The ASPCA Community Advocate engages in grassroots efforts to reduce the number of companion animals surrendered to shelters and improve the welfare of pets and the people who care for them. The Community Advocate will accomplish this by building trusted partnerships with community residents in New York City’s most underserved neighborhoods, and connecting them to ASPCA services and other resources that increase pet health and spay/neuter rates.

The Community Advocate schedule is Tuesday-Saturday and generally requires an early morning start once a week (6:00 AM/7:00AM) and/or full weekend shifts approximately twice a year.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships with community residents to promote and connect with people in need of ASPCA CARES program services, including several hours of weekly door-to-door outreach in a designated area of the New York City
• Plan, promote and execute events to connect people with the most at-risk pets in New York City to the services that the ASPCA CARES program has to offer
• Share information regarding the benefits of spay/neuter
• Schedule spay/neuter appointments & follow up to ensure appointment compliance
• Meet and greet clients at clinic prior to intake
• Transport pets to clinics as needed
• Collect outreach data and enter into ASPCA CARES client database; submit data and reports as required
• Achieve spay/neuter goals in assigned territory
• Serve as a liaison to connect people with services provided by partner agencies
• Deliver excellent customer service with a high level of respect toward clients
• Cultivate and maintain new partnerships with local businesses, libraries, public housing leaders, community centers, and other organizations that lead to increased awareness about spay/neuter
• Seek out volunteer partners to provide outreach and programming support
• Attend all required staff meetings and training sessions
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Deep commitment to the mission of the ASPCA and the goals of increasing pet wellness and spay/neuter rates among dogs and cats in New York City’s most underserved neighborhoods
• Exceptional relationship-builder – both with community members and team members; derives energy from interacting with others
• Ability to influence and motivate people to desired outcomes
• Operates with personal responsibility and motivated by hitting goals; track record of being a self-starter
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills; exceptional judgment
• Excellent planner, with the ability to plan strategically to meet goals
• Organized, meets deadlines
• Track record of timely and accurate data entry
• Thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and operates with a sense of urgency; proactive
• Flexible, copes well with change
• Experience with and/or interest in working with diverse urban populations; enthusiasm for being on your feet most of the day out in the community
• 2-3 years of experience in community organizing, campaigning, sales or customer service experience required
• Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred
• Valid New York state driver’s license with strong driving record preferred
• Bachelor’s degree preferred

Salary and Benefits
Salary for this position is competitive and is commensurate with experience. In addition, a comprehensive benefits package is included.

About the ASPCA

The ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) is the first animal welfare organization established in North America and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animals. The organization’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA provides local and national leadership in three key areas: protecting and rescuing animals from crisis, assisting animals in communities and advancing legal protection for animals.

The ASPCA was founded by Henry Bergh in 1866 on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment at the hands of humans, and must be protected under the law. Headquartered in New York City, the ASPCA maintains a full-service animal hospital, spay/neuter clinic, rehabilitation center for canine victims of cruelty, kitten nursery and adoption facility. In addition, the ASPCA announced a groundbreaking anti-cruelty partnership with the New York Police Department in 2013, which has resulted in a record-breaking number of arrests and animals’ lives saved.

The ASPCA also operates programs and services that extend nationwide, including a Field Investigation and Response team that rescues animal victims of natural and man-made disasters, a fully-subsidized spay/neuter clinic in Los Angeles, a Behavioral Rehabilitation Center for fearful, under-socialized dogs, and a 24-hour, 365-day Animal Poison Control Center that provides pet owners and veterinarians with live, on-call assistance related to toxic products and substances. In 2015, the ASPCA acquired Humane Alliance, the nation’s leading training and education organization focusing on high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter.

The ASPCA is a privately funded 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization supported by more than 2 million animal advocates across the country.

The ASPCA provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

How to apply

Please visit our website to learn more and apply.