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Summary:
The ASPCA's Learning Lab, a professional education and partnership program, focuses on elevating the behavioral health of shelter animals nationwide through in-person retreats and workshops, online education, and by facilitating an active Community of animal welfare partners. The Learning Lab is embedded with multiple ASPCA sheltering facilities and collaborates with experts across the ASPCA and from the Learning Lab Community to develop and deliver educational content. The application for this position will be open until Friday, September 12 at 3pm EST. The Director works closely with Learning Lab colleagues and other subject matter experts to develop and deliver interactive educational experiences for animal shelter organizations across the country. The Director's work emphasizes fostering relationships between the Learning Lab and participating shelters as the foundation for discussion and planning of strategic, program-and organization-level advancement goals. The Director also cultivates a partnership community between participating shelters for sharing of ideas, resources and solutions that collaboratively advance the field of shelter behavior. The Learning Lab department has grown and evolved considerably since inception in 2018. We continually build and rebuild elements of our educational portfolio based on ever-changing needs in the field and on participant feedback. The Director, along with the Vice President of the Learning Lab and the Senior Director of Shelter Behavior Education Programs, actively assesses the strategy, format, content, and delivery of our relationship-based educational experiences and of our partnership community to maximize impact. The relationship-based educational experiences for which the Director is primarily responsible are in-person educational retreats, site visits, a biennial Behavior Summit conference, and a virtual workshop series. We expect and encourage these offerings, as well as the partner community, to grow and evolve over time under the Director's guidance. The Director stays abreast of current events and updates across the field to inform relationship- and community-building, and updates to educational offerings. They also assist the Vice President of the Learning Lab and the Senior Director of Shelter Behavior Education Programs with departmental strategic planning and impact measurement, and engage in other cross-departmental and cross-organization opportunities relevant to the Learning Lab's work and their expertise. The director reports to the Vice President, Learning Lab and has no direct reports.
This remote-based position (which requires travel, as described below) is open to all eligible candidates based within the United States, with preference for candidates located in or willing to relocate to the Pawling NY area or the Asheville, NC area. Must be able and willing to travel up to 25% of the time as needed. Working hours are Monday - Friday between the hours of 8am and 6pm (flexible to meet scheduling needs and the Director's preference). Schedules are subject to change at the sole discretion of the ASPCA. Flexibility for occasional work after standard business hours and on weekends The target hiring range is based on where the employee works, which for remote roles is the employee's primary location of residence, and its respective cost of labor. You can view which zone applies to you based on your location For questions regarding locations not on the list, please send an email to Careers@aspca.org for more information. 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 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 ranges for this role are set forth below and may be modified in the future. 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, sick and bereavement time, paid parental leave, 10 company paid holidays, and paid personal time off 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. Check our website for more information on our benefits offerings. Responsibilities:
Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: In-Person and Online Education: Development & Delivery
Collaborate with the Vice President of the Learning Lab and the Senior Director, Shelter Behavior Education Programs to define overall learning objectives and scope of Learning Lab educational programs to deliver behavioral healthcare-focused content that meets the ASPCA's goals and the current and future needs of the animal welfare community Collaborate with the Learning Lab Team and subject matter experts to design and develop educational experiences and content, incorporating adult learning principles and didactic best practices Lead and facilitate in-person and virtual educational experiences by presenting information, leading discussions, guiding educational activities, and guiding warm-ups and wrap-ups Ensure a welcoming, safe, respectful, and productive learning environment for everyone Conduct participant surveys of participants, and assist with the collection and monitoring program data to assess impact and discover ideas for improvements or additions to the program Incorporate learner, observer, and subject matter expert feedback into existing learning experiences to continually improve and update content and delivery Manage educational experience preparations and logistics in collaboration with the Administrative Coordinator With direction from the Director of Multimedia Learning and Consultation, assist with development and delivery of virtual learning experiences, including serving as a subject matter expert consultant for participating organizations Relationship-Based Change Management Support
Cultivate trusting relationships between the Learning Lab and participating organizations as the foundation for discussion and planning of strategic, program- and organization-level change Serve as a Learning Lab program ambassador to recruit new organizational partners and gain commitments to apply for a Learning Lab educational experience, representing the program in a compelling and accurate way Lead the process for accepting, reviewing, and providing feedback to organizations applying to participate in the program Plan and lead site visits and follow up visits by ASPCA staff to partner organizations for smooth and enjoyable building of professional relationships and to support participating organizations' progress in elevating their behavior healthcare programs Develop and lead learning opportunities and share resources focused on change management for participating organizations Plan and lead delivery of quarterly post-event follow up meetings and surveys with participating organizations, applying change management principles to help them track goal progress, adjust tactics, and maintain momentum towards goals Act as a primary agent for connections between the ASPCA and participating organizations (e.g., info requests, connections with internal experts) to support goal progress and implementation Program Strategy and Management
With direction from the Vice President of the Learning Lab and in collaboration with the Learning Lab team, plan annual and multi-year marketing and recruitment strategies to establish and maintain recognition as a leading edge, shelter behavior education and networking conduit in the ASPCA and in the animal welfare community as a whole Assist the Vice President of the Learning Lab and the Senior Director of Shelter Behavior Education Programs with departmental strategic planning and impact measurement Liaise with the ASPCA Pro and ASPCA Learn teams to ensure that the Learning Lab's presence and behavioral information available on their sites is accurate, compelling, and consistent with our program's mission and goals Stay abreast of current events and innovations across the field to inform cross-organization relationships, community-building, and updates to educational offerings Engage in cross-departmental and cross-organization working groups relevant to the Learning Lab's work and their expertise. Provide informational presentations on the Learning Lab to internal and external audiences to enhance program participation and support Learning Lab Community Cultivation & Management
