Animal Services Manager - Volunteer Services Program

County-of-Riverside; Jurupa Valley (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Riverside County Department of Animal Services in Jurupa Valley seeks an Animal Services Manager to lead the Volunteer Services Program. You will manage ~800 volunteers across county shelters and support the foster program at Jurupa Valley Animal Shelter.

Responsibilities include developing procedures, planning budgets, supervising volunteers, and collaborating with schools, law enforcement, and community groups to promote adoption and humane education.

Qualifications

• One year of lead or supervisory experience overseeing volunteer programs.
• Experience coordinating administrative and/or operational duties in a public setting.
• Experience with volunteer programs in animal care or humane organizations.
• Knowledge of budget development and reporting requirements.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, direct, evaluate, and coordinate the volunteer program and related activities.
• Develop procedures, policies, and best practices for the volunteer program and ensure compliance.
• Coordinate preparation and management of budget for volunteer services and events.
• Oversee operations of volunteer, foster, and related animal services programs.
• Promote animal services through community relations and educational programs.
• Work with communications team to support marketing and social media for volunteers and adoptions.
• Monitor compliance with standards and regulations for animal control and volunteer activities.
• Recruit, interview, train, motivate, evaluate, and manage staff and volunteers.

Skills

Volunteer management

Community outreach

Staff supervision

Budget oversight

Public relations

Volunteer recruitment

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/public administration/biology/healthcare

Tools

Volgistics

Job description

The Riverside County Department of Animal Services is currently seeking an Animal Services Manager to support the Volunteer Services Program at the Jurupa Valley location. This position will manage approximately 800 active volunteers across all Riverside County shelter locations and support the foster program at the Jurupa Valley Animal Shelter.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan, organize, direct, evaluate, and coordinate the volunteer program and related activities; act as a liaison for volunteers, local agencies, and other divisions; maintain communication with management, other divisions, staff, customers, and volunteers; collaborate with Animal Services staff and leadership to support animal outcomes and adoption initiatives through volunteer services.
• Develop and promote effective relationships with volunteers, other agencies and County departments, local and humane agencies and community organizations; provide expertise, consultation and assistance to department personnel and community members; interview, train, motivate, evaluate, and manage subordinate staff and volunteers.
• Develop procedures, policies, and best practices for the volunteer program and/or operations ensuring compliance with federal, state, and department requirements; establish measurements and reporting mechanisms.
• Contribute to the development of policies and procedures within the Volunteer program, Foster Program, Veterinary Services, Community Outreach and Education, Shelter Services, Fiscal, or the Employee Resources Division.
• Promote animal services through community relations with civic, governmental, and private groups; coordinate educational programs with schools, law enforcement, media, and other organizations.
• Work with Department communications team to support marketing and social media efforts related to volunteer recruitment, engagement, and adoption promotion.
• Coordinate the preparation and management of budget planning related to volunteer services, supplies, and events. Identify and implement opportunities for improvement to Volunteer Programs; make recommendations for the transfer of funds; review financial data on an on-going basis to ensure conformance with established guidelines.
• Oversight of all ordering and inventory for volunteer items to support applicable events.
• Oversee departmental programs including, but not limited to Volunteer, Foster, Rabies Control, Behavior Assessment, Adoptions, Education, Cruelty Task Force, and Pet Overpopulation Coalition (POPCO).
• Review present and pending legislation to determine effect on operations and programs; keep informed on new developments in animal control methods, equipment, facilities and regulations, and recommend and implement adjustments as necessary.
• Monitor work for adherence to professional and mandated standards regarding animal control regulations, euthanasia, and zoonotic disease prevention.
• Responsible for overseeing volunteer activities; addressing volunteer conduct, performance, and communication concerns; and ensuring volunteers adhere to departmental policies and established standards, including applicable social media guidelines.

In addition to the minimum requirements, the most competitive candidates will possess:

• Volunteer services operations experience, including recruitment, screening, onboarding, training, scheduling, engagement activities, recognition programs, and volunteer record-keeping.
• Familiarity with volunteer services principles and best practices, including recruitment, screening, onboarding, training, scheduling, engagement, addressing volunteer conduct, performance, communication concerns, recognition, and retention.
• Experience with volunteer program development, coordination, and evaluation, including tracking volunteer hours, outcomes, and program effectiveness.
• Experience with volunteer management systems such as Volgistics, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements.
• Familiarity with volunteer risk management, safety protocols, and applicable policies and procedures.
• Experience with community outreach, volunteer engagement strategies, and partnership-building with community groups and organizations.
• Experience supervising, motivating, and providing guidance to volunteers in a fast-paced, public-facing environment.
• Experience working with shelters and volunteer program planning.
• Experience recruiting and coordinating staff and/or volunteers.
• Strong and friendly customer service experience in a fast-paced environment.

The incumbent may be required to work irregular schedules including weekends, evenings, overtime, and holidays.

