Community Outreach Associate

County of Santa Barbar; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 66,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bilingual allowance

Job summary

County of Santa Barbara Health's Animal Services division seeks a Community Outreach Associate to engage residents, provide education, and expand access to services across the county. The role supports owner-surrender prevention, pet food assistance, licensing, and community canvassing, coordinating with partners and volunteers.

You will work independently and with staff to build relationships, supervise volunteers, and develop programs that keep pets with families while improving public health

Qualifications

• Two years of experience in customer service or community-facing work.
• Two years of experience with an animal welfare organization or related program.
• Two years of experience leading volunteers or coordinating community groups.
• Experience planning, implementing, and evaluating programs or projects.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and databases.
• Fluency in Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and conduct community education, outreach events, workshops, and clinics.
• Coordinate programs to support pet owners, including surrender prevention and diversion.
• Conduct canvassing to increase licensing, microchip placement, and vaccination access.
• Provide case management, resource navigation, and follow-up with residents.
• Recruit, train, and supervise volunteers assisting with outreach and events.
• Build relationships with community organizations and public agencies.

Skills

Customer service

Community-facing experience

Volunteer leadership

Program planning & evaluation

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Databases

Spanish language

Education

Two-year college coursework

Driver's license (CA)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Databases

Job description

SALARY

$31.60 - $37.76 Hourly
$65,728.00 - $78,534.56 Annually
Bilingual allowance, when applicable

Are you passionate about helping animals and connecting community members with vital services? Join our Animal Services team and help improve the lives of pets and the people who care for them.

As a Community Outreach Associate, you will engage directly with residents, provide public education, and help expand access to services throughout Santa Barbara County. This position coordinates programs related to owner surrender prevention and diversion, pet food assistance, licensing, community canvassing, humane trapping, and pet-owner support. The Community Outreach Associate also leads volunteer teams, builds relationships with community partners, and helps identify practical solutions that keep pets safe, healthy, and with the people who love them.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, community-minded problem solver who can build trust, work collaboratively, and adapt to a dynamic, fast-paced environment. This is an opportunity to join a mission-driven team and make a meaningful difference for animals and families every day.

We are accepting applications to fill one (1) full-time, 1414* Community Outreach Associate position in the Animal Services division at County of Santa Barbara Health. The incumbent will homebase at the Santa Maria Animal Shelter but will be expected to travel throughout the county.

The County classification for this role is Health Education Associate.

*CSR 1414 (Leave of Absence): This recruitment is to fill a position vacated as a result of a leave of absence (CSR 1414) and the duration of the appointment shall be subject to the return of the individual who is on leave. A person who is appointed to a position under CSR 1414 may be able to transition into a regular position in the classification without re-application or re-testing, depending on the performance of the appointee and the needs of the department.

We are also accepting applications to establish one employment list that will be used to fill current and future Full-Time, Part-Time, Extra Help and 1414* vacancies in multiple locations including Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc. Animal Services has shelters in Santa Barbara, Lompoc, and Santa Maria, and this position can be home-based at any of those locations. However, applicants must be willing to travel to and work at all three shelters. To be considered, all applicants must check "ALL LOCATIONS" in the location section of the application.

Visa Sponsorship: Please note this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.

Benefits: The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits. In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:

• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate

CSR 1414 Benefit Information: The 1414 position is eligible for full-time benefits.

THE POSITION

The Community Outreach Associate works at the intersection of public health, animal welfare, and community support, bringing a holistic approach to help pets and the people who care for them. Through public education, outreach events, and preventive care programs, the Community Outreach Associate helps reduce the spread of diseases such as rabies, distemper, parvovirus, panleukopenia, and rabbit hemorrhagic disease. The position also works to increase pet licensing compliance, microchip placement and registration, vaccination access, and awareness of available animal services.

The Community Outreach Associate develops and implements strategies that help pets remain safely with their families. This may include coordinating pet resource centers, vaccine and spay/neuter clinics, community canvassing, educational materials, media outreach, and partnerships with public agencies and community organizations.

This position works independently and collaboratively with Animal Control Officers, animal care staff, volunteers, veterinary staff, shelter leadership, and partner organizations. Responsibilities may also include pet-owner case management, disaster preparedness and response, and connecting residents with resources that address barriers to responsible pet care.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE will possess:

• An understanding of the human-animal bond and the barriers that may affect a family’s ability to care for a pet.
• Two or more years of experience in customer service or community-facing experience.
• Two or more years of experience working or volunteering with an animal welfare organization, animal shelter, veterinary clinic, public health agency, social-service organization, or related program.
• Two or more years of experience leading volunteers, coaching teams, coordinating community groups, or supervising staff
• Demonstrated experience planning, implementing, and evaluating programs or projects
• Experience using Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, databases, or similar software systems.
• The ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and adapt to a dynamic environment.
• Fluency in Spanish, including speaking, reading, and writing, which is highly desirable.

