Summary:

The Senior Director of Shelter Medicine Training (Senior Director, SMT) works within the Shelter Medicine Services (SMS) team, which provides shelter medicine expertise within the ASPCA and externally to veterinarians, shelters & rescues, and other stakeholders. The Senior Director, SMT oversees and engages in the training and supervision of shelter medicine residents, develops resources on shelter medicine topics, collaborates across programs to support the integration of shelter medicine principles, and serves in strategic roles in veterinary and animal welfare associations to promote positive welfare for animals and communities. As direct supervisor of the Director of Clinical training, who directly supervises the residents, the Senior Director, SMT engages across ASPCA and external program partners to provide a residency program with comprehensive shelter medicine practice experience encompassing direct clinical care and population level care to animals in shelters and community clinics as well as completing a clinical research project. The Senior Director, SMT also engages in training and mentorship activities with shelter and community clinic personnel, veterinary professionals, and students to advance the field of shelter medicine and the practice of community animal health.

Who We Are

The SMS team improves the health and welfare of animals in shelters and communities by strategically applying expertise both internally at the ASPCA and externally with key stakeholders. SMS is primarily comprised of veterinarians ABVP board-certified in Shelter Medicine Practice and is the home department of the Julie Morris Shelter Medicine Residency, which is based in New York City. Most team members are remote with significant travel to ASPCA programs, external sheltering organizations, and training events at conferences and veterinary schools.

SMS provides mentorship and training to shelter and community medicine veterinarians through the ASPCA’s Practitioner Pathway Mentorship and Practitioner Pathway Community programs. The team also supports the animal welfare field through development of educational resources, direct consultation, training, and applied research. Members of SMS each have assigned projects and areas of emphasis but collectively subscribe to a workplace culture of life-long learning, relentless collaboration, and a willingness to dive into work that needs to be done.

What You’ll Do

The Senior Director, SMT reports to the Vice President, Shelter Medicine Services and Veterinary Training Programs (VP), who also serves as the Residency Program Director. The Senior Director, SMT has one direct report.  The Senior Director, SMT collaborates with the VP, the Director of Shelter Medicine Clinical Training, ASPCA programs, and external partners to provide a robust training program for shelter medicine residents; the Senior Director, SMT will be expected to assume Resident Advisor responsibilities in alignment with ABVP Shelter Medicine Residency requirements. The Senior Director, SMT provides training through direct care in shelter medicine clinical practice at both individual and population levels, demonstrating strong clinical skills, clinical confidence, intellectual curiosity, and resilience. They engage across NYC-based ASPCA programs to support the integration of key shelter medicine principles; support sheltering organizations through consultation, training, and the development of resources on shelter medicine topics; and participate in trainees’ clinical work as well as their consultative work with shelters, clinics, and veterinarians. They play an important role in the continued growth of shelter medicine as a discipline by serving in strategic positions in veterinary medical and animal welfare associations.

To succeed in this role, the Senior Director, SMT must have both breadth and depth of shelter medicine clinical expertise and be board-certified in Shelter Medicine Practice or actively working towards board certification (within 2 years).  They must have outstanding interpersonal, communication, collaboration, and teaching skills. Success also hinges on their ability to identify and leverage a breadth and depth of past experience to provide a high-quality and collaborative, nuanced approach to implementation of individual and population health principles. Deep relationship building across teams is essential for establishing clinical working relationships and understanding of the work.

Where and When You’ll Work

This position requires regular (35-50%) commuting to and between ASPCA NYC locations, Animal Care Centers of NYC, and other sites in the city where residents regularly train. Therefore this position requires living within reasonable commuting distances to New York City locations. Travel for meetings and consultative work (~15%) outside of the New York City area is also required.  Remote work in home office balances on-site clinical time.

Hours are generally Monday through Friday but can vary dependent on program needs and travel. Time includes rotating availability for calls/consultations from residents over weekends and holidays when they are assigned to a clinical service.

What You’ll Get

Compensation

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 $198,000 - $210,000 annually

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

Benefits

At the ASPCA, you don’t have to choose between your passion and making a living. Our comprehensive benefits package helps ensure you can live a rewarding life at work and at home. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• 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.

