Outreach & Engagement Officer

Job Description:

Outreach & Engagement Officer

Description

Position: Outreach & Engagement Officer FLSA: Non-Exempt Department: Animal Services Schedule: Flexible scheduling; may be subject to after hours and emergency call in. Reports To: Animal Services Manager Positions Supervised: Volunteers, Rescue Groups

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Animal Services Manager, the Outreach and Engagement Officer will serve as the team leader responsible for managing the overall recruitment, communication, and management of Animal Welfare Organizations involved with the Animal Shelter, as well as community outreach efforts, animal intake and evaluation, and responsible pet ownership educational efforts.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Coordinates shelter animals' progression through the various divisions of the shelter, working with shelter staff, volunteers, and Animal Welfare Organizations to keep animals moving and reduce their overall length of stay.
• Oversees the Volunteer Program of the animal shelter including: recruitment of volunteers, volunteer orientation/training, management of volunteer activities while at and away from the animal shelter, volunteer retention, and management of the volunteer software program.
• Assists with Front Desk duties when necessary, helping during busy times with all processes completed at the animal shelter's front desk.
• Manages rescue program by conducting basic health and temperament assessments on impounded animals to determine suitability for placement with a partnering rescue organization and how to best market the animal for placement.
• Identifies, screens, recruits, coordinates, and manages Animal Welfare Organizations to find placement for special needs and other animals to be released from the Animal Shelter.
• Maintains records of current and new Animal Welfare Organizations, verifying compliance with all Animal Shelter requirements; oversees development and implementation of rescue policies; develops and implements strategies to recruit Animal Welfare Organizations; responds to inquiries regarding the program.
• Assists with the intake and evaluation of new shelter animals in accordance with standard operating procedures as time allows.
• Uses social media, makes phone calls, sends emails, and text messages to help bring attention to animals in need of placement with appropriate partners.
• Coordinates with rescue groups, adoption services, and other governmental entities to ensure the transfer of animals to appropriate agencies in a timely manner.
• Enters data necessary for tracking complaints, animals, behavioral evaluations, etc. into computer database.
• Organizes and oversees events which raise awareness of the Animal Shelter; promotes prior to events and ensures a successful event takes place when scheduled and within budget.
• Assists with the development of informational and educational materials to be offered to adopters and/or rescue partners on-site and during offsite events, as well as distribution of materials at community outreach opportunities.
• Manages lost and found animals and works to reunite lost pets with their families and/or prepare animals for rescue or adoption.
• Develops and maintains proactive outreach and enrichment programs.
• Other duties as assigned by management, including but not limited to assisting with medical evaluations of animals, assisting with surgery preparations, performing intake exams, and administering vaccinations and/or medications.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• In-depth knowledge of operations, services, methods, and techniques of animal control.
• Knowledge of housekeeping practices, procedures, and methods as necessary in maintaining sanitary conditions at the animal shelter.
• Knowledge of bookkeeping and/or accounting practices and procedures; ability to perform basic mathematical functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
• Working knowledge of equipment and materials used in animal shelters.
• Ability to communicate orally in person, by telephone, and two-way radio in emergency and non-emergency situations; ability to make presentations to diverse groups of individuals.
• Ability to read and understand documents, books, manuals, correspondence, reports, and instructions written by hand and typed; ability to read computer screen.
• Ability to operate a city-owned vehicle in a safe manner.
• Ability to write and maintain records and reports.
• Good knowledge of supervisory practices and procedures including motivation and decision-making techniques; knowledge of effective interviewing techniques.
• Skill in mediating disputes and solving problems.
• Demonstrated program management knowledge including skill in developing training materials; ability to organize and conduct training sessions.
• Skill in identifying the strengths and weaknesses of volunteers and building alliances with community organizations.
• Regular, reliable, and punctual levels of attendance are essential job functions and expectations of this position.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to walk and stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to bend, stoop, push, and pull while retrieving or placing files in cabinets or shelves and lifting and caring for animals in shelter or at adoption events.
• Ability to carry and lift animals and other supplies weighing up to 75 lbs. in and around the animal shelter area and to other areas away from the facility.
• Ability to perform activities at animal shelter; ability to reach overhead in order to obtain supplies and items in cabinets and on shelves.
• Fine dexterity with fingers and hands required to handle items, animals, and to operate computer, typewriter, calculator, two-way radio, and vehicle.

Environmental Conditions

• Work is performed indoors and outdoors and is subject to mechanical, fire, and chemical hazards.
• Work is subject to bodily injury when dealing with animals.
• Work may be subject to time pressures, emergency situations, noisy/distracting environment, irregular work schedule, performing multiple tasks simultaneously, and dealing with irate people.

Minimum Qualifications

• Above knowledge and skill may be gained by four years of responsible experience involving work with various types of animals AND two years of experience developing and coordinating events AND two years of experience supervising personnel, OR by any combination of training and experience leading to the described level of knowledge and skill.
• Must have or be able to obtain Basic Animal Control Certification issued by the Texas Department of State Health within six (6) months of employment.
• Must have 2+ years of experience working in an Animal Control environment AND a Level 1 CVA or at least 2 years of experience in the Animal Health Management field, OR by any combination of training and experience leading to the described level of knowledge and skill.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Must have a valid Texas Driver's License and driving record must meet or surpass guidelines as set forth by the City.
• Due to the nature of the position, criminal history must be clear.
• Bilingual in Spanish is strongly preferred.

Closing Date/Time: ${closing_date}

Salary:

$20.07-$28.30