• Plans, coordinates, and conducts community education, outreach events, orientations, workshops, clinics, and demonstrations related to animal health, responsible pet care, licensing, disaster preparedness, and available community resources.
• Coordinates programs that support pet owners and help animals remain safely with their families, including owner-surrender prevention and diversion, pet food assistance, vaccination and microchip clinics, spay and neuter services, humane trapping, and referrals to community resources.
• Conducts community canvassing and other outreach activities to increase pet licensing, microchip placement and registration, vaccination access, and awareness of Animal Services programs
• Provides individualized support and case management to pet owners by assessing needs, identifying available resources, developing practical service plans, documenting contacts, and following up as appropriate.
• Recruits, trains, schedules, leads, and supports volunteers assisting with outreach, events, clinics, pet resource programs, canvassing, and other assigned activities.
• Establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with community organizations, public agencies, veterinary providers, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and professional groups to support the development and delivery of animal health and community-assistance programs.
• Assists with planning and operating vaccine clinics, spay and neuter clinics, pet resource centers, licensing events, and other public-facing services.
• Collects, enters, analyzes, and reports program data to evaluate participation, outcomes, community needs, and the effectiveness of outreach strategies and educational materials.
• Conducts surveys, reviews community data, and gathers feedback from residents, staff, volunteers, and partner organizations to identify service gaps and inform program development.
• Maintains accurate written and electronic records, including participant information, referrals, case notes, licensing activity, inventory, volunteer participation, program outcomes, and service statistics.
• Assists with media outreach and communication strategies that promote public health, responsible pet ownership, available services, and Animal Services programs.
• Works closely with Animal Control Officers, animal care staff, veterinary staff, volunteers, shelter leadership, and partner agencies on complex cases, community concerns, and coordinated service delivery.
• Supports animal-related disaster preparedness and response activities, including public education, volunteer coordination, resource distribution, community outreach, and emergency sheltering operations.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Equivalent to two (2) years of college including coursework in health education, sociology, home economics, biology, psychology, or education; AND,

1. One year of experience in community health or a related service;
2. A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to the employment standard listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.

Additional Qualifications:

Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License may be requested as Travel throughout the County is a requirement for this role.

Knowledge of: community organizations and resources; group dynamics and human behavior; community outreach techniques; community health needs; the control of diseases; the methods of presenting educational materials; proper English usage and grammar.

Ability to: effectively communicate program information to a wide range of people; gain support and cooperation from other agencies and the community; identify health education needs and projects; conduct and facilitate group presentations; establish and maintain working relationships with individuals from diverse socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds.

Bilingual – Speaking Preferred:

The ability to converse fluently in English and Spanish is preferred. Note: You must self-certify on your application that you are fluent in English and Spanish. Hiring departments may test you on your fluency. If you do not demonstrate sufficient fluency, your name may be withheld from future certifications that require bilingual skills, in accordance to Civil Service Rules.

Animal Shelter Locations:

• Santa Maria Animal Shelter, 548 W Foster Rd, Santa Maria, CA 93455
• Santa Barbara Animal Shelter, 5473 Overpass Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93111
• Lompoc Animal Shelter, 1501 W Central Ave, Lompoc, CA 93436

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS

1. Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment
2. Supplemental Questionnaire Rating – Responses to the required examination supplemental questions will be evaluated and scored. Candidates’ final score and rank on the eligibility list will be determined by the responses to these questions. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than 11 qualified candidates.

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the Supplemental Questionnaire Rating to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule 6. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the examination, rank on the employment list, and duration of the employment list.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of accommodation needed from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

Recruiters will correspond with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.

County Health Department (County Health) requires all employees working in direct contact with patients or clients in a high-risk environment to comply with the County Health Employee Immunizations policy. This can be accomplished by providing documentation of immunizations, submitting laboratory immune titers demonstrating adequate immunity, or obtaining required vaccinations. A list of requirements, based on the specific program, will be sent at the time an offer letter is presented to the selected candidate(s) and initial documentation will be required at this time.

Conditional Job Offer: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidate will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. The appointee may be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.

Disaster Service Workers: Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance. The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates. The County has a longstanding practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: 08/20/2026 at 4:59 p.m. PST; postmarks not accepted. Applications and job postings can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.

Farrah Medrano, County Health Talent Acquisition Lead – [e-mail]