Animal Services Volunteer Coordinator

Description


THE POSITION: Under general supervision of the Volunteer Manager, the Animal Services Volunteer Coordinator serves as a lead for volunteers working varied schedules; coordinates interactions between participating volunteers; recruits, trains, assigns, and directs the work of volunteer staff. The position is needed on an intermittent basis, with the ideal schedule being working days on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Works effectively as part of the VCAS Volunteer program team on cross-functional programs, projects, activities, newsletters, and events.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate will have extensive experience planning, coordinating, and implementing volunteer-related programs, preferably working in an animal welfare organization or a municipal animal control agency, and have attained the ability to be a strong, effective communicator. Experience should include running and recruiting for a substantial (800+) volunteer program. In addition, the successful candidate will be proficient in Microsoft Office programs and volunteer management database software, previous experience in public speaking, have a history of goal setting and achievement, be able to identify sick/injured animals, and have knowledge of animal breeds/behavior characteristics.

DEPARTMENT/AGENCY: Ventura County Animal Services
Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) offers a wide array of programs and services to the residents and animals of Ventura County. These services include animal sheltering, pet adoptions, lost and found, field services, cruelty investigations, pet licensing, TNR surgical services, low-cost vaccination clinics, volunteer/foster opportunities, and emergency disaster response.

PAYROLL TITLE
Technical Specialist IV-PH

Technical Specialist IV-PH is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and is eligible for overtime compensation.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-term), Intermittent, and Extra Help vacancies for this or similar positions only. There is currently one (1) Intermittent vacancy .

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
OPENING DATE: 7/30/2025
CLOSING DATE: 8/14/2025

Examples Of Duties

Examples Of Duties: Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Leads, plans, prepares, and schedules volunteer orientations; and oversees all training sessions and daily activities to ensure volunteers are able to perform their assigned tasks safely, humanely, and efficiently.
• Maintains communication with volunteers using social media platforms (i.e., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) and responds to general inquiries (via email, phone) with regards to the volunteer program.
• Works effectively as part of the VCAS Volunteer program team on cross-functional programs, projects, activities, newsletters, and events.
• Works together with Animal Care Team, Volunteer Manager, and Veterinary Staff members to develop a scheduling system to help monitor and evaluate the daily work of the volunteers to ensure maximum coverage and efficiency.
• Recruits new volunteers and assists in the general marketing of VCAS volunteer program through social media outlets and platforms; matches staff/organization needs with the volunteer’s skill sets and interests.
• Ensures donated supplies and equipment are distributed based on program/organization priorities.
• Tracks data on volunteer management database such as hours and tasks performed for annual benchmarking and goal setting purposes, including monthly volunteer developments/statistics reports.
• Oversees the input and maintenance of volunteer data in the appropriate management database software (i.e., Volgistics, Chameleon, or similar);
• Performs other related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

These are entrance requirements to the exam process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE
Any combination of education, training, and experience which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

The required knowledge skills and abilities can be obtained by two (2) years of full-time experience planning, coordinating, and implementing volunteer-related programs, preferably in an animal welfare organization or a municipal animal control agency, lead experience is desirable.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Experience using social media platforms (Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram)
• Experience in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint)
• Demonstrate proficiency in database software programs such as Volgistics, Chameleon, or similar within ninety (90) days from hire.
• Excellent written communication skills must be demonstrated in the completion of the employment application and supplemental questionnaire.
• Must be willing and able to deliver effective public speaking presentations.
• Must be willing and able to work in a facility where euthanasia is performed.
• Must be able to lift and move up to 50 lbs with or without accommodation.
• Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods of time.
• Must be willing and able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Must possess and maintain a valid California driver license.
• Note to out-of-state applicants: If you currently possess a valid driver license from your state of residence, you meet this requirement and, if selected for the position, you will be afforded approximately 30 days from date of hire to obtain and, thereafter, maintain a valid California driver license.

DESIRED

• Bilingual in English and Spanish
• Experience working within a shelter environment and with shelter animals of all types and sizes preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES
Knowledge of: principles and theories of the humane movement and familiarity with animal welfare issues will be required, as well as their interpretation and application as they relate to program goals and directives; techniques, procedures, and methods for accurately gathering, synthesizing, evaluating, or conveying information; principles and techniques of recruiting, interviewing, and training volunteers; record-keeping, office procedures and practices, and management database software (i.e., Volgistics, Chameleon, or similar); and, goals, policies, and directives of volunteer assignments.

Skill in: strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate skillfully and effectively with a culturally diverse staff, volunteers, and community in a professional, pleasant, respectful, courteous, and tactful manner; and, animal handling training with safe and compassionate techniques.

Ability to: follow complex oral and written instructions; lead and maintain a strong, cohesive, and effective volunteer program in an animal shelter; work comfortably around animals in the workplace, including those who are sick or injured, diseased, dangerous, or who may be euthanized; take initiative and work with minimal supervision and direction, and maintain confidential information; use office equipment, software programs (Microsoft Office), management database programs (i.e., Volgistics, Chameleon, or similar), and social media platforms (ie., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter); establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers, clients, volunteers, and public, including conflict resolution with the ability to diffuse/deescalate emotional situations; deliver effective public speaking presentations; assist in the training of lower level or other support staff; and, act as lead worker on designated assignments; safely and effectively operate a motor vehicle; lift 50 lbs with or without accommodation.

Recruitment Process

FINAL FILING DATE: Applications must be received by the County of Ventura Human Resources in Ventura, CA, no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday August 14th, 2025.

To apply on-line, please refer to our web site at www.ventura.org/jobs. If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 677-5184 for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura Human Resources- Health Care Agency, 646 County Square Drive, Ventura, CA 93003.

Information Regarding Lateral Transfer

NOTE: If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click here for additional information.

Note to Applicants: It is essential that you complete all sections of your application and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and accurately to demonstrate your qualifications. A resume and/or other related documents may be attached to supplement the information in your application and supplemental questionnaire; however, it/they may not be submitted in lieu of the application and supplemental questionnaire.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - qualifying: All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this examination at the time of filing. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the examination process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire will result in the application being removed from consideration.

APPLICATION EVALUATION - qualifying: All applications will be reviewed to determine whether or not the stated requirements are met. Those individuals meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the screening and selection process.

TRAINING & EXPERIENCE EVALUATION: A Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E) is a structured evaluation of the job application materials submitted by an applicant, including the written responses to the supplemental questionnaire. The T&E is NOT a determination of whether the applicant meets the stated requirements; rather, the T&E is one method for determining who are the better qualified among those who have shown that they meet the stated requirements. In a T&E, applications are either scored or rank ordered according to criteria that most closely meet the business needs of the department. Applicants are typically scored/ranked in relation to one another; consequently, when the pool of applicants is exceptionally strong, many qualified applicants may receive a sore or rank which is moderate or even low resulting in them not being advanced in the process.

In a typical T&E, your training and experience are evaluated in relation to the background, experience, and factors identified for successful job performance during a job analysis. For this reason, it is recommended that your application materials clearly show your relevant background and specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities. It is also highly recommended that the supplemental questions within the application are completed with care and diligence. Responses such as "See Resume" or "Refer to Resume" are not acceptable and may disqualify an applicant from further evaluation.

ORAL EXAM - 100%: A job-related oral examination may be conducted to evaluate and compare participating candidates' knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to those factors which job analysis has determined to be essential for successful performance of the job. Candidates must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.

NOTE: If there are three (3) or fewer qualified applicants, an oral examination will not be conducted. Instead, a score of seventy percent (70%) will be assigned to each application, and each applicant will be placed on the eligible list.

Applicants successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, and driving record may be required for this position.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

For further information about this recruitment, please contact Brett Ramirez via email at Brett.Ramirez@ventur acounty.gov .

YOUR BENEFITS AS A COUNTY OF VENTURA EMPLOYEE

Service Employees International Union (LOCAL 721)

(SEIU)

To learn more about Benefits, Retirement, and the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), see links below.

• Benefits website or you may call (805) 654-2570.
• Retirement FAQ's
• Memorandum of Agreement

Union Codes: UPA, UPC, UPE, UPH, UPI, UPJ, UPT, UWS

Closing Date/Time: 8/14/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

• 

• County of Ventura

Show more