without regards to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.

ASPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V).

Please dont forget to attach your resume to complete your application.

About Us:
The ASPCA was founded in 1866 on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment by humans and must be protected under the law. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States.

The ASPCA is headquartered in New York City, where we maintain a full-service animal hospital, spay/neuter clinic, mobile spay/neuter and primary pet care clinics, a rehabilitation center for canine victims of cruelty, kitten nursery, adoption center, and two community veterinary centers.

The ASPCA also operates programs and services that extend nationwide. We assist animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources.

At the ASPCA, we are committed to fostering a collaborative and compassionate culture and we welcome all voices to contribute to our lifesaving mission. Our staff represent a vast array of backgrounds and diversity dimensions, bringing with them valuable experiences and perspectives. They join the ASPCA to learn, grow, and continually do their best work on behalf of animals. We are inspired by our staff, partners, and the communities we support across the country who work to improve animal lives. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion at the ASPCA because it elevates our organizational culture, aligns with our Core Values, and enables us to move further and faster toward the ASPCAs vision that all animals live good lives; valued by society, protected by its laws, and free from cruelty, pain and suffering.