Volunteer Program Specialist - Animal Services

Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity. Pay Range: $38.00 - $46.70 Hourly Department: Department of Community Services (DCS) Job Type: Regular Represented Exemption Status: United States of America (Non-Exempt) Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified): September 01, 2024 The Opportunity: *only apply for this position once* OVERVIEW: This Work Matters! Multnomah County Animal Services (MCAS) is seeking to fill one (1) full-time vacancy at our shelter in Troutdale, Oregon for a dynamic and compassionate Volunteer Program Specialist to lead and grow our volunteer program. In this role, you will be the heart of our volunteer community, empowering individuals to make a real difference in the lives of both animals and people within the community. As a key member of our shelter team, you'll lead and nurture our vibrant volunteer program. Our volunteers are essential, providing hands-on support in areas like animal care, enrichment activities, veterinary assistance, community outreach, and adoption matchmaking. Specific duties include, but are not limited to: Oversee day-to-day volunteer activities, providing guidance and support to ensure a positive and impactful experience. Design and implement comprehensive training and onboarding programs, equipping volunteers with the skills and knowledge to succeed. Develop and promote a diverse range of volunteer opportunities that cater to various interests and skill sets. Plan engaging events, create meaningful communications, and express appreciation to volunteers, fostering a sense of belonging and connection. Manage program logistics, including scheduling, supplies, and data tracking, ensuring efficient and effective volunteer engagement. Cultivate strong and lasting relationships with volunteers, offering coaching, support, and mentorship. Maintain high professional standards, ensuring volunteers adhere to policies and procedures while promoting a positive and respectful environment. Actively participate in the review process and collaborate with staff to ensure volunteers are aligned with the agency's mission and goals. Foster a welcoming and inclusive culture where volunteers feel safe, valued, and empowered to contribute their unique skills and perspectives. Communicate clearly and respectfully with all stakeholders, building strong partnerships and fostering collaboration. Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of agency-wide policies and procedures, ensuring compliance and best practices. A successful candidate: Thrives in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, remaining calm and focused even during unexpected challenges. Consistently demonstrates professionalism and serves as a role model for our core values in interactions with colleagues, volunteers, and the public. Possesses a strong understanding of volunteer program best practices within an animal shelter and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement. Enjoys working with diverse groups of people, building relationships, and fostering a positive and engaging volunteer experience. Excels at synthesizing information, prioritizing tasks, and communicating complex concepts clearly to various audiences. Builds strong relationships, navigates change effectively, and maintains a calm and positive demeanor even under pressure. Comfortable using databases, learning new technologies, and leveraging technology to improve efficiency. Takes initiative, works independently, and effectively manages multiple priorities and interruptions. Communicates in a friendly, open, and respectful manner in person, over the telephone, and via email. Demonstrates cultural responsiveness and a commitment to understanding and practicing principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Who Are We? Multnomah County Department of Community Services comprises unique and essential government services, including Elections, Land Use Planning, Animal Services and Transportation. Multnomah County Animal Services (MCAS) is the municipal shelter for Multnomah County located within the state of Oregon. MCAS is the only open door shelter in Multnomah County and the primary agency responsible for lost pet care, animal abuse investigation, and animal rescue. We also offer dog and cat licensing, lost and found pet services, and animal adoptions through our shelter in Troutdale, Oregon. What We Can Offer You: You will become a part of a strong organization dedicated to providing outstanding services to the community. At Multnomah County we are committed to maintaining an effective, respectful and inclusive workplace. We value collaborative problem solving and strive for continuous improvement. We strongly believe in workforce equity, diversity and inclusion. Visit our Workforce Equity Strategies Plan (WESP) to see where Multnomah County is headed with these values. This recruitment will be used to fill any current and future full-time, part-time, on-call, temporary and limited duration positions while the eligible for hire list is active. TO QUALIFY: We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant. For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page . Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills*: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree (in lieu of a degree we will accept equivalent practical experience); AND One (1) year of responsible program coordination and outreach experience Preferred Qualifications/Transferable Skills*: You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Please clearly explain on your application how you meet any of the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills. Understanding of animal sheltering and best practices Animal handling experience Experience with volunteer management software programs such as Volgistics or Volunteer Impact Specialized training in volunteer management and/or animal sheltering Strong understanding of volunteer management principles and practices Experience coordinating a volunteer program, including recruiting, interviewing, and placing applicants for volunteer assignments, preferably in an animal welfare environment Certification in Volunteer Administration (CVA) Demonstrated experience in public speaking, including outreach events and giving presentations in front of large groups Strong ability to develop community relationships and partnerships Transferable skills: Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experience that are relevant for this position . Be sure to describe any transferable skills on your application and clearly explain how they apply to this position. SCREENING AND EVALUATION: The Application Packet: Please be sure to provide all the materials below in your application submission: Online application: Explain all related experience (paid or unpaid) and training in the education and work experience sections of the application. Attach a resume: Please indicate how you meet the required minimum qualifications . Attach the PDF document to the on-line application. Be sure to explain in detail, including dates, all related work experience, paid or unpaid. Note: The application and resume should clearly demonstrate your work experience/skills and how they relate to the descriptions provided in the ‘Overview’ and ‘To Qualify’ sections of this job posting. Please be thorough, as these materials will be used to determine your eligibility for an interview. Internal candidates: After you have applied, you will receive the Oregon Veteran Preference Questionnaire in your Workday inbox. Your application as an internal candidate is not complete until you fill out and submit the Oregon Veteran Preference Questionnaire. The Selection Process: For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page . We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows: Initial review of minimum qualifications Evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates Consideration of top candidates, which may include phone interviews, panel interviews, and/or additional testing Professional reference checks Note: Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Type of Position: This hourly, union-represented position is eligible for overtime. Schedule: Tuesday-Saturday, 8:00am-4:30pm Location: Troutdale, OR Multnomah County offers an exceptional benefits package, including employer-funded retirement savings; health and dental insurance at very low cost to full-time employees and their dependents; paid parental leave; wellness programs; a focus on work-life balance; and much more. Find more details on our benefits website . Equal Pay Law: Please be advised that the pay range listed for this position is intended to provide general guidance on the earning potential for the role. However, actual compensation will be determined in accordance with the Oregon Equal Pay Law and will take into account factors such as the candidate's relevant experience, education seniority, training, and/or tenure. Candidates should expect that initial offers will be made within the listed pay range and may not be at or near the top of the range. Serving the Public, Even During Disasters: Everyday, Multnomah County staff work together to serve as a safety net for our communities. During a disaster, this safety net becomes even more critical. All County employees have a role in serving the public during inclement weather, natural disaster, or other types of community emergency response. During these emergency responses, while typically there begins with a call for volunteers, county employees may ultimately be reassigned from their current position to a role in the emergency response in order to support the critical needs presented by our communities. For more information, please visit the Disaster Service Worker Information page . Questions? Angie Larson, Recruiter Department of Community Services angie.r.larson@multco.us Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract. Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals. Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply. Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711. Questions? Recruiter: Angie Larson Email: angie.r.larson@multco.us Phone: +1 (503) 4079569 Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice. Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract. Job Profile: 6021 - Program Specialist