Outcomes and Volunteer Coordinator

Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County•Athens, GA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The purpose of this job is to facilitate and supervise the volunteer program within the Animal Services Department and to coordinate the programs and activities that increase live outcomes for shelter animals. Duties include but are not limited to: assessing volunteer program needs; training, supervising, supporting, and scheduling both new and existing volunteers; coordinating events; and supporting the increase of live outcomes through adoptions, rescue and transport partnerships. This role is also responsible for handling animals, groups, and facility tours, promoting adoptable animals, and performing additional duties as assigned.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required
One year of customer service, coordinating (events and/or people), volunteer support or management, and animal handling or animal welfare or related experience required.
Valid Driver's license required.
Criminal background must indicate eligibility for the supervision of inmates.
Must obtain security training for the supervision of inmate workers as set forth by the Georgia Department of Corrections Standard Operating Procedures within six months of the date of hire or first available opportunity.
Ability to apply proper animal handling skills, basic medical knowledge, and knowledge of individual animal temperament.
Knowledge of shelter live-outcome practices, including adoption, foster, and rescue or transport programs.
Ability to work independently, balance multiple projects, and meet deadlines.
Strong interpersonal, organizational, written, and communication skills to be used with people across a variety of skill levels, backgrounds, and perspectives.
Ability to work with volunteers, community partners, and co-workers in a professional manner.
Ability to speak and present information publicly and transparently on behalf of the Department and the Department's mission.
Knowledge of the terminology used within the department.
Knowledge of and ability to use computer and database software.
Ability to show leadership with individuals and groups.
Ability to use independent judgment in routine and non-routine situations.
Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize daily assignments and work activities.
Ability to comprehend and apply regulations and procedures of the department.
Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently.
Must be able to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, animals, or things.
Must be able to speak and/or signal people and/or animals to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving assignments from co-workers, assistants, volunteers or supervisors.
Must be able to read a variety of forms, informational documentation, directions, methods, or procedures.
Must be able to complete reports, forms, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style.
Must be able to speak to people with poise, voice control, and confidence.
Must be able to learn and understand basic principles and techniques; to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation; and to make independent judgment in the absence of management.
Must be able to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, and to follow oral and written instructions.
Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of administrative, technical, or professional languages including veterinary.
Must be able to translate technical language into lay terms for volunteers.
Must be able to utilize mathematical formulas; add and subtract totals; and multiply and divide.
Must be able to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape, visually with various animal control devices and office equipment.
Must be able to coordinate hands and eyes in using animal control or office equipment or in performing tasks.
Must have the ability to handle a variety of items such as animal control devices and office equipment.
Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities.
Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
May require the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.
Must be able to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.
Must be adaptable to performing under moderate stress when confronted with an emergency.
Must be adaptable to managing conflict on a routine basis.
Must be adaptable to coping with the grief associated with animal euthanasia.
Must be able to talk and/or hear: (Talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words). (Hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear).

Nice To Haves

Supervisory experience
Marketing experience
Training experience
Experience supporting shelter live-outcome programs — such as adoptions, foster, and rescue or transport partnerships — is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provides proper onboarding and training for all volunteers (Excluding foster), including reviewing volunteers to ensure they demonstrate safe animal-handling techniques and review safety rules, as well as developing and maintaining volunteer logbooks, literature, and advertising materials.
Provides leadership, direction, and guidance in conducting the day-to-day functions of programs and services as they relate to all Animal Services volunteer programs.
Supervises volunteers while at the shelter to maintain safety and compliance with the volunteer guidelines, and ensures that volunteer activities do not interfere with, and are tailored to support, normal operations.
Identifies and coordinates volunteer needs for all volunteer programs, and provides operational support in conjunction with other staff and department teams.
Assists with special events, such as on- and off-site outreach and adoption events, by recruiting, training, and supervising volunteers.
Coordinates scheduling of groups, breaking large groups into smaller ones, and ensures only a safe and manageable number of volunteers at the shelter at any given time.
Attends appropriate volunteer recruitment events and interfaces with the community to engage, recruit, assist, and onboard residents as potential volunteers and supporters.
Maintains an internal labeling system tailored to ensure safer animal handling for staff, volunteers, and animals.
Accurately enters and maintains volunteer information, and maintains accurate, up-to-date information in PetPoint and any existing volunteer management database as it relates to community program participants.
Manages the Doggie Day Out, Jail Dog Program, and other programs as assigned.
Communicates with volunteers in a timely and professional manner, which may include time outside of normal business hours, and communicates clear directions about after-hours events and activities.
Responds to inquiries and messages about all volunteer programs, and works with the public, staff, and volunteers to address any complaints or issues.
Supervises inmate labor, as well as supervises and assigns work to Community Service Workers.
Supports the increase of live outcomes for the shelter through adoptions, rescue and transport partnerships, strengthening core programs and building sustainable processes.
Works alongside the Foster Coordinator for foster placement and return.
Assists in planning, promoting, and facilitating on-site and off-site adoption events, collaborating with staff and local partners to coordinate logistics, including scheduling, animal selection, volunteer assignments, marketing, and setup.
Supports matchmaking between adopters and animals by engaging with potential adopters to understand their needs, preferences, and lifestyle, and offers resources to ensure adopters feel confident and prepared, contributing to successful placements and reduced returns.
Assist with recruiting, onboarding, and supporting foster caregivers by identifying and engaging potential foster caregivers through outreach and in-person conversations, and assist with application reviews, training, and resource distribution.
Strengthens communication with partner rescues and transport organizations by contacting existing rescue and transport partners to identify placement opportunities, and shares detailed information on animals in need, including photos, medical and behavioral notes, and timelines.
Develops and sustains relationships with new partners by providing professional, timely, and transparent communication.
Prepares animals for transport by coordinating with staff to ensure animals selected for transport are medically and behaviorally cleared, have all required documentation, and are safely kenneled and labeled, and assists with pre-transport logistics.
Assists with taking quality photos and writing engaging, accurate pet bios to help promote adoptable animals across shelter platforms and social media.
Works alongside the leadership team, foster coordinator, and staff to develop and implement new, sustainable programs that align with the Animal Services strategic plan.
Maintains departmental reports, spreadsheets, and other data as required.
Performs other duties as assigned.