Manager, Animal Relocation Driver (Chattanooga or Memphis)

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

Summary:

ASPCA’s Shelter Services department is seeking an Animal Relocation Driver to support our Animal Relocation Initiative – a program aimed at increasing adoptions and decreasing euthanasia nationwide through animal relocation and transport. Our Relocation team is responsible for successfully transporting approximately 50,000 dogs and cats each year – life-changing work that is made possible by our dedicated team of drivers (that’s you!).

The Animal Relocation Driver will be responsible for safe, efficient, and humane short and long-distance animal relocation between welfare organizations, basic vehicle maintenance, and will have opportunities to manage projects and resources that expand the capacity of relocation efforts. Trips are often multiple night and occur on a weekly basis. Drivers travel across the country, so they may encounter all types of weather conditions on the job. The person in this role will, in addition to being responsible for animals on transport, provide support and excellent customer service for partner shelters.

The role is perfect for someone comfortable representing the ASPCA in public, who thrives in a fast-paced and constantly changing environment, and who loves travel and interacting with people passionate about animal welfare. You will have opportunities to build relationships with animal welfare advocates across the country and see first-hand how welfare groups have teamed up to create opportunities for animals. It’s hard work that takes a special person, but there is no better feeling than knowing you personally and directly impacted outcomes for an animal by ensuring geography is not a barrier to animals finding long-term homes.

This is a remote location position, but candidates must be based within a one-hour driving radius of one of the following locations:

• Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Memphis, Tennessee

For all locations, significant travel (approximately 80%) by ground and air is required.

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

Animal Transport Management (80%)

• Ensure safe animal transport for long and short trips to destination locations throughout the South, Midwest, and East Coast
• Assist in ensuring all animals have received required preparation for transport such as vaccinations, dewormers, microchips, etc. and have any required health certificates
• Ensure animals are behaviorally sound for adoption and adequate space is available on the plane or vehicle
• Load and unload vehicles, including repeatedly up to 50 pounds
• May be required to administer medication to animals on transport
• Thoroughly clean cages and vehicle following each transport in accordance with cleaning protocols
• Execute all aspects of assigned relocation projects in and throughout the South, Midwest, and East Coast areas and other areas as assigned.
• Execute transports including: partner relationships, animal readiness, documentation, vehicle oversight, animal handling, schedule, routes, emergency preparedness, etc.
• Oversee and track supplies and proper maintenance of program assets including vehicles and storage facilities
• Partner with and support the National Field Response team in responding and deploying to disasters in relocation role
• Adhere to and enforce safety protocols including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and protocols adopted in response to COVID
• Provide a safe and compassionate environment for animals in our care, our staff, and for our clients by using low-stress handling techniques
• Instill the guiding principle that everyone can—and should—actively support the animals’ behavioral and mental health in everything they do.
• Ensure that all team members have received training and mastered the skills to handle in a low stress manner, and that they implement these handling techniques consistently in all their interactions with animals.

Animal Relocation Administration & Planning (10%)

• Contribute to SOPs and detailed written summaries of projects to allow for duplication in other areas of the country, as relevant
• Maintain regular communication with the project agencies, Relocation Team, and other ASPCA departments with vested interest in the project/s
• Research best practices, industry standards, sustainability concepts, and other information relevant to the work. Make recommendations, provide summaries and/or detailed reports of findings as required
• Serve as main contact person for assigned projects
• Participate in strategic planning process and cross-departmental projects as assigned
• Support all other department activities which will contribute to the advancement and success of the team and the ASPCA as identified by supervisor
• Research and prepare materials for reports and metrics. Prepare and deliver presentations as needed
• Develop and implement programmatic advancements (such as the use of virtual systems and streamlining processes) in conjunction with leadership
• Report and update inventory information for vehicles and program storage units

Outreach & Engagement ASPCA Animal Relocation (10%)

• Promote ASPCA tools to expand national relocation efforts
• Assist with the identification and management of projects where ASPCA Relocation can expand capacity of relocation efforts (e.g. summits, State or regional team member, facility or equipment opportunities, etc.)
• Develop an understanding of expectations for project/s and ensure positive relationships are established with stakeholders
• Act as a liaison between source and destination partners to encourage communication and transparency
• Solicit and provide stories and pictures of transported animals. As requested, write stories for Workplace, ASPCA blogs, newsletters, etc. and submit to management for distribution to the appropriate ASPCA departments.
• Participate in media, marketing and communication materials as requested

Exemplifies the ASPCA’s 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

Driving And Travel Requirements

• Extensive air and ground travel (80%) is required. Travel includes multiday trips that occur on a weekly basis which are, on average, 4-6 days long and may include weekends and occasional holidays.
• Must have at least 5 years of driving experience; experience driving large vehicles such as a commercial van, box truck, bus, etc. a plus
• Must be able to drive 650 miles during the course of a day
• When working as a part of a team, must be comfortable being on the road for up to sixteen hours at a time
• Experience driving in all types of weather conditions preferred, winter weather in particular
• Must be able to lift and move up to 50 pounds
• Must have dependable personal transportation to travel to and from the transport vehicle
• Must provide a valid driver’s license upon hire and pass a motor vehicle history check demonstrating a safe driving history. As part of the driving requirements of this role, must also pass a Department of Transportation Medical Exam

Education & Experience

• High School Diploma required
• Minimum 4 years of work experience
• Minimum 2 years of professional experience working hands-on with animals that were not animals you owned (experience in the following a plus: animal transport/relocation, veterinary hands-on animal care, animal control, animal shelter staff, disaster response, dog training facility, boarding/day care, and/or recue or non-profit organization staff)

Qualifications

• Fear Free® certified, or within 60 days of employment
• Low Stress Handling® University Silver-Level Certification, or within 6 months of employment
• Knowledge of Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV) & Association of Animal Welfare Advancement (AAWA) Transport Best Practices preferred
• Must have ability to multi-task and support the team on a wide variety of projects
• Solid people skills and ability to positively adapt to differing personality types
• Must be motivated, flexible, pro-active individual, who is mission and goal oriented
• Must be self-directed and able to work independently and meet deadlines
• A strong sense of teamwork and collaboration with staff, volunteers and external constituents
• Ability to represent ASPCA philosophy and policy in all work areas
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Comfort with the Microsoft Office Suite
• Excellent administrative and organizational skills
• Must be detail oriented and meticulous about following SOPs and keeping accurate records
• Project management skills a plus
• Excellent low-stress animal handling skills
• Must be able to work in a remote setting with minimal supervision
• Brings a spirit of generosity and assumes the best in others
• Must provide a valid driver’s license upon hire and pass a motor vehicle history check demonstrating a safe driving history. As part of the driving requirements of this role, must also pass a Department of Transportation Medical Exam.

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 $27.00 – $29.40.

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

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Qualifications:

See Above For Qualifications Details.

Language:

English

Education and Work Experience:

Bachelors, High School Diploma (Required)

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’