Volunteer Program Coordinator

Description

Responsible for supporting the management of the AWLA volunteer program, assisting with the coordination of AWLA community events, and supporting the successful operation of AWLA’s Youth Programs. 

Requirements

  ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:

This position is supervised by: Volunteer Program Manager

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB INCLUDE:

Volunteer Program:

- Provide support to the Volunteer Program and AWLA volunteers

- Assist with recruiting and screening volunteers

- Coordinate and lead volunteer information sessions, trainings and workshops

- Build positive relationships with volunteers by assisting with volunteer appreciation efforts, fielding questions from volunteers and diffusing conflict between staff and volunteers as needed

- Enforce safety protocols and raise concerns about volunteers to the Volunteer Program Manager

- Coordinate and attend volunteer-related events and support community programs, with supervision, to ensure adequate staffing, preparation, and marketing

- Manage the scheduling of volunteer mentor trainings

- Assist with maintaining training materials to ensure they’re up to date with current procedures

- Maintain and update the volunteer database to track volunteer engagement and hours

Event Coordination:

- As a member of the Volunteer team, coordinate and attend community events to ensure adequate staffing, preparation, and marketing for events

Humane Education:

- Assist the Youth Programs staff with summer camp and other youth activities as needed

Other Duties/Functions 

- Provide support to the AWLA’s team effort, including, but not limited to

- Communicate regularly with supervisors and coworkers to ensure that they are aware of any issues pertinent to their areas of responsibility

- Participate in staff meetings to share ideas and suggestions 

- Participate and attend community outreach events in support of AWLA's mission

- Perform other duties as requested to ensure the internal and external well-being of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria

Position Specifications

Required:

- Minimum 1 year of experience working with volunteers

- Proven ability to handle multiple tasks in a busy workplace environment

- Understanding of humane care and treatment of animals

- Comfort with handling animals of all sizes

- Strong customer service skills and the ability to maintain a professional appearance and demeanor at all times

- Strong computer and data entry skills

- Fluent in written and spoken English

- Weekend availability - 5 days per week, 8 hours per day, including at least one weekend day; Occasional flexibility in scheduling will be required

- A belief in the mission of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria

Preferred:

- Bachelor’s degree

- Proficient with written and spoken Spanish

- Experience with positive reinforcement, fear-free animal behavior training and handling

- Experience working or volunteering in an animal shelter environment

- Valid Driver's License

Working Conditions:

- Indoors in a high-noise, air-conditioned/heated building, outdoors at shelter, or on location for various activities

- Equipment use includes use of PC, laser printer, copy machine, fax machine, telephone, power washer, industrial dish washing machine, washing machine, dryer, cleaning supplies, and cargo vans

- Work hours will vary

- Early morning, evening, weekend and holiday hours are required

MENTAL, PHYSICAL AND COMMUNICATION DEMANDS:

- Regular exposure to animals, cleaning chemicals, fumes, dust, animal feces, bites, scratches

- The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds

- The employee must frequently bend, grip and be flexible to do so

- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus

- Ability to work around pet dander, dust and other allergens without issue

- Regularly required to stand and walk

- Strong data entry skills and the ability to maintain accurate records in Chameleon

- Requires working alone or with minimal supervision - must be self-motivated

- Requires patience and tact when working with difficult, emotional, or angry people

- Must have the ability to effectively communicate; verbally and written, over the phone and intercom, with a wide variety of both internal and external individuals, including the Directors, Managers, Coordinators, the staff, a volunteer workforce, partner organizations, donors, and private citizens

- Requires treating people and animals in a pleasant, courteous and professional manner

- Adherence to the AWLA’s policies and philosophies

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria pays the full insurance premiums for the employee. Insurance options are also available for spouses and families.

This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related duties required by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at-will" relationship.

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, service in the military, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions.

Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation and training.