Community Resource Advocate (Chow Wagon)

Status: Full-Time
FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt
Location: On-site with regular travel throughout the community
Schedule: Flexible schedule including occasional evenings, weekends, community events, and organizational events as needed
Starting Pay Range: $20 and up. 

Who We Are

For more than 80 years, Animal Friends has continually set – and raised – the bar for humane programming in the Pittsburgh region. Our 75-acre campus serves as a center of compassion and hope for thousands of homeless pets annually. As a full-service companion animal resource community, Animal Friends supports the region by providing tens of thousands of affordable services and impacting more than 200,000 lives through humane education, pet behavior classes, pet therapy, and our pet food bank each year.

Animal Friends is proud to continue to save lives . . . simply put, because it’s what we do.

At Animal Friends, we believe caring for animals and caring for people go hand in hand. We strive to create a compassionate, humane, inclusive, and healthy workplace where team members feel supported, valued, and connected to our mission.

Position Summary

The Community Resource Advocate (Chow Wagon) plays a vital role in supporting Animal Friends’ mission by helping keep pets and people together during times of need. This position focuses on addressing barriers that may threaten the human-animal bond, particularly pet food insecurity and access to resources.

Working closely with community members, food pantries, social service organizations, volunteers, and Animal Friends staff, the Community Resource Advocate serves as a key ambassador for our Pet Retention Programs. This role combines community outreach, volunteer engagement, program coordination, and direct client support to ensure families have access to the resources they need to care for and keep their pets.

Primary Responsibilities

Community Outreach & Partnership Development

• Build and maintain positive relationships with community organizations, food pantries, social service agencies, and community members.
• Identify and develop partnerships that expand access to pet food, pet supplies, veterinary care, and pet retention resources.
• Conduct outreach efforts targeting underserved pet owners and communities.
• Serve as a visible representative of Animal Friends at community events, outreach programs, vaccination clinics, and partner locations.
• Promote understanding and utilization of Animal Friends' Pet Retention Programs.

Chow Wagon Program Coordination

• Oversee the day-to-day operation of the Chow Wagon pet food pantry program.
• Coordinate weekly pet food and supply distributions for participating food pantries and individual clients.
• Ensure adequate inventory through community donations, purchasing, grant resources, and collaborative efforts with Development and Communications teams.
• Prepare pet food and supply loads for outreach events and emergency circumstances.
• Maintain a comprehensive Pet Retention Resource Guide connecting clients with available resources.

Volunteer Leadership

• Recruit, train, organize, and support volunteers assisting with the Chow Wagon program.
• Oversee volunteers engaged in donation transportation, sorting, inventory management, warehouse organization, and distribution activities.
• Foster meaningful volunteer engagement that supports Animal Friends' mission and community impact.

Program Administration

• Maintain accurate program data and records.
• Assist in the preparation of reports, program metrics, and outcome tracking.
• Support the development of annual program goals and budgets.
• Collaborate with Communications to promote program services and maintain consistent branding.
• Effectively communicate program guidelines, updates, and resources to clients, staff, volunteers, and community partners.

Cross-Departmental Support

• Collaborate with Community Programs staff, Clinic staff, and other departments to support complex client needs.
• Assist with community vaccination clinics, mobile pet pantry events, and transportation solutions for clients as needed.
• Support social work interns and educational initiatives within the Community Programs Department.

Other Duties

• Maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming environment.
• Participate in training and professional development opportunities.
• Support organizational special events, including Black Tie & Tails.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned to support organizational needs.  

What We Offer

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off, holidays, and birthday pay
• Retirement plan with employer contribution
• Employee Assistance Program
• Continuing education and professional development opportunities
• Pet care discounts and on-site clinic benefits
• Casual dress and Animal Friends gear
• The opportunity to build meaningful relationships throughout the community
• A mission-driven team and meaningful work that helps keep pets and people together

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Animal Friends is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a workplace that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We value the unique contributions and lived experiences of all team members and encourage applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities to apply.

We welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, including those with lived experience related to the communities served by our programs. We believe that strengthening the animal-human bond begins with treating all people with dignity, respect, and compassion.

Required Qualifications

Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Post-secondary education is welcomed but not required.

Experience:

• Experience in customer service, administration, community outreach, social services, animal welfare, or a related field.
• Experience building relationships with diverse populations and community partners.

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build trust and maintain positive relationships with individuals from diverse cultural, educational, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Strong organization, time management, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to think critically, creatively, and independently.
• Experience using Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, Teams, and Forms.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Strong customer service and conflict resolution skills.

Availability:

• Flexible schedule required.
• Ability to work occasional evenings, weekends, outreach events, and organizational events.

Licenses:

• Valid driver's license and ability to meet insurability requirements.
• Ability to travel independently to outreach locations and partner sites.

Animal Handling:

• Comfort working around dogs, cats, rabbits, and other companion animals of varying sizes, ages, temperaments, and health conditions.
• Ability to safely handle dogs on leash and transport animals in carriers and traps as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Lived experience working within underserved communities.
• Experience in social services, food insecurity programs, community organizing, or public assistance programs.
• Experience coordinating volunteers.
• Experience in animal welfare or pet retention programming.
• Familiarity with case management software and data tracking systems.
• Experience planning or coordinating community events and outreach initiatives.

Physical, Environmental & Emotional Demands

This position:

• Requires the ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, push, pull, and lift up to 50 pounds.
• Requires frequent movement of pet food, supplies, equipment, and related materials.
• Involves exposure to animals, animal hair and dander, dust, noise, and indoor/outdoor environments.
• May involve working in varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, and humidity.
• May involve risk of animal bites and scratches.
• Requires travel to community locations, food pantries, outreach events, and partner organizations.
• May involve emotionally challenging situations related to financial hardship, access to care, and pet retention challenges.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided in accordance with applicable laws.