Shelter to Service Specialist

Joybound People & Pets•Walnut Creek, CA

4d•$30 - $32•Onsite

About The Position

The Shelter to Service Specialist evaluates and selects animals for assistance dog and emotional support roles, manages candidates throughout the selection process, and collaborates with volunteer foster trainers and shelter partners. The Specialist conducts behavioral assessments, documents findings, advises on candidate progression, and supports animal health, wellness, and behavior management. The role also supports the Emotional Support Animal (ESA) program, including application review, applicant communication, appointments, adoption counseling, and adopter follow-up. The Specialist assists with psychiatric service dog (PSD) classes on- and offsite and supports volunteer recruitment and training. This is a full-time, non-exempt, onsite position requiring at least 40 hours per week; hours and workdays may vary with departmental needs, and occasional evening or weekend work may be required.

Requirements

Experience handling and assessing dog and cat behavior safely and humanely.
Knowledge of shelter-related illnesses and treatments.
Skills in customer service, interpersonal communication, conflict resolution, and partnership building.
Commitment to forming, supporting, elevating, and celebrating the human-animal bond.
Ability to work onsite at least 40 hours per week, with hours and workdays varying according to departmental needs and occasional evening or weekend work.
Ability to comply with departmental and organizational policies, procedures, safety protocols, and required PPE use.
Ability to lift and move objects and animals weighing up to 50 pounds for short distances and to humanely restrain animals when necessary.
Ability to kneel, bend, stoop, squat, reach, grasp and turn objects, and stand or walk frequently and repetitively throughout each shift.
Tetanus and rabies inoculations required, or must be waived.
Ability to push or pull moderately heavy objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
Ability to walk dogs weighing up to 150 pounds in varied weather conditions.
Ability to work outdoors in sun, wind, rain, and other elements for up to 75% of shifts.
Ability to assess animals visually, audibly, and through other techniques, and dexterity to handle animals and small objects.
Ability to sit for long and short periods while using a computer.
Valid California Driver’s License; no more than two at-fault incidents in a three-year period and no major at-fault violations in the last ten years; and must be insured.
Ability to become an authorized driver.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated knowledge of and prior experience with positive-reinforcement training; this experience is preferred.
Priority given to candidates with certifications from nationally recognized programs such as CCPDT, IAABC, or Karen Pryor Academy.
Previous experience with adoption counseling is a plus.

Responsibilities

Manage candidate animals, assess eligibility, and determine appropriate program pathways.
Gather observations, conduct behavioral and temperament assessments, document results, and communicate animals’ potential suitability for assistance dog or emotional support roles.
Travel regularly to animal shelters with Admissions to assess potential candidates for Joybound and the Shelter to Service program.
Conduct or assist trainers with onsite assessments of recent dog and cat ESA and PSD candidates.
Maintain detailed records of potential program candidates.
Transport animals according to Joybound protocols, clean and maintain Joybound vehicles, and oversee the Shelter to Service vehicle calendar.
Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with source shelter partners and serve as a primary contact for potential dog referrals.
Communicate with other departments about the Shelter to Service animal population, animal admissions, appointments, and foster updates.
Help develop and refine protocols, SOPs, manuals, handouts, and video trainings related to temperament assessment, the ESA program, and volunteer foster training.
Review, process, and assess ESA applications and maintain an active applicant waitlist.
Arrange ESA animal showings, provide adoption counseling, process adoptions, and conduct follow-up communication and in-person or phone training with adopters.
Support the Foster Department with onboarding and training new volunteer foster trainers, and provide ongoing guidance, resources, and support to them.
Track Shelter to Service foster volunteer hours and match selected dogs with volunteer foster trainers.
Coordinate foster dog placements, including pickup and drop-off schedules, clinic and grooming appointments, and supplies.
Perform Shelter to Service cleaning duties, including kennel cleaning, as needed.
Assist Shelter to Service trainers with onsite PSD classes.
Collaborate with Shelter to Service Trainers to oversee candidate health, wellness, and behavior management.
Oversee onsite departmental volunteers in coordination with Shelter to Service staff.
Participate in events supporting and promoting recruitment of prospective program volunteers and participants.
Perform other duties as assigned.