Animal Resource Center Volunteer & Transfer Coordinator AF

The Animal Resource Center (ARC) Volunteer and Animal Transfer Coordinator improves the lives of animals in Rio Rancho by overseeing the volunteer program, organizing and implementing the animal transfer program to meet the needs of the community.  Coordinator oversees all aspects of the volunteer program and will be directly responsible for recruiting, screening, selecting, placing, training, scheduling and managing volunteers who serve in a variety of roles at the ARC.  Incumbent will oversee the ARC transfer program to include cultivating relationships with partner shelters, selecting appropriate animals for transfer and maintaining communication internally and externally about animals being transferred. The Coordinator also serves as back up to the administration staff, kennel staff and officers when there is a staff shortage, or back-up and extra support is required due to heavy volume.  Will evaluate volunteers for placement in appropriate positions in support of the ARC and monitors activities with feedback from section supervisors. 

Education / higher education:   High School Graduate or equivalent

Minimum number of years of directly related experience:  Three years of experience working with an animal care, rescue, or shelter organization.

Education and/or experience preferences:  Classes in bite prevention and pet care highly desirable.    

Driver’s License requirement:    Frequent Driver -- Regular Driver's License     Required Endorsements:  None

Note -- For any driver, driving record must always meet City driving and insurability standards.

Required certifications, licenses or registrations:  None

Preferred certifications, licenses or registrations:  None

Knowledge:   City and county ordinances, and state health regulations concerning animal control; Court procedures and rules of evidence; Care and feeding of domestic and wild animals; Working knowledge of the city and the location of streets, thoroughfares and buildings; Animal behavior, diseases and breeds and have the ability to control a variety of wild and domesticated animals.  

Skills:     Must be able to type rapidly and accurately enough to successfully produce documents/spreadsheets, communicate via e-mail, or perform data entry as necessary to accomplish the essential functions of the position.  Use of technology, equipment and software typically used in the office environment.   Basic record keeping skills; capturing, transporting, and confining/sheltering animals; assisting disposing of dead animals; Maintaining clean and sanitary kennels; Handling domestic and wild animals. 

Abilities:   Communicate effectively, orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with veterinarians, law enforcement agencies, City staff and the general public; read, understand, and follow departmental rules and regulations, instructions in general, and laws and ordinances; Follow written and oral directions; lift large animals up to 50-70 pounds onto an animal control truck; analyze situations and to adopt appropriate and reasonable courses of action; enforce regulations with firmness, tact, impartiality, and professionalism, sometimes under confrontational situations; prepare and maintain accurate and timely written reports; educate the public on basic animal care, health, behavior and City’s animal specific ordinances.  Utilize a restraint pole, a variety of animal traps, nets, snappy snare, and tranquilizer gun.

Interaction with Groups/Agencies/Entities:   Internal:  Works with city law enforcement, non-ARC city staff, and ARC city staff.     External:  Works with the general public, welfare agencies, animal rescues, volunteers, and veterinarians.

The following functions are typical for this position.  The omission of specific functions does not exclude them if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment for this position.  Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Actively recruit volunteers through the use of the website, social media, community calendars, public speaking, attendance at community meetings and events, etc.
• Recruit, screen, interview, determine roles, train, schedule, and oversee volunteers serving in a variety of roles within the facility including but not limited to kennels, front office, adoption events, outreach, social media, animal socialization/recreation, etc. 
• Track volunteer data, and utilize it to create a monthly volunteer report to be submitted to management by end of each month
• Lead and manage all aspects of the volunteer program, by responding to inquiries and applications, requesting and screening background checks through Human Resources, develop and implement volunteer training policy and trainings, scheduling and managing volunteers, and maintaining timesheets and files.
• Developing a behavioral and enrichment program for the shelter animals to be facilitated by the volunteers.
• Serve as the point person for volunteers at adoption events, special events, and other PRCS/ARC events.   
• Train qualified volunteers serving at front desk to engage in a customer friendly atmosphere at all times.   Monitor volunteers who are assigned to the desk to ensure accuracy and professionalism.  Train selected volunteers who are assigned to front desk to enter animals into Shelter Buddy, perform adoptions, and serve as back up to front desk office assistants during peak hours/days.  
• Serve as manager on duty (MOD) in absence of supervisors or facility managers, fill in at front desk, kennels, and assist Officers with duties when there is a staff shortage, or back-up and extra support is required due to heavy volume.
• Develop, prepare, communicate and distribute training and policy materials and manuals for the volunteer program. 
• Must be computer savvy and handle high-volume incoming phone calls. As a fill-in/back-up for front office and will fax, scan, enter animals into Shelter Buddy software system, be available for customer service related tasks. Must meet and greet clients and represent the ARC in the most professional manner.
• Train volunteers to assist officers and kennel staff with impounding of animals including vaccinations, date entry into Shelter Buddy, posting of appropriate paperwork, checking for license or identification, placing animals in kennel, social media notices, and notifying owners of lost & impounded animals.   
• Train volunteers to perform a variety of customer service and administrative duties related to ARC operations within the City including but not limited to answer phones; enter calls into HTE CAD and Dispatch Field Officers. 
• Train volunteers to locate, interpret and explain ARC ordinances for City residents. 
• Train select volunteers to perform a variety of duties in the kennel including but not limited to cleaning runs, disinfecting/sanitizing kennels, outside runs, cattery and cages; feeding, laundry, washing dishes, organizing, greeting customers, assisting with meet-n-greets, socializing animals, picking up animal waste, inventory stocking, maintaining inventory 
• Train select volunteers to provide basic needs of impounded animals. 
• Manage the Animal Resource Center Facebook and social media pages.
• Maintain and cultivate relationships as well as serve as primary point of contact with partner shelters and transfer partners both in and outside of the Rio Rancho area. 
• Build new shelter and transfer partnerships through outreach and networking.
• Coordinate all transfer/transport details, including any veterinary scheduling, recruiting the help of staff and/or volunteers as needed. 
• Assist shelter staff with weekly population assessment to ensure timely process for transfers.
• Provide regular outreach via e-mail and phone with transfer partners and partner shelters.
• Maintain sharable database with photos, videos, and descriptions for animals needing transfer.
• Coordinate with receiving partners on individual animals eligible for transfer by reviewing medical and behavior records, provide further dialogue as needed. Reach out to partners regarding animals in need of special assistance.
• Perform data entry to maintain appropriate recordkeeping. This will include animal transfer statuses and partner interest.
• Develop transfer program protocols and procedures.
• Maintain transfer program statistics and reports.
• Other duties as assigned

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