Animal Services Coordinator

City of Sacramento; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Sacramento seeks an Animal Services Coordinator to oversee adoption, fostering, and rescue programs at the City shelter. The role includes staff and volunteer training, coordinating events, and collaborating with partner shelters to place animals in loving homes.

Under supervision, you will manage outreach, educate the public on pet care, and ensure humane handling and welfare in accordance with Five Freedoms. A California driver's license is required.

Qualifications

• Two (2) years full‑time experience in animal welfare.
• Experience in training staff or volunteers preferred.
• Ability to explain state/local laws and department policies.
• Proficiency in caring for and handling animals.
• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License is required at the time of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Oversees and coordinates adoptions, fostering and rescues.
• Develops procedures to increase adoptions, fostering and rescues.
• Educates families and volunteers on pet selection, care, and responsibilities.
• Interviews families and volunteers for adoption or fostering.
• Coordinates activities with other City departments and outside agencies.
• Maintains records and statistics for offsite events; reports performance measures.
• Promotes adoption and outreach through media, events, and marketing.

Skills

Dog & Cat Behavior

Customer Service

Volunteer Training

Public Outreach

Ethical Decision Making

Program Coordination

Tools

Shelter Software

Job description

With supervisor approval, incumbents may be eligible for intermittent remote work; however, they must physically reside within the Sacramento region or have the ability to regularly report to a City of Sacramento physical worksite with little notice.

The Animal Services Coordinator oversees the shelter’s behavior programs and supports the placement of animals with rescue partners and other shelters. They serve as a behavior expert, ensuring all animals experience the Five Freedoms and receive appropriate behavior modification for identified challenges. The role includes developing and maintaining staff and volunteer training to promote humane animal care. Additionally, the coordinator assists in evaluating animals for euthanasia decisions, ensuring thoughtful and ethical outcomes.

IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT

The ideal candidate will have hands‑on experience working with both dogs and cats and demonstrate a willingness to learn and work with additional species as needed. Candidates with Applied Animal Behavior certifications or degrees are strongly encouraged to apply. They will excel in customer service, possess strong networking abilities, and be comfortable delivering one‑on‑one or group training to staff, volunteers, and members of the public. The ideal candidate will also be prepared to work in an environment where euthanasia decisions occur and approach that responsibility with professionalism, compassion, and ethical judgment.

Under general supervision, the Animal Services Coordinator organizes and coordinates a variety of community outreach activities, events and programs in support of the City’s animal shelter; oversees and coordinates adoptions, fostering and/or rescues; develops, plans and implements procedures to increase adoptions, fostering, and/or rescues; assists and educates families and volunteers on pet selection, pet care, and responsibilities; interviews families and volunteers who want to adopt or foster a pet; and works with other shelters and animal organizations to place animals in specialized care. Increases awareness of the animal programs within the community by utilizing media contacts, newspapers, and promotional events; works with business managers and private community leaders to schedule marketing events to support the programs and promotion of the animal shelter.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This classification is a responsible paraprofessional position involving the coordination and administration of the pet adoption, fostering and rescue programs at offsite locations.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

• Provide onsite and offsite animal coordination and oversight.
• Confer, counsel and educate customers and volunteers on various pet breedsand City animal program policies and procedures.
• Explain state and local laws and ordinances, departmental policies and procedures, and information regarding pet ownership, licensing, adoption, fostering, rescuing and/or other animal issues to members of the public.
• Assist the public with animal adoption and fostering; collect information about animals and persons in accordance with department procedures; interview people and make decisions about the suitability for adoption, fostering, or volunteering.
• Coordinate and/or direct the selection of animals, collect necessary equipment, and arrange for transportation to offsite locations.
• Utilize appropriate websites, social media and other communication outlets to develop promotional campaigns regarding adopting, fostering and rescue programs, including activities and the need for volunteers and donations.
• Update and create volunteer opportunities for offsite community events for distribution on the shelter's automated volunteer system.
• Recruit, train and coordinate volunteer support for offsite community events.
• Facilitate and train volunteers in the areas of customer service, adoption, fostering, counseling, and safe animal handling.
• Assist in identifying grant and fundraising opportunities pertaining to adoption. fostering and rescuing.
• Maintain records and statistics for all offsite events; monitor and report results for performance measures.
• Collaborate with other agencies on jointly sponsored projects and services.
• Assist in the preparation of reports for presentation to City commissions and committees; assist in the preparation of federal/state reports; maintain files and records.
• Coordinate assigned activities and programs with other City departments and divisions, outside agencies, and service providers.
• Participate in meetings with public groups, clubs, organizations and agencies to explain, promote services offered by the animal shelter; participate in, activities and programs that encourage community participation.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co‑workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Perform related duties as required.

Knowledg e of:

• Principles, practices, and procedures used in developing and implementing pet adoption, pet fostering, and rescue programs.
• Basic techniques of project and program management.
• Pet breeds, typical dog and cat behavior.
• Basic symptoms of common animal illnesses.
• Proper methods and techniques used to care for, safely handle and restrain animals to avoid injury to persons or animals.
• Speak, read, and write English at a level necessary for effective performance.
• Basic principles of public relations, customer service and public speaking. Record keeping and reporting practices.

Skill in:

• Providing customer service.
• Modern office equipment including computers, computer applications and software.

Abilit yto:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job. Collect, compile, organize, analyze, and interpret data.
• Learn the operation of the City's animal shelter programs and software systems.
• Develop, conduct and/or coordinate adoptions and fostering, education, public relations, and outreach efforts, and organize community events.
• Implement and coordinate animal programs suited to meet the needs of the community.
• Understand, interpret, and explain program policies and procedures.
• Plan and organize work to meet deadlines and changing priorities. Exercise discretion and independent judgment.
• Perform job tasks with minimal supervision.
• Make presentations to citizen groups, employees, volunteers, etc.
• Train and supervise volunteer and non‑career personnel.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Effectively represent the City to outside individuals and agencies to accomplish the goals and objective of the unit.
• Work cooperatively with other departments, City officials and outside agencies.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Respond tactfully, clearly, concisely, and appropriately to inquiries from the public, City staff, or other agencies on issues in area of responsibility.

Experience and Training

Two (2) years full‑time experience in animal welfare, one (1) year of which must have included training, teaching, or providing animal services education.

Substitution

Successful completion of college‑level courses with major course work in psychology, sociology, business administration, public administration, marketing, communications, animal welfare or veterinary administration, or a closely related field may substitute for the experience requirement on a year‑for‑year basis. Completion of thirty (30) semester units is equivalent to one year of experience.

PROOF OF EDUCATION

Should education be used to qualify for this position, then proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment. Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.

An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credentials evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due at time of appointment.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

Driver License:

Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License is required at the time of appointment. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to physical disability will be reviewed on a case‑by‑case basis.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are typically required of an incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Work Conditions:

Must perform shift work as assigned, including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays. Overtime may also be required.

Physical Requirements:

On an intermittent basis, sit at a desk for long periods of time; stand, walk, and bend while monitoring adoption programs; squat, climb, kneel and twist intermittently when setting up various adoption events; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; may occasionally lift or carry a weight of 50 pounds or less.

Environmental Conditions:

Incumbents must be able to work in or around animal fur, dander, and excrement and deal with and protect against infectious and aggressive animals. Incumbents will travel to and participate in various events throughout the City which may involve exposure to traffic and inclement weather conditions.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD

Employees must complete twelve (12) months of probation at a satisfactory performance level prior to gaining permanent status.

Candidate’s eligibility expires one year from the date of notification of a passing score for the Animal Services Coordinator examination.