Animal Services Coordinator (Animal Care Administration)

City of Sacramento; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Sacramento is seeking an Animal Services Coordinator to lead volunteer programs, coordinate adoptions, fostering and rescue activities, and support community outreach for the city’s animal shelter. The role emphasizes teamwork with a second coordinator and a focus on positive volunteer experiences.

The ideal candidate has shelter experience and strong written communication skills, with the ability to enforce policies while remaining customer-focused.

Qualifications

• Experience in municipal animal sheltering is preferred.
• Strong background working with volunteers, including direct volunteer participation.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Attention to detail, reliability, and professionalism are essential.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate onboarding and scheduling of volunteers for shelter and offsite events.
• Oversee adoptions, fostering, and rescues; develop procedures to increase placements.
• Educate families and volunteers on pet care, selection, and responsibilities.
• Collaborate with shelters and organizations to promote programs and events.
• Maintain records and reports for performance measures and compliance.

Skills

Volunteer management

Customer service

Event planning

Interpersonal communication

Education

College coursework in psychology or public administration

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Volunteer management software

MS Office

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 serves as one of two Volunteer Coordinators responsible for recruiting, onboarding, and organizing individual volunteers, group volunteer activities, and tabling events. This position manages volunteer engagement and ensures efficient and welcoming experience for all participants. In partnership with the second Volunteer Coordinator, shared duties include scheduling, enforcing conduct standards, maintaining clear communication, and supporting outreach and event activities. Together, both coordinators help build a reliable and well-trained volunteer team that supports the shelter’s mission and daily operations.

The ideal candidate will preferably have experience in municipal animal sheltering and a strong background working with volunteers, including direct volunteer participation. They will be comfortable working with animals in a shelter setting and demonstrate excellent interpersonal and written communication skills. Attention to detail, reliability, and professionalism are essential for success in this role. The ideal candidate will also be patient, motivational, and capable of enforcing shelter policies effectively. A collaborative approach and commitment to creating a positive volunteer experience is highly valued.

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

Receives general supervision from assigned management staff. May exercise direct supervision over non-career staff and volunteers. The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all the listed duties and/or may be required to perform related duties as needed.

• 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.

KNOWLEDGE 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.

ABILITY TO:

• 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.

DRIVER LICENSE

Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License at the time of appointment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

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.