Work closely with the Vice President of the Learning Lab to craft and carry out the annual and multi-year strategy for a robust and innovative partnership Community Cultivate a partnership Community based on mutual understanding, professional connections, and sharing of ideas, resources and solutions that collaboratively advance the field of shelter behavior Create and direct the strategy for resource roll out and discussions with the Community to highlight best practices, new resources, and incorporate feedback in a thoughtful and timely manner Foster lively engagement among Community members, including through creation of e-newsletters, social media groups, or similar connection channels Lead the planning of the structure, content, logistics and culture of a biennial Behavior Summit for partner Community members. Serve as host at the event to ensure the organizations attending forge meaningful and lasting professional connections and share impactful information with each other Channel innovative ideas and feedback from the Community back to the Learning Lab and the ASPCA as a whole, so that our programming and offerings continue to be relevant and leading-edge within the field Identify unfilled educational and resource needs among organizations in the Community, with an eye towards filling those needs and harmonizing best practices across organizations With direction from the Vice President of the Learning Lab, support multi-organizational collaborative efforts among partner shelters, such as joint research, conference presentations, or training events Other duties as assigned
Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience required Minimum of 5 years of experience working as a professional animal behavior expert in a shelter setting required Experience providing professional advising or consulting on animal behavior topics required Experience facilitating in-person and online discussions, workshops, or courses for professional audiences required Experience preparing & leading presentations for professional audiences required Experience successfully building and curating a professional community, network, or association strongly preferred Experience building and maintaining shelter behavior programs strongly preferred Familiarity with change management principles and application of the principles to effect organizational change strongly preferred Marketing strategy experience preferred Education or experience in applying adult learning principles preferred Low Stress Handling University Silver-Level certification or Fear Free Shelters certification preferred, or obtained within six months of hire Animal Behavior Society A/CAAB, CCPDT, or IAABC certification preferred or eligibility to obtain such certification within a year of hire required
Thrives on building and sustaining positive and productive relationships in person and remotely Communicates in a manner that "meets people where they are at" when engaging with people with varied abilities, work styles, learning styles, value systems, and experiences Demonstrated skills in facilitating respectful and productive discussions, including conversations on sensitive topics Strong active listening skills and attention to details in the information conveyed Strong written, oral, interpersonal, & electronic communication skills Ability to comprehend and distill large concepts and multiple information sources into manageable concepts and actionable objectives Proactively identifies opportunities and hurdles and takes the initiative to find solutions or bring them to the team for action Eager to learn and apply new information, ideas, techniques, and technology to keep one's own work and that of the program fresh and innovative Must be self-motivated, extremely organized, and able to prioritize effectively, while recognizing when to ask for help Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a dynamic environment Ability to stay calm and display care and concern for the well-being of others, self, and animals during stressful situations Technical proficiency with Microsoft Office suite Familiarity with team collaboration platforms (e.g, Microsoft Teams) and social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram) Familiarity with AirTable is a plus Must be able to work in a stationary position for 8+ hours per day and to work for 2+ hours at a time standing or moving about an animal shelter facility to meet the physical requirements of this position Ability to work in a facility where humane euthanasia of behaviorally compromised animals may be performed on a regular basis Candidates must provide a valid driver's license upon hire and pass a motor vehicle history check demonstrating a safe driving history.
Stay Connected - Join Our Talent Community If you are interested in joining our team but do not see a position listed that fits your experience or interests, please visit our website to join our Talent Community and stay connected to future opportunities with the ASPCA. Qualifications: See above for qualifications details.
Language: English (Required)
Education and Work Experience: High School Diploma
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 ASPCA's standard application process, which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on the ASPCA. Please inform the ASPCA's 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). 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 ASPCA's vision - that all animals live good lives; valued by society, protected by its laws, and free from cruelty, pain and suffering. Your Employee Rights Under the Family and Medical Leave Act:
Pursuant to regulations of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), we provide this notice to applicants about eligible employees' protected leave for certain reasons. Click on the link to learn more. Applicants that are residents of Colorado: Per CO Senate Bill 23-058, we cannot generally request or require any age-related information (i.e., age, DOB, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution) on an initial employment application; this includes any age-related inquiries in the initial interview. We are permitted to require/request additional application materials; if those materials contain any age-related information, an applicant may redact the information before submitting an initial employment application. Indiana Applicants: Pursuant to Indiana law, we are providing notice that it is an unlawful employment practice for an employer to discriminate against a prospective employee on the basis of status as a veteran by: (1) refusing to employ an applicant for employment on the basis that the applicant is a veteran of the armed forces of the United States; or (2) refusing to employ an applicant for employment on the basis that the applicant is a member of the Indiana National Guard or a member of a reserve component. Should you feel that you were a victim of discrimination on the basis of veteran status, please let us know at careers@aspca.org. Alternatively, you can file a complaint with the following agencies at any time: Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC) 100 North Senate Avenue, Room N103, Indianapolis, IN 46204; Office: (317) 232-2600 | Toll Free: (800) 628-2909; Hearing Impaired: (800) 743-3333 | Fax: (317) 232-6580; E-mail: icrc@crc.in.gov | Website: www.in.gov/icrc. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission - Indianapolis Field Office; 115 W. Washington Street South Tower Suite 600; Indianapolis, IN 46204; Phone: 463-999-1240; Fax: 317-226-7953; TTY: 1-800-669-6820;ASL Video Phone: 844-234-5122.
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ASPCA
parental leave, paid holidays, flex time, 401(k)
Aug 28, 2025