Volunteer Coordinator

Best Friends Animal Society•Kanab, UT

22h•Onsite

About The Position

People come from all over the world to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary to engage with our animals, staff and learn more about our life saving work. The Dogtown Volunteer Coordinator is part of the team who is often the first impression of Best Friends. They coordinate the activities of our volunteers and act as a liaison working to ensure that everyone has an exceptional Sanctuary experience. Our Volunteer Coordinators thoroughly demonstrate an understanding of the link between Best Friends’ culture and mission, and the important role it plays in helping to inspire and influence volunteers to continue in our lifesaving work to Save Them All. We believe in treating everyone with kindness and compassion, building trust through authenticity, and following through on commitments. We prioritize well-being alongside our mission, fostering strong relationships through open communication and transparent feedback. Diversity and inclusion are integral to our culture, enriching team dynamics by valuing diverse perspectives. Each team member is responsible for creating an inclusive environment where all voices are respected and contributing to a workplace that embodies our shared values and commitment to progress. By consistently aligning our actions with our Guiding Principles, we strengthen our culture and ensure that our values are lived every day.

Requirements

Minimum of 2 years customer service experience in a public facing role.
High level of interpersonal skills, team player, personable, professional, and able to get along with people from different backgrounds, as well as the ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations with tact and diplomacy.
Ability to listen to volunteer concerns with empathy.
Discretion and confidentiality are a must.
Ability to make sound judgments, work independently in a fast-paced environment, and multi-task.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Outstanding organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to advocate for Best Friends’ position on various issues.
Prior knowledge or willingness to learn basic dog handling skills and behavior knowledge.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel and Outlook; familiarity with shelter software/volunteer management software, or desire to learn.
Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.
Perform repetitive tasks for extended periods of time including typing, sitting, walking, arm, and hand motion.
Work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions including extreme heat and cold.
Periodic handling and daily exposure to dogs of all sizes, temperaments, and medical status.
Daily hours and days of the week may vary according to the needs of the department: can include weekends, evenings, and holidays.
Must have a valid driver's license for at least 3 years, the ability to qualify to be added to Best Friends insurance.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with volunteers or in the tourism industry is a plus.

Responsibilities

Greet volunteers in Dogtown HQ and ensure that they are properly registered and have viewed required safety videos.
Maintain all forms and supplies needed for volunteers.
Provide volunteers with all the equipment and materials needed for their assignment.
Manage dog sleepover program; check in/out dogs, providing volunteers with supplies and information.
Accurately track sleepover metrics for monthly reporting.
Coordinate volunteer assignment locations and work with Dogtown staff to keep volunteers engaged with meaningful tasks.
Check in with volunteers on a regular basis to ensure that they are having a rewarding visit.
Answer volunteer questions and/or concerns and provide guidance as needed.
Provide special tours of the department as requested.
Partner with Dogtown staff to determine needs or problems.
Report issues and recommendations to Volunteer Engagement Manager.
Be knowledgeable and informed regarding current trends and materials about animal welfare.
Keep up with relevant information about Best Friends as well as the animals in our care (i.e. adoptions, special needs, behavior, etc).
Complete dog behavior training and model appropriate dog handling techniques.
Periodically assist with feeding, medicating, walking, and interacting with office dogs.
Collaborate with other departments and divisions to ensure that volunteer policies and procedures support the Best Friends Strategic Plan.
This includes monthly meetings with the companywide Volunteer Engagement Team as well as periodic meetings with the Visitor and Community Engagement Team.
Assist in the management of the Local Volunteer program and Gold Star Volunteer program.
Assist with sourcing content for monthly newsletters.
Learn and master all aspects of the volunteer management system (Digital Cheetah) and shelter operations software (ShelterLuv), as necessary for the role.
Provide support for Sanctuary visitor engagement activities such as Discovery Weekend, Friends & Founders, and Running a Lifesaving Sanctuary; as well as occasional off-site activities such as adoption promotions or other community events.
This may include representing the Sanctuary Volunteer Engagement Team at non-local events such as Super Adoption, BF National Conference, Navajo Nation clinics, or other promotional events.
Work with leadership to continuously improve visitor and volunteer engagement experience.
Work across departments to identify new opportunities, develop engagement strategies, and evaluate success.
Deliver superior customer service in every interaction (phone, email, and in-person) with volunteers, visitors and other Sanctuary guests and staff in a friendly, informative, and professional manner.
Other duties as assigned.