Volunteer Coordinator (Part-time)

JOB SUMMARY

The Volunteer Coordinator involves coordinating volunteer activities, recruiting new volunteers, conducting orientations and training, maintaining records, and ensuring the safety and well-being of shelter animals and volunteers. It also includes providing care for animals, cleaning and disinfecting shelter areas, delivering excellent customer service, handling financial transactions, and completing necessary paperwork and data entry. Additionally, the role may require assisting in various other shelter tasks as needed.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The responsibilities listed are not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible responsibilities, tasks, and duties that are required of the position. Responsibilities, tasks, duties, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Coordinate volunteer activities and schedules, including coverage for the shelter, offsite events, cuddle breaks, special events, and volunteer recruitment
• Recruit new volunteers through a variety of avenues, reaching out to a broad audience
• Conduct regular volunteer orientation and training, updating policies and procedures as needed
• Recommend, coordinate, and host donor and partner organizations for volunteer opportunities
• Observe both animal behavior and volunteer interactions for the safety and well-being of the animal and team, giving necessary feedback as required
• Maintain all volunteer records and prepare reports, as needed
• Deliver excellent customer service with internal and external customers and volunteers through in-person and phone interactions
• Handle financial transactions of donations and purchases of merchandise or services and reconcile receipts
• Assist in providing general care and maintenance of shelter animals including feeding, watering, medicating, bathing and grooming, providing enrichment and exercise opportunities, and monitoring for behavior or medical needs on a regular basis
• Assist in cleaning and disinfecting all shelter areas and animal equipment
• Use proper animal restraint techniques for the safety and well-being of the animal and the team
• Complete all necessary paperwork and data entry, maintaining accurate animal records
• Assist in other areas of the shelter, as needed

QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred
• At least 1 year of work experience speaking to a large group of people at one time highly preferred
• Previous work experience with evolving leadership responsibilities highly preferred
• Previous experience as a volunteer in a non-profit organization highly preferred
• At least 6 months of professional animal handling experience preferred
• At least 6 months of work experience in a team environment preferred
• At least 6 months of customer service experience preferred
• Basic knowledge of animal handling, general pet care principles, and breed identification highly preferred
• Previous cash handling experience preferred
• Must be able to effectively use computers and related technologies for various tasks, including but not limited to Gmail, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe, Canva, Volgistics, and other programs
• Must possess and maintain a current, valid driver's license and must successfully complete a motor vehicle record check

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of and ability to perform tasks on a computer using different software programs
• Ability to effectively use a keyboard, typically an average of 40-60 words per minute
• Strong oral presentation and training skills
• Strong time management skills
• Strong attention to detail and ability to focus with distractions
• Ability to guide and lead others toward goals through motivation and constructive feedback
• Ability to work with animals safely and humanely and to remain calm in stressful situations
• Effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to quickly adapt to volunteer, customer, animal, and business needs
• Ability to collaborate with others and work effectively in a team environment
• Ability to assess animal behaviors and cues
• Excellent ability to use good judgement in problem solving and decision making
• Ability to take initiative and to work with minimal supervision and direction

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

• Physical demands include extended periods of standing, walking, sitting, balancing, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, handling, grasping, and coordination with frequent lifting and carrying requirements of up to 50 lbs.
• At times, this position requires extended periods of talking, observing, and listening skills
• Work requires the ability to maintain composure, empathy, and patience in challenging or emotionally charged situations, while demonstrating strong communication skills to foster understanding and resolution
• Visual acuity and depth perception is required for safe handling of animals
• Work is occasionally performed in the small, enclosed spaces such as animal cages
• Work includes providing compassionate and dedicated care to others 
• Work requires the ability to maintain focus and composure while working under pressure, manage stress during difficult situations, and adapt quickly to resolve issues or conflicts

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Most work is performed in the shelter and animal meet and greet areas of Pet Alliance which is open and well lit, adequately ventilated, noisy and distracting environment. In addition, the kennels are subject to extremely warm temperatures during the summer months.
• The job requires moving between rooms and buildings including traveling to outside locations, which may result in increased exposure to extremes in temperature and atmospheric conditions.
• Work environment involves exposure to potential hazards such as chemicals.
• The job requires frequent and routinely intense public contact as well as the ability to multi-task under conditions that can be described as extremely fast-paced/high volume and are potentially stressful on a routine basis.
• Travel is required up to approximately 10% of the time.