Shelter Volunteer Associate

The Cleveland Animal Protective League’s; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

The Cleveland APL is seeking a part-time, hourly, non-exempt Volunteer Coordinator to support onboarding, training, scheduling, and day-to-day coordination of shelter volunteers and interns, aligning with our mission and standards.

You will assist with maintaining volunteer engagement, support animal care and shelter operations, and help ensure volunteers are prepared to assist with enrichment, adoptions, and operations.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience in animal welfare or customer service preferred.
• Basic proficiency with Office 365 and digital recordkeeping.
• Interest in animal behavior and shelter operations preferred.
• Fear Free Certification preferred or within six months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Assists with onboarding and orientation of new shelter volunteers and interns.
• Provides basic training, coaching, and ongoing support to volunteers working in animal care, enrichment, adoptions, clinic support, projectCARE, and shelter operations.
• Helps monitor volunteer schedules to ensure adequate coverage throughout the shelter.
• Distributes volunteer training materials, badges, and access cards as assigned.
• Assists with maintaining volunteer records and communications through volunteer management systems and email.
• Supports volunteer coaches and experienced volunteers who assist with hands-on training.
• Communicates updates, reminders, and procedural changes to volunteers in a timely and professional manner.
• Helps maintain cleanliness and organization of volunteer spaces and supplies.
• Observes volunteer performance and escalates concerns or conflicts to supervisors as appropriate.
• Assists with volunteer appreciation and engagement efforts to promote retention and positive volunteer experiences.
• Assists in arranging Dogs Day Out outings with shelter animals with both volunteers and the public.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Customer service

Organization

Communication

Animal handling

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Office 365

Digital recordkeeping systems

Job description

We are always seeking dynamic individuals who believe in and will help fulfill our mission. The Cleveland APL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We promote a drug-free workplace through pre-employment and random post-employment testing. Thank you in advance for the courtesy of no phone calls.

Location: 1729 Willey Ave

Cleveland, OH

Job Id:120

# of Openings:1

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Classification: Part-time, hourly, non-exempt

Job Relationship: Reports to ShelterVolunteer Coordinator and Shelter Manager. Works closely with the Volunteer Manager, Behavior Supervisor, Animal Care Supervisor, and Adoptions Supervisor. Supports volunteers and interns in daily shelter operations.

Position Summary: Supports the onboarding, training, scheduling, and day-to-day coordination of shelter volunteers and interns.Assistswithmaintainingvolunteer engagement and ensuring volunteers are prepared to support animal care, enrichment, adoptions, and shelter operations in alignment with organizational standards and mission.

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Revised: July 2026

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Essential Job Functions

• Assistswith onboarding and orientation of new shelter volunteers and interns.
• Provides basic training, coaching, and ongoing support to volunteers working in animal care, enrichment, adoptions, clinic support,projectCARE,and shelter operations.
• Helpsmonitorvolunteer schedules to ensure adequate coverage throughout the shelter.
• Distributes volunteer training materials, badges, and access cards as assigned.
• Assistswithmaintainingvolunteer records and communications through volunteer management systems and email.
• Supports volunteer coaches and experienced volunteers whoassistwith hands-on training.
• Communicates updates, reminders, and procedural changes to volunteers ina timelyand professional manner.
• Helpsmaintaincleanliness and organization of volunteer spaces and supplies.
• Observes volunteer performance and escalates concerns or conflicts to supervisors asappropriate.
• Assistswith volunteer appreciation and engagement efforts to promote retention and positive volunteer experiences.
• Assistsin arranging Dogs Day Outoutingswith shelter animals with both volunteers and the public.

Animal Care & Shelter Operations

• Supports safe handling andhumanetreatment of animalsin accordance withshelter protocols.
• Assistswith animal enrichment, behavior support, and daily care routines as needed.
• Helpsmaintainsafe and sanitary shelter conditions.
• Opens and closes shelter areas as assigned.
• Assistswithmaintainingcleaning equipment, tools, and supplies.
• Represents the organization in a professional, respectful, and compassionate manner at all times.
• Provides excellent customer service to staff, volunteers, adopters, and community members.
• Promotes teamwork and collaboration across departments.
• Follows all safety procedures andimmediatelyreports unsafe conditions or policy violations.
• Demonstrates flexibility and willingness to support operational needs of the shelter.
• Supports the organization’s mission, values, and commitment to animal welfare.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience working or volunteering in animal welfare, customer service, education, or community programs preferred.
• Basicproficiencywith Office 365 and digital recordkeeping systems.
• Interest in animal behavior, handling, and shelter operations preferred.
• Fear Free Certification preferred or willingness to obtain within six months of hire.

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Ability to communicate clearly and follow established procedures.
• Organized, dependable, anddetail oriented.
• Ability to safely handle animals ofvarious sizesand temperaments.
• Commitment to humane animal care and the organization’s mission and values.

Working Conditions

Work is performed constantly in an animal shelter that operates seven days per week with exposure to animals, including some with questionable health and temperament concerns, high noise levels, zoonotic diseases, and cleaning agents. Subject to animal bites and scratches. Position requires frequent movement throughout the shelter, standing, walking, bending, lifting, and handling animals. Regularly operates a computer, telephone, and other office equipment (i.e. calculator, copier, fax machine, and printer). Constantly communicates with staff members and volunteers who have inquiries about their job responsibilities and animal needs and must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations. Must be able to detect and recognize animal behavior that is potentially dangerous. Occasionally move animals weighing up to 50 pounds (i.e. through the shelter on leash or using other safe restraint and animal handling equipment, into and out of cages in the shelter, into and out of shelter vehicles). Must be able to mandate schedule to meet the APL’s operational needs.

Our Core Values

Compassion

We are compassion in action. We believe every animal and person has value and worth and should be treated with respect, empathy, and kindness to support the human-animal bond.

Advocacy

We are a voice for animals,dedicatedto lifesavingsolutionsthat advancetheir quality of life,and promote theirplace in society.

Leadership

We act withintegrity, creativity, duty to community, and have the courage to change. Theseare the driving forces that make us a leading animal welfare organization.

Innovation

We are devoted to pioneering new approaches to the evolving challenges animals face by developing ethical, humane solutions and working in partnership with the public and animal welfare community.

Community

We continually strive to be a diverse and inclusive team and believe we must all work together to best fulfill our vision.

This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related duties required by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship.