We ask that all applicants submit both a resume and a cover letter so we can get to know you better—applications without a cover letter will not be reviewed. Preferred candidates will have prior employment or volunteer experience in animal care and handling.
This position works Tuesday – Saturday from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. However, flexibility is required to work extended hours as necessary, including occasional evening or additional weekend hours for community events, meetings, and training.
Rate of pay is $21 - $23 per hour
The Animal Protective Foundation (APF) is an animal welfare organization serving the greater Capital Region since 1931. Our vision is a community where all companion animals are loved, respected, and receive exceptional care.
We also promote life-work balance and are committed to supporting all of our team members by giving them the opportunity to earn a living wage, offering generous PTO, and matching contributions to our 401(k) plan. Full-time staff are eligible for health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits.
The Volunteer and Community Engagement Coordinator (VCEC) plays a vital role in the APF’s success by recruiting, interviewing, screening, training, and supervising volunteers who are essential to our operations. This includes volunteers active in our shelter operations, spay/neuter clinic, community pet wellness clinics, special events, administrative support, and others. In addition, the VCEC oversees volunteers for community engagement programs including humane education, offsite adoption events, and other events hosted in the community.
The VCEC must be a professional, self-motivated, positive, goal-oriented, and organized individual with excellent interpersonal communication and problem-solving skills. The VCEC also implements clear guidelines for volunteers to ensure high quality animal care, excellent customer service standards, safety, and the overall success of the APF.
The VCEC organizes, plans, supervises, and oversees all aspects of the volunteer and community engagement operations including:
Volunteer Program:
- Works closely with management and staff to define, assign, and expand volunteer opportunities.
- Gains proficient knowledge of all facets of APF operations as well as standard operating procedures to successfully recruit, train, assign, and support volunteers.
- Provides orientation and training for all potential and current volunteers to ensure they are prepared to support the organization, mission, policies, and procedures.
- Regularly monitors volunteers to ensure they are upholding the APF’s safety standards and other operational practices.
- Facilitates off-site adoption events and works with the shelter team to provide training and tools for volunteers.
- Maintains volunteer database to match volunteers to appropriate jobs, which meet the needs of the APF as well as the individual. Update job assignments as necessary.
- Regularly surveys staff and volunteers to assess whether needs are being met. Provides additional training as needed so that proficiency levels are reached and maintained.
- Plans and executes volunteer recognition to ensure volunteers are recognized and rewarded in meaningful ways.
- Reviews and updates volunteer handbook, volunteer job descriptions, training materials, and other documents on a quarterly basis.
- Prepares and distributes volunteer schedules and monitors compliance by volunteers.
- Produces monthly, quarterly, and annual reports on statistics and upcoming events for the chief operating officer (COO).
- Consistently communicates with volunteers and other stakeholders through emails, newsletters, telephone, mail, and in person. This includes regular updates to all volunteers on programs, outreach events, recognition, and animal adoption news at the APF.
- Coaches volunteers and provides them with regular feedback and special guidance when required.
- Documents safety and behavioral incidents and provides reports to designated leadership.
- Organizes volunteers to transport animals, cages, and other event-related equipment to and from offsite events and media needs.
- Addresses disputes that may arise between volunteers and other stakeholders at the APF. Responsible for disciplining, up to and including termination of volunteers.
- Ensures volunteers are utilized to their fullest potential, are treated with respect, and are acknowledged for their valuable contributions to the APF.
Community Engagement/Humane Education:
- Promotes the APF to individuals and organizations in surrounding communities to foster relationships and increase volunteer engagement.
- Cultivates and maintains relationships with other volunteer organizations to maintain understanding of best practices.
- Coordinates and participates in APF special events, community outreach, adoption events, community pet wellness clinics, and tabling events throughout the year, including organizing volunteer support and building community relationships.
- Proactively engages school communities, service organizations, neighborhood leaders, and local businesses to heighten the image of the APF and gain new volunteers as well as build lasting and reciprocal relationships with the community partners.
- Works to create and host humane education classes on site as well as in the school system.
- Host local school and scout troops for onsite reading groups, as well as conducting comprehensive shelter tours as needed.
- Represents the APF as needed through speaking engagements, shelter tours, and other outreach activities.
Education and Experience: The successful candidates will have an associates-level degree or equivalent working experience such as supervising volunteer programs. Must have the ability to problem solve, be self-motivated, and have leadership qualities to build and supervise diverse teams. The ability to represent the APF in public settings is essential.
Knowledge: Must be proficient with computer applications including volunteer/customer databases, internet use, and Microsoft Office Suite. Must have excellent written and public speaking skills.
Skills: Must possess strong interpersonal communication and team building skills to effectively recruit and supervise a diverse corps of volunteers. Requires excellent customer service skills. Must be able to manage a budget. Needs to be highly organized and be able to effectively meet deadlines.
