Community Outreach Assistant

Young-Williams Animal Center; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

Young-Williams Animal Center in Knoxville, TN seeks a hands-on team member to lift and organize supplies, assist families with pet resources, and help with community events. You will interact with diverse communities, restrain animals as needed, and log services with clinic software.

This role emphasizes reliability, initiative, and practical animal-care skills in a fast-paced shelter environment.

Qualifications

• Active, reliable, and ready to work with their hands.
• Great at talking to strangers — friendly & nonjudgmental
• Able to communicate with diverse communities — bilingual in Spanish is a major plus
• A problem-solver who takes initiative
• Comfortable driving vans/pickups and navigating local routes (must be over 25)
• Proficient with computers, clinic software, Excel & Word

Responsibilities

• Lift, move, and organize supplies
• Setup/break down tents, tables and equipment
• Assist families with pet resources and information
• Support pet food distribution and community resource events
• Restrain dogs and cats using Fear Free Shelter techniques
• Use computer programs (clinic software, Excel, Word) to log services
• Take initiative - you see what needs to be done and do it

Skills

Reliability

Communication

Spanish bilingual

Problem solving

Driving

Computer skills

Tools

Clinic software

Excel & Word

Job description

JOIN THE TEAM THAT LEADS THE REGION IN ANIMAL WELFARE

WHY YOUNG-WILLIAMS?

Because we’re not just another shelter — we’re the powerhouse of animal welfare in Tennessee.

• One of the largest animal shelters in the Southeast
• We run animal services for the City of Knoxville & Knox County
• We take in more than 10,000 animals every year

• A community force, serving thousands of animals and local families every year
• Leaders in innovative programs that keep pets with their families
• A mission-driven team that works hard, supports each other, and gets the job done

If you want to be part of an organization that actually moves the needle for animals and the people who love them, this is where you belong.

WE’RE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO IS….

• Active, reliable, and ready to work with their hands
• Comfortable lifting up to 50 lbs. and restraining dogs and cats for exams
• Great at talking to strangers — friendly & nonjudgmental
• Able to communicate with diverse communities — bilingual in Spanish is a major plus
• Passionate about helping people and their pets
• A problem-solver who takes initiative
• Comfortable driving vans/pickups and navigating local routes (must be over 25)
• Proficient with computers, clinic software, Excel & Word

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Lift, move, and organize supplies
• Setup/break down tents, tables and equipment
• Assist families with pet resources and information
• Support pet food distribution and community resource events
• Restrain dogs and cats using Fear Free Shelter techniques
• Use computer programs (clinic software, Excel, Word) to log services
• Take initiative - you see what needs to be done and do it

WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT

• Active, hands-on work — no two days are the same
• Real-world problem solving
• You’ll work in all kinds of environments — indoors, outdoors, in the warehouse, and vet clinic settings
• A real sense of purpose — knowing your work makes life better for people and their pets
• Develop practical skills in outreach, animal handling, and the logistics of getting critical resources to the animals that need them most