Summary:
Overview
Are you a driven horseperson ready to make a real difference for equines and the people who love them? If you thrive on purpose-driven work and the chance to shape equine welfare on a national scale, this is your moment. Join the ASPCA's Equine Welfare team and help turn passion into action — creating second chances, stronger futures, and lasting impact for equines every day.
Who We Are
The work of the ASPCA’s Equine Welfare Department (EW department) is aimed at the ASPCA’s goals of improving shelter capacity, expanding access to veterinary care, and leading efforts to prevent and respond to cruelty. The ASPCA Equine Transition and Adoption Center (ETAC) operates in Oklahoma as a combination “learning lab” and state-wide solution for provision of safety-net care and transition of “hard to adopt” equines. ETAC, the ASPCA Right Horse program and its network of Partners work together to develop, improve and share practices that allow the national equine sheltering field to support and adopt out more equines, reducing cruelty and suffering.
What You’ll Do
The Equine Support and Operations Manager supports all Equine Transition and Adoption Center daily operations. This is a dynamic, hands-on role where no two days look the same. In this role, you'll keep operations moving by triaging daily priorities, anticipating team needs, and taking initiative to ensure equines receive timely, high-quality care. From handling horses during medical exams and supporting behavioral treatment plans to managing inventory, data entry, and equine transport logistics, you'll play a key role in the rhythm of day-to-day operations. You’ll contribute to the development of standard operating procedures, participate in team meetings, and help shape evolving workflows as we build and refine new processes to influence equine welfare strategies, nationwide. By building meaningful relationships with colleagues, community members, partner organizations, and equine professionals, the Ops Manager helps align efforts and resources to improve the lives of equines in Oklahoma and beyond. This role is perfect for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, embraces a little ambiguity, and knows how to balance teamwork with independent action to keep everything moving forward.
Where and When You’ll Work
This position is onsite and located in in El Reno, OK. This is a full-time position, Tuesday -Saturday 9-5, and the candidate will need to be flexible, as some early mornings, evenings, and weekends will be required.
What You’ll Get
Compensation
Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, training, experience, 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.
The target hiring range for this role is $60,000-$64,000 annually.
Benefits
Responsibilities:
Responsibility buckets are listed in general order of importance, and include but are not limited to:
ETAC Operations and Logistics:
Track all ETAC equine information using the Airtable system, including but not limited to metrics, paperwork, medical and diet information, costs, miscellaneous notes, and more.
Oversee ASPCA Equine Welfare/ETAC inventories, including promotional stock, medical and care supplies, and conference materials.
Fulfill and complete orders and shipments as needed for events, ASPCA Right Horse Partners, and other locations/sites as identified.
Oversee ETAC barn maintenance, cleanliness, and organization of all on-site ETAC spaces. Ensure orderly, organized supply/storage area, enrichment/tack stall, and office.
Working both intra- and inter-departmentally, help plan, manage, and implement events on-site including public-facing events, internal team visits, partner learning opportunities, and facility tours.
Collaborate with Equine Welfare teammates to coordinate hosting and attendance of national conferences, events, and other off-site learning/networking opportunities.
Help guide and enforce ETAC processes and practices. Contribute to the development and implementation of standardized documentation (SOPs, process maps, etc.).
Assist with other tasks to support ETAC goals, community engagement and Equine Welfare department objectives.
Client and Partner Engagement:
Manage client-facing interactions for the ASPCA ETAC, as the primary point-of-contact to respond to, track, and manage ETAC inquiries (phone, email, in-person). Guide clients to ensure their needs are met, even when services might be beyond ETAC’s scope and operations.
Collaborate with Midwest Office call takers to troubleshoot hotline challenges and advise on client support strategies.
Attend in-field appointments handling unfamiliar equines and approaching client interactions with compassion and professionalism.
Collaborate with the Director of Operations to coordinate transportation of new intakes.
Assist during adoption and pickup appointments, representing the ASPCA when meeting with adopters and contractors.
Maintain a positive and professional working relationship with all ETAC contractors, partner organizations, and leaseholder team members, approaching all interactions with a united front.
Support ETAC Volunteer Program by managing day to day work of volunteers.
Support network of ETAC veterinary partners throughout the state of Oklahoma to schedule and provide safety-net care for clients; recruit and onboard new veterinary partners as needed.
Equine Care Management:
Inspect each ETAC equine daily, note irregularities, record or escalate as necessary.
Oversee daily enrichment, make recommendations, build (or purchase) enrichment supplies, and develop and oversee enrichment schedule.
Oversee turn-out schedule of ETAC equines, grooms as needed,
During inclement weather where operations are severely impacted, report on-site, work with the leaseholder team to ensure ETAC horses needs are met, troubleshooting, escalating emergencies as needed, and safeguarding the care of all animals on property.
Communicate with leaseholder team to ensure care of ETAC horses and productive barn operations.
Coordinate feed regimens between medical and feed staff ensuring each equine receives proper feed. Update feed boards in alignment with leaseholder team process. Purchase special diets as necessary.
Administer, or oversee administration of, ETAC equine medications as prescribed and instructed by consulting veterinary partner. Update medication binder in alignment with leaseholder team process, filing completed med sheets in Airtable.
Provide medical treatment for ETAC horses as instructed (basic wound care, leg wraps, medicated baths, etc.)
Catch, groom, lead, and tack horses, as needed.
Conduct Basic Behavior Profile assessments at intake and periodically throughout pathway
Assist staff, contract veterinary professionals, contract haulers, and contract trainers in handling, restraint, and training techniques that may require assistance and tool or equipment use.
Provide basic training/behavior modification sessions for behaviorally uncomplicated equines. Capture notes, photos, and videos of sessions as requested.
Assists the Marketing and Adoption Manager in capturing photos and videos of equines for marketing purposes.
Advise on compassionate and strategic pathway recommendations for shelter equines, owner relinquishment and safety-net cases.
Qualifications:
Skilled in navigating sensitive and ambiguous client interactions with clear and compassionate communication.
Displays care and concern for the safety and well-being of self, animals, and others, especially during stressful times.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Strong organizational skills with excellent attention to detail.
Strong critical thinking skills with the ability to identify and prioritize tasks, streamline processes, and navigate through unforeseen circumstances.
Experience safely handling equines, including those who are nervous, young, unpredictable, or unsocialized.
Able to work closely with behaviorally and medically compromised animals; comfortable working in an environment where euthanasia is performed.
Proficient with Microsoft Office suite and experience with or ability to adapt to new technologies (including Airtable, Box, Canva, etc.).
Forms authentic, trusting relationships that enhance individual and team performance.
Barn management, animal shelter, or veterinary clinic experience is beneficial; operations, logistics, and event management experience preferred.
Possess physical/mental stamina and ability to work on your feet 40 hours per week, sometimes through extreme weather conditions.
Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs., and have the physical capacity to bend, reach overhead, and repetitively use hands to meet the physical demands of this position.
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
Understanding and ability to tow and trailer equines
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Ability to exemplify ASPCA’s core values and behavioral competencies
Language:
English (Required)
Spanish is a plus
Education and Work Experience
Minimum 5+ years equine handling experience required
Minimum 2+ years client-facing or customer service experience required
Professional experience in an animal welfare environment preferred
Event management or support experience preferred
Logistics background or inventory management experience a plus
Event management or support experience preferred
Qualifications:
See above for qualifications details.
Language:
Education and Work Experience:
High School Diploma (Required)