Volunteer Program Coordinator (Volunteer Services Coordinator II)

At Fairfax County Animal Services, we're committed to delivering the highest quality of care to the animals in our Shelter, offering meaningful volunteer opportunities that directly support Shelter operations and programs, and addressing the root causes of pet homelessness through progressive pet support initiatives. We're excited to announce an opening for a Volunteer Program Coordinator!

This position assists the Volunteer Program Manager in connecting community members with impactful volunteer opportunities that support both in-shelter operations and community outreach programs. This role plays a vital part in managing and expanding our dynamic volunteer program across two shelter campuses - ensuring volunteers are well-trained, engaged, and supported, and that our shelters have the help they need to thrive.

Fairfax County Animal Services is the only open-access municipal shelter in Fairfax, Virginia, with two campuses: the West Ox Campus and our new Lorton Campus. We maintain a live release rate of over 90% and are proud of our dedicated staff and volunteers, robust foster and volunteer programs, progressive sheltering policies, and strong support from our animal-loving community. Please visit our website here.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinates the Animal Shelter's Volunteer Programs, under general supervision of the Volunteer Program Manager, and contributes to overall program effectiveness by meeting goals and objectives.
• Recruits, trains, supervises, and provides onsite support for volunteers for the Animal Services' programs including but not limited to: hands-on animal care assistants for a variety of species, administrative support, onsite and offsite events, community support programs, and more. Delivers effective presentations to a variety of audiences.
• Performs administrative tasks, including entering and updating data in the volunteer management software, setting up new volunteers and assigning roles, and compiling reports and maintaining program records as needed. Monitors volunteer service hours and communicates regularly with volunteers.
• Assists in the preparation and updating recruitment materials, volunteer handbook, reports, and other written materials involved in the volunteer program. Assists in the design of program materials, including print and online collateral, to promote the volunteer program.
• Assists with designing and updating volunteer job descriptions for volunteer positions. Learns all aspects of Shelter operations to determine opportunities for volunteerism.
• Drives county vehicle to participate in volunteer recruitment and outreach events, and to transport supplies and/or volunteers to off-site events.
• Assists with planning and implementing volunteer appreciation activities.
• Records relevant animal information in Shelter management software system.
• Manages and monitors inventory of volunteer program supplies.
• May perform other related duties to meet the ongoing business needs of the organization.

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)

Interfaces with volunteers and program staff to determine extent of program need for volunteers.
Formulates, recommends, and implements plans for recruitment; conducts assessment interviews to determine appropriate placement based on interests, skills and abilities of volunteers.
Conducts campaigns, through speaking engagements or similar publicity efforts, to obtain volunteers or promote available volunteer services.
Oversees volunteer training, performance management, and recognition.
Acts as liaison to community, volunteers, and agency staff.
Collects information and prepares materials for distribution related to volunteer services. Monitors overall volunteer program effectiveness and promotes effective working relationships with program staff to maximize successful volunteer experiences.
Designs program brochures and flyers and writes articles to promote volunteerism.

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

Effective oral and written communication skills, including effective presentation skills.
Demonstrated interpersonal and organizational skills.
Demonstrated ability to supervise volunteers effectively.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: (Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in social or behavioral sciences, liberal arts, education or personnel administration; plus one year of professional volunteer services coordination experience, including recruitment, selection, and/or placement of volunteers.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Valid driver's license (Required at the time of application)
Fear Free Shelter Certification (Required within 3 months)

• Criminal Background Investigation
• Driving Record Check

• One year of progressively responsible volunteer program coordination/management or transferable experience.
• Professional experience in an animal sheltering organization.
• Experience working with and handling animals, including orphaned, sick, injured, and behavioral-needs animals of various species.
• Experience with volunteer database Volgistics or other volunteer management software, including updating volunteer records, scheduling opportunities, designing web volunteer applications, and auditing schedule, volunteer hours, and communication pieces in the database.
• Bilingual or professional fluency in English and Spanish, or one of the other main languages spoken in the Fairfax County community, to convey vital information with members of the targeted community.

• Walk, stand, sit, bend, kneