Grooming, Education, & Community Specialist

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

Summary :

The ASPCA's Community Engagement program works in New York City to assist pet owners by addressing systemic issues such as lack of access to resources, domestic violence, socioeconomic distress, and medical or mental health considerations.

Access to grooming can be a challenge to pet owners in NYC who experience these underlying challenges. The Grooming Specialist will work as part of a team to deliver basic grooming to these pet owners who come to the ASPCA via relationships with key partners (e.

g., human service organizations, animal welfare groups, NYPD).

The Grooming Specialist will participate in field work including visiting client's homes to provide in-home grooming and will also act as a case lead on non-grooming cases to coordinate services for clients, transport animals from veterinary hospitals to the ASPCA hospital as needed, and attend community events.

This position will also provide grooming services at ASPCA events and a weekly mobile grooming event. The Grooming Specialist will also provide grooming at other ASPCA locations (Community Veterinary Centers) as well as helping internal departments with grooming needs.

This position will be providing grooming services 3-4 days of the week across the five boroughs including the South Bronx, East New York (Brooklyn), the Upper East Side (Manhattan) and Long Island City (Queens) and will have one office-based day in Long Island City.

The schedule for this position is Tuesday through Saturday from 9 : 00am - 5 : 00pm. Shifts are subject to change at the sole discretion of the ASPCA.

The ASPCA's Community Engagement program works in New York City to assist pet owners by addressing systemic issues such as lack of access to resources, domestic violence, socioeconomic distress, and medical or mental health considerations.

Access to grooming can be a challenge to pet owners in NYC who experience these underlying challenges. The Grooming Specialist will work as part of a team to deliver basic grooming to these pet owners who come to the ASPCA via relationships with key partners (e.

g., human service organizations, animal welfare groups, NYPD).

The Grooming Specialist will participate in field work including visiting client's homes to provide in-home grooming and will also act as a case lead on non-grooming cases to coordinate services for clients, transport animals from veterinary hospitals to the ASPCA hospital as needed, and attend community events.

This position will also provide grooming services at ASPCA events and a weekly mobile grooming event. The Grooming Specialist will also provide grooming at other ASPCA locations (Community Veterinary Centers) as well as helping internal departments with grooming needs.

This position will be providing grooming services 3-4 days of the week across the five boroughs including the South Bronx, East New York (Brooklyn), the Upper East Side (Manhattan) and Long Island City (Queens) and will have one office-based day in Long Island City.

The schedule for this position is Tuesday through Saturday from 9 : 00am - 5 : 00pm. Shifts are subject to change at the sole discretion of the ASPCA.

Responsibilities :

Responsibilities include but are not limited to :

Direct Grooming Services (50%)

Serve as a case lead for Community Engagement grooming cases. Conduct field visits to provide grooming in clients' homes and develop plans to teach pet owners how to groom their pets.

Communicate with clients to gather historical information on their pets' needs and develop plans that include ASPCA services and referrals to social service agencies when needed.

This position will carry 3-4 cases at a time.

Perform grooming services at ASPCA locations and events. Teach clients how to groom their pets by conducting hands-on demonstrations.

Educate clients on how to create action plans for ongoing grooming needs. Emphasize the importance of ongoing grooming tasks and illustrate the challenges when it is not maintained to pet owners.

• Participate in mobile grooming events 2-3 times per month with Community Engagement Coordinators. Assist in the planning, outreach, scheduling, and follow-up paperwork for these events.
• Teach clients how to use grooming kits and nail trimmers and emphasize the importance of consistent grooming for long-term health and wellbeing.
• Collaborate with other ASPCA departments as requested to ensure access to grooming services for clients and ASPCA program goals.

Community Engagement Casework (25%)

Act as a case lead and provide case management from initiation to completion. Communicate with clients to gather historical information on their pets needs and develop intervention plans that include ASPCA services and referrals to social service agencies when needed.

This position will carry 8-10 cases at a time and may not include grooming services.

• Conduct field visits and develop intervention plans for cases, including frequency of visits and action plans
• Support Community Engagement transport team with transportation of animals from CE and NYPD cases to partners / locations across the five boroughs
• Participate in large-scale NYPD cases that require the physical removal of animals. On occasion, assist with daily care 1-2 times a week for up to one month after the removal.

Administrative Responsibilities (25%)

• Deliver feedback and contribute to strategic planning of the development of grooming services.
• Work collaboratively with Senior Manager and Community Engagement team to plan outreach / events for grooming services, including the weekly mobile grooming event.
• Participate in and contribute to meetings with ASPCA departments to help lobby for the need for the integration of grooming services (Government Relations, Strategy & Research, etc).
• Ensure accurate data collection for services rendered.
• Manage grooming supply inventory.
• Post 3 times per month on Workplace to highlight the grooming program and to keep the organization engaged in its growth.
• Contribute to department's reports by capturing photos and writing highlights on special cases or relevant events.
• Attend one training (virtual or in person) per year to develop professional goals and promote career growth.
• Obtain necessary CE credits to stay up to date on grooming certification.

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

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 $25.97 / hour - $27.41 / hour

For more information on our Benefit offerings, click here .

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 join our Talent Community to stay connected to future opportunities with the ASPCA.

Qualifications :

Ability to lift up to 40 lbs., stand for long periods and work outside in various conditions, Animal care / handling experience, Computer literacy with particular proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

Civicore experience a plus., Critical thinking skills required, as this is a developing program with impact on the organization and field and will need direct feedback and strategy development to ensure its success.

Fluency in English required, bilingual in Spanish strongly preferred, Grooming certification in NY required, Must have strong interpersonal and communication skills, including client interactions, Must provide a valid driver's license upon hire and pass a motor vehicle history check demonstrating a safe driving history, Strong team player, as well as ability to work independently

Language :

English (Required), Spanish

Education and Work Experience :

High School Diploma (Required)

2 years or more professional experience

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).

Please don't 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 ASPCA's vision - that all animals live good lives;

valued by society, protected by its laws, and free from cruelty, pain and suffering.