Animal Services Counselor (Volunteer Services) - Thousand Palms

Full Job Description

The Riverside County Department of Animal Services is seeking to fill one vacancy for Animal Services Counselor. This position will support the Volunteer Services Program located in Thousand Palms.

We are seeking someone who can elevate our Volunteer Program by building strong partnerships with community, civic, academic, and social organizations to develop an active and engaged volunteer roster.

This role will also utilize social and local media platforms to increase visibility for our volunteer teams and programs, fostering sustained community interest in volunteerism.

Additionally, you will be responsible for creating promotional photos and videos that can be easily shared across social media channels.

We want an enthusiastic and creative Animal Services Counselor, that will roll-up their sleeves and work alongside volunteers, as they, conduct dog walking, adoptions, community outreach, homeless pet outreach, vaccination clinics, animal transport to and from facilities, etc.

If you're someone with a strong customer service background, compassionate, empathetic and have a desire to work in public service, take a moment to apply.

Competitive candidates will possess more than six months of community or volunteer organization experience, excellent customer services skills, and experience leading or managing a small group of volunteers or staff.

Experience using volunteer management software, and/or performing data entry for a large organization is highly desired.

Competitive candidates will also possess:

Work schedule: Tuesday through Saturday. Availability to work weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed to meet department needs is required.

Requirements

• Participate in Animal Services Community Outreach & Education Division activities; answer questions concerning age, breed, characteristics, and care and treatment of animals; responsible for knowing which animals are available for adoption, return-to-owner, etc., and knowing the temperaments and personalities of these animals.

• Assist and counsel owners and members of the public in the admittance and surrender of animals through proper interviewing techniques and completion of necessary paperwork; obtain accurate information regarding animal temperament, living habits and training, medical conditions, behavior, age, breed, and any relevant information from the relinquishing party; assist owners with alternative options to surrendering an animal.

• Prepare reports, maintain records, and fill out forms concerning activities; assist with the training of new staff and/or volunteers.

• May be assigned to any shift and required to be available as needed.

• May be specifically assigned as an Adoption Partner Coordinator and act as point of contact for rescue groups (adoption partners), coordinating the adoption of shelter animals to adoption partners and developing/maintaining relationships with adoption partners, and other related activities as assigned.

• Participate regularly in community events or animal adoption events that frequently occur on weekends; coordinate spay/neutering of animals in anticipation of outreach activities.

• Act as a fully participating member of the Community Outreach and Education Division and of the Adoption Team and work collaboratively and supportively with the Animal Care Technicians.

Qualifications

OPTION I Experience: Six months performing animal care duties in a public or non-profit animal control program, which includes experience working in customer service, community outreach or event planning, and leading volunteers or teams.

OPTION II Experience: One year of paid or voluntary experience in a veterinary office, animal grooming, animal board and kennel facility, or similar setting which included the care of animals.

Must include experience working in customer service, community outreach or event planning, and leading volunteers or teams.

OPTION III Experience: Two years of experience within a customer service environment, which includes experience working in community outreach or event planning, and leading volunteers or teams; at least six (6) months of this experience must have included caring for animals.

Other Requirements: Possession of a valid Class C California Driver’s License at the time of application, the incumbent will be driving to and from different facility locations.

Physical Requirements: Independent body mobility to stand and move daily, perform lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling of various supplies and materials used within the facilities or for community/event set up and take down, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Physical exposure: This position will require working in an environment with exposure to animal smells, dander, excrement, fluids and wounds.

ALL OPTIONS

Experience: Six months experience working in customer service, community outreach or event planning, and leading volunteers or teams.

Knowledge of: Techniques and procedures for the safe, humane, and efficient handling of animals; laws and ordinances governing the licensing and treatment of animals; the symptoms of common animal diseases; common breeds of domestic animals and appropriate practices for their care and feeding.

Ability to: Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relations with the public, adoption partners and other employees; handle animals humanely and safely; manage difficult to place animals; read and comprehend laws and regulations pertaining to animal control; clearly explain animal services to the public; exercise tact and good judgment in dealings with the public; recognize symptoms of rabies and other animal diseases; keep statistical records; lift and handle cats, dogs (including large breeds) and other animals.

Additional Information

For questions regarding this recruitment:

Please contact Valeria Ramirez at 951-955-1943 or varamirez@rivco.org. Please allow 1-2 business days for a response to general inquiries.

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