Responsibilities:

Responsibility buckets are listed in general order of importance, and include, but are not limited to:

Provide Shelter Medicine Mentorship and Training

In close partnership with the VP and the Director of Clinical Training, maintain a robust residency training program for ASPCA Shelter Medicine Residents

• Stay abreast of all ABVP Shelter Medicine Practice Residency requirements and engage in oversight and scheduling of resident experiences, ensuring they make continual progress

• Ensure appropriate supervision and clinical mentorship of residents for all activities both internally at the ASPCA and in partnership with external training partners

• Provide regular positive and developmental feedback to support continual improvement in the residents’ knowledge, clinical and technical proficiency, communication skills, and overall progress

• Support resident research projects and manuscript preparation in collaboration with the VP and the ASPCA Research team

Model a standard of continual commitment to improvement of all aspects of animal care and handling and the further elevation of shelter medicine and community animal health across ASPCA programs and external partners

• Provide shelter medical expertise focusing on shelter and community animal health and operations

• Develop and support the implementation of efficient and effective protocols for high-quality, practical, and cost-efficient veterinary care in accordance with shelter medicine principles

• Build capacity in veterinarians and other medical staff to apply shelter medicine principles and best practices across a wide variety of situations

• Coach and trouble-shoot the development, implementation, and continued refinement of key shelter medicine practices such as daily rounds and pathway planning

• Serve as a champion in times of change management and proactively assist in identifying ways to improve people, policies, and medical protocols. Maintain proactive communication with the VP and the Director of Clinical Training as to any critical situations or issues.

• Provide direct clinical care alongside trainees to optimize clinical service delivery and teaching opportunities. Provide direct clinical assistance to support the management of individual animals and populations when appropriate.

Lead remote and on-site shelter consultations with residents and shelter medicine practitioners to develop their consultative skills and expertise

• Provide expertise and support for implementation and evaluation of shelter medical programs and protocols

• Produce reports and support materials to assist organizations in implementing recommendations

Provide Shelter Medicine Leadership and Expertise

• Improve animal health and strengthen shelter medicine programs through development and delivery of high-quality resources

• Develop and deliver programs, presentations, audio-visual content, website content, and written materials on shelter medicine, community animal health, and animal welfare

• Identify and develop opportunities to promote, expand, and improve programs for the care of shelter, homeless, and at-risk animals in communities

• Perform shelter medicine consultations and evaluations, sometimes in partnership with other consultants, community organizations, or other programs

• Advise and educate the public, shelters, veterinarians and ASPCA departments on issues pertaining to shelter medicine, animal health, and animal welfare

• Advise on and participate in the development of industry standards and guidelines and ensure adherence to regulatory requirements as they pertain to shelter medicine programs and community animal health initiatives

• Serve in strategic roles in veterinary medical, educational, and animal welfare organizations on a regional or national level to promote shelter medicine and community animal health

Leadership and Management

• Serve as the direct supervisor for the Director of Clinical Training and indirect supervisor for the residents

• Ensure a respectful, welcoming environment and strong learning culture through clear expectations, active goal setting, and regular feedback and after-action conversations

• Provide consistent, high-quality feedback, including regular 1:1s and quarterly feedback sessions to build strong relationships, provide clear direction, and encourage opportunities for development.

• Complete annual performance evaluations and goal setting

• Handle employee-relations issues with confidentiality and care, employing active listening to understand employee concerns, encouraging problem solving, and creating viable solutions

• Practice and espouse positive, people-centric management approaches in line with team and organizational core values

Qualifications:

• Expert level of knowledge and experience in shelter medicine practice and companion animal population health

• Current veterinary license in New York State or able to achieve NYS licensure within 90 days of employment

• Innovative, creative and solution-minded problem-solver with a positive, proactive attitude in the face of complex challenges 

• Demonstrated ability to influence and lead teams, even without formal authority, by demonstrating flexibility, resiliency, and commitment

• Proven coach and mentor who inspires, guides, and supports other individuals to successfully reach complex, long-term goals

• Skillful and diplomatic communicator, possessing confidence and composure required to effectively communicate with staff and management at a variety of levels 

• Strong sense of integrity: able to maintain high professional standards while innovating and adjusting recommendations and approaches to meet programmatic needs in a way that is productive and well-received by stakeholders

• Strong organizational, analytical, writing, and presentation skills: able to identify key metrics, communicate persuasively to stakeholders, translate into data-driven resources that inform decision making, and present materials to others

• Must be able to identify opportunities and assist in the development of new projects and partnerships

• Able to work well under pressure, adapt to changing circumstances, and shift priorities based on animal and organizational needs

• Able to work in a home office with minimal supervision

• Exemplifies the ASPCA’s core values and behavioral competencies.

Education and Work Experience:

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or equivalent degree from an accredited veterinary college required

• Board certification in Shelter Medicine Practice preferred; if not currently certified, actively working toward specialty certification (expected completion within 2 years of hire) required

• 7 years of veterinary experience required

• 5 years of shelter medicine experience, including working directly in or closely with a variety of sheltering organizations on both individual and population levels, required 

• Prior experience training veterinary students and/or veterinarians preferred

• Prior experience in performing or supporting applied clinical research and knowledge of epidemiological study design preferred.

  

Language:

English (Required)

Education and Work Experience:

Doctorate: Veterinary Medicine (Required)