Overview
The ASPCA National Field & Disaster Response (NFDR) Team deploys nationwide to remove animals from crisis situations created by natural disasters like hurricanes, tornados, floods, and wildfires, or by animal abuse like animal fighting, puppy mills, hoarding, or neglect.
We welcome responders with diverse skillsets including logistics, driving (CDL, DOT Regulated, and non-regulated drivers), drone piloting, supply distribution, safety expertise, forensics, and administrative specialties to support our work.
The role of the Professional Responder – Non-Animal Handling is to help animals in our care by providing a safe and humane experience. These roles support staff and animals by providing expertise in niche roles, often considered non-animal handling, to support field and disaster operations across the country.
About this Opportunity:
This is a contingent position and the person hired will be employed through a third-party staffing agency.
The target hiring range for this role is $20-$25 per hour and may be modified in the future.
This role is part of an on-demand responder pool with unpredictable needs. Due to the high application volume and varying needs, application reviews will be conducted periodically when the NFDR team identifies a specific need. There may be a significant delay, or no follow-up, after applying.
Where and When You’ll Work
Support is requested wherever and whenever the need arises. By joining our team as a Responder, you may have the opportunity to assist in field response, disaster response, or other emergent needs. Expectations are as follows:
Commitment of 7 or more days of travel (2 travel days and 5 working days) per deployment
This is a variable hour opportunity. NFDR cases can last weeks or months, and the NFDR team may call upon you to activate when your credentials match case needs
The ability to deploy a minimum of 4 times per year
Ability to activate quickly, often with only a few days to one week notice
What You’ll Do
Responders - Non-Animal Handling report directly to the Senior Manager, National Responder Strategy and have no direct reports.
Roles can include, but are not limited to:
Responsibilities
Responsibilities are listed in general order of importance. They include but are not limited to:
Provide logistical, operational, and safety support for ASPCA disaster response and national cruelty/criminal case deployments
Rapidly deploy to field operations to coordinate logistics, camp management, supply distribution, and demobilization
Manage procurement, inventory, transport, maintenance, and accountability of equipment, vehicles, food, and supplies
Ensure safe, humane, and compliant transport of animals, equipment, and personnel in accordance with ASPCA and DOT regulations
Coordinate meals, responder support services, and field infrastructure to maintain operational readiness
Monitor operational timelines and oversee organized setup, breakdown, and equipment recovery
Conduct site surveys, safety assessments, and hazard mitigation; provide daily safety briefings and incident reporting
Maintain situational awareness and communicate resource needs, constraints, and recommendations to leadership
Collaborate with partner agencies, shelters, veterinarians, and responders to ensure mission objectives are met
Prepare situation reports, assessments, and documentation in support of planning and after-action processes
Support the remote functions of the Responder Program and case planning including email drafting and other administrative tasks
Qualifications:
Utilizes a holistic approach to problem solving
Ability to communicate calmly, clearly and effectively in high stress environments
Ability to organize and guide individuals
Flexibility to adjust to new conditions and challenges
The ability to properly handle and utilize specialized animal rescue equipment
Ability to bend, crouch, and kneel
Ability to repeatedly lift up to 50 pounds
Ability to understand and follow proper PPE protocols
Demonstrates care and concern for the well-being of animals
For remote support, proficiency in Outlook, Canva, Airtable, and Box is preferred
Language:
Stay Connected – Join Our Talent Community:
If you are interested in joining our team but don't feel this position fits your experience or interests, please check out our other open opportunities or consider joining our Talent Community.
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.
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).
Applicant Notices: Applicants have rights under federal employment laws: Equal Employment Opportunity; Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA); Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA); Uniformed Services Employment Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). Candidates residing in CA, CO, Flagstaff (AZ), IL, IN, Los Angeles (CA), Los Angeles County (CA), MA, ME, NJ, NM, NYC, OR, Philadelphia (PA), RI, San Francisco (CA), and WI should click here for additional information about general applicant notices.
