Animal Services Manager - Volunteer Services Program

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

Job summary

The County of Riverside in California seeks an experienced Animal Services Manager to oversee volunteer programs, foster initiatives, and outreach across Riverside County shelters. You will lead volunteer recruitment, training, scheduling, and records; collaborate with schools, law enforcement, and private partners; and manage budgets and inventory to support adoption efforts.

A bachelor’s degree and at least one year of supervisory experience in animal care or humane organizations are required,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, public administration, healthcare, zoology, biology, veterinarian medicine, or related field.
• One year lead or supervisory experience overseeing volunteer programs in animal care or humane organizations.
• Experience coordinating administrative/operational duties including budgetary planning, regulatory compliance, supervision, or community relations.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and coordinate the volunteer program and activities.
• Liaise with volunteers, local agencies, and divisions; maintain communication with management and staff.
• Develop procedures and policies for the volunteer program ensuring compliance with regulations.
• Contribute to policy development within Volunteer program and related divisions.
• Promote animal services through community relations and education programs.
• Work with communications team to support marketing and outreach for volunteers.
• Coordinate budget planning and manage volunteer services funding and events.
• Oversee inventory of volunteer items and supplies.
• Oversee multiple department programs including Volunteer, Foster, Adoptions and Education.
• Monitor legislation impacting operations and implement necessary adjustments.
• Ensure volunteers adhere to policies and social media guidelines.

Skills

Volunteer management

Budget planning

Supervision

Community relations

Public administration

Communication

Event coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/public administration or related field

Tools

Volgistics

Shelter information systems

Job description

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.

Competitive Candidate Qualities

• 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.

Education and Experience

Option I: 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.

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.

Additional Information

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.

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.