This class has been designated At-Will by the Board of Supervisors, in accordance with the provisions provided under Article 6, Section 601E (8) of the County Management Resolution and serves at the pleasure of the Animal Services Director.

This class has been deemed eligible for the Performance Recognition Plan as set forth under Article 3, Section 311 of the County Management Resolution. Program eligibility requires employees to be in a leadership position, manage other employees or programs, and have significant influence on the achievement of organizational objectives.

Meet the Team!

The Riverside County Department of Animal Services has a vision for promoting an environment of responsible pet ownership through progressive animal welfare initiatives, community outreach, and humane education in a culture of compassion, creativity, and integrity. The Department of Animal Services believes the character of their organization is best reflected in the strong dedication of each one of their employees who strive to meet the highest standards of performance and compassion on behalf of the animals and people that they serve.

The Department of Animal Services operates four shelters located in Blythe, Jurupa Valley, San Jacinto, and Thousand Palms.

• Plan, organize, direct, evaluate, and coordinate programs and services; act as a liaison to local agencies and other divisions; maintain communication with management, other divisions, staff, and customers.
• Develop procedures and policies for field, clinic and/or office operations ensuring compliance with federal, state and department requirements; establish measurements and reporting mechanisms.
• Develop and promote effective relationships with other agencies and County departments, local and humane agencies and community organizations; provide expertise, consultation and assistance to department personnel and community members; interview, hire, train, motivate, evaluate, and manage subordinate staff.
• Contribute to the development of policies and procedures within Veterinary Services, Community Outreach and Education, Shelter Services, Fiscal, or the Employee Resources Division.
• Coordinate the preparation and management of a division and/or budget; analyze the need for budget items requested to determine if items are justifiable based on program objectives and priorities; make recommendations for the transfer of funds; review financial data on an on-going basis to ensure conformance with established guidelines.
• May oversee departmental programs including, but not limited to Rabies Control, Behavior Assessment, Adoptions, Education, Cruelty Task Force, and Pet Overpopulation Coalition (POPCO).
• Review present and pending legislation to determine effect on operations and programs; keep informed on new developments in animal control methods, equipment, facilities and regulations, and recommend and implement adjustments as necessary.
• Monitor work for adherence to professional and mandated standards regarding animal control regulations, euthanasia, and zoonotic disease prevention.

Education:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree, preferably with a major in business or public administration, healthcare, zoology, biology, veterinarian medicine, or a closely related field to the assignment.

Additional qualifying experience may substitute for the required education on the basis of one year of full-time experience equaling 30 semester or 45 quarter units of the required education.

Experience:

One year of coordinating administrative and/or operational duties including at least two of the following: budgetary planning, regulatory compliance, supervision, or community relations in a public or private organization. Experience to include one year of lead or supervisory experience responsible for overseeing volunteer programs in an animal care and control or humane organization.

OPTION II

Education:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree, preferably with a major in business or public administration, healthcare, zoology, biology, veterinarian medicine, or a closely related field to the assignment.

Additional qualifying experience may substitute for the required education on the basis of one year of full-time experience equaling 30 semester or 45 quarter units of the required education.

Experience:

Three years in the care and treatment of small animals under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian at a veterinary clinic or small animal hospital, which must have included at least one year in a lead or supervisory capacity overseeing volunteer programs in an animal care and control or humane organization.

ALL OPTIONS

Experience:

One year of lead or supervisory experience responsible for overseeing volunteer programs in an animal care and control or humane organization.

Knowledge of:

The principles of management and public administration; supervisory principles and practices related to the selection, training, direction, motivation, and evaluation of subordinates and conflict intervention; policies and procedures used in budget preparation, justification, monitoring, and reporting; state and local laws, regulations, codes, and ordinances pertaining to the control and welfare of animals; methods and practices for maintenance of clean and humane conditions for impounded animals; laws, regulations, ordinances, and procedures pertaining to the investigation of cruelty of animals; procedures for the apprehension, custody, quarantine, and transportation of animals; enforcement techniques used in animal control work; symptoms of rabies and other common zoologic diseases; vector habitat and the environmental and habitat needs of wildlife.

Ability to:

Manage and direct divisional activities; communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships; work effectively with public and private partners and customers and effectively interact with personnel at all organizational levels; train, supervise and motivate subordinates in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale; make sound recommendations and effective presentations of information, findings and recommendations; prioritize tasks and work well under pressure and impending deadlines; use shelter information systems.

Other Requirements

License: Possession of a valid California Driver’s License is required. This position involves travel to various Animal Services locations throughout Riverside County to oversee volunteer programs, attend meetings, and attend adoption events.

Physical/Environmental Conditions/Requirements

The Animal Services Manager may be exposed to animals, animal dander, and/or animal bodily fluids.

General Information

If you have any questions regarding this posting, please contact Vanessa Diaz Beaird at [e-mail] or [phone]. Please allow 1-2 business days for a response to general inquiries.