Demo

Humane Investigations Supervisor

SPCA Serving Erie County
Buffalo, NY Full Time
POSTED ON 10/26/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 2/22/2027

POSITION SUMMARY AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

This position is responsible for providing leadership, supervision, and operational oversight of the Humane Investigations Department. The Humane Investigations Supervisor oversees Humane Investigators, the Lead Humane Investigator, Dispatch and Case Coordinator, and Rescue Agents while ensuring investigations, rescue responses, and community-based interventions are conducted professionally, consistently, and in accordance with organizational policies and applicable laws. The successful candidate will support a prevention-focused approach to animal welfare that emphasizes education, resource connection, and early intervention whenever appropriate while recognizing enforcement as an important responsibility when necessary to protect animals and public safety. This position works collaboratively across the organization and community to strengthen animal welfare outcomes and support department effectiveness.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

· Provides day-to-day leadership and operational oversight of the Humane Investigations Department.

  • Serves as the department's operational leader, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and supporting the strategic direction established by the Senior Director of Outreach and Cruelty Investigations.
  • Ensures investigations, rescue responses, dispatch activities, and community response efforts are conducted effectively, professionally, and in compliance with applicable laws and organizational policies.
  • Assigns, reviews, and monitors casework to ensure timely, thorough investigation and resolution.
  • Responds to complex, high-profile, or sensitive cases and provides operational support during emergencies and critical incidents.
  • Provides leadership and direction for department operations and promotes a culture of professionalism, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
  • Establishes performance expectations, conducts evaluations, provides coaching, supports professional development, and fosters a positive, trauma-informed workplace culture.
  • Develops and maintains departmental policies, procedures, training programs, operational standards, and workload management practices.
  • Oversees case management systems, records, reporting, and documentation to ensure accuracy, consistency, and accountability.
  • Analyzes departmental data and prepares reports to support planning, evaluation, and decision-making.
  • Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with law enforcement agencies, the District Attorney's Office, Dog Control Officers, municipal partners, animal welfare organizations, and other community stakeholders while representing the organization in community and interagency initiatives.
  • Promotes prevention-focused strategies through education, resource navigation, pet retention, and early intervention while ensuring appropriate enforcement action when necessary to protect animal welfare and public safety.
  • Provides guidance related to investigations, legal documentation, court preparation, and prosecution support.
  • Participates in organizational initiatives, strategic planning efforts, and other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

  • Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Animal Welfare, Public Administration, Human Services, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
  • Minimum of three years of supervisory or management experience required.
  • Experience in animal welfare, investigations, law enforcement, public safety, emergency response, or community services preferred.
  • Experience working with companion animals and knowledge of animal welfare issues preferred.
  • Training in trauma-informed response, crisis intervention, conflict de-escalation, motivational interviewing, customer service, and other department-required certifications and continuing education preferred. Candidates who do not possess required training at the time of hire must successfully complete department-approved training and certification requirements within established timeframes.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, databases, reporting systems, and case management software.

CERTIFICATION AND LICENSES

  • Valid New York State Driver's License and acceptable driving record.
  • New York State Peace Officer Certification.
  • Annual Peace Officer qualifications and training as required by law.
  • Fear Free Shelters Certification required or must be obtained within a department-established timeframe following hire.
  • Firearms qualification, if required by assigned duties.
  • Defensive tactics certification, if required by assigned duties.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain all certifications, licenses, and qualifications required to perform assigned responsibilities.

Pay: $67,000.00 per year

Benefits:

  • 401(k)
  • 401(k) matching
  • Dental insurance
  • Employee assistance program
  • Employee discount
  • Health insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Parental leave
  • Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

  • Are you a current NYS Peace Officer with active certification?

Work Location: In person

Salary : $67,000

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Humane Investigations Supervisor?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Humane Investigations Supervisor career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$99,975 - $138,209
Income Estimation: 
$114,907 - $150,919
Income Estimation: 
$132,976 - $201,974
Income Estimation: 
$106,129 - $145,100
Income Estimation: 
$121,512 - $169,501
Income Estimation: 
$93,725 - $113,663
Income Estimation: 
$114,334 - $128,441
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Humane Investigations Supervisor jobs in the Buffalo, NY area that may be a better fit.

  • Buffalo Special Investigations Buffalo, NY
  • Job Overview We are seeking a dynamic and vigilant Security Guard Supervisor to lead our security team in safeguarding our facilities, assets, and personne... more
  • 27 Days Ago

  • VRC Investigations Buffalo, NY
  • We currently have career opportunities for experienced, self-determined, and highly motivated SURVEILLANCE INVESTIGATORS that would like to join our team o... more
  • 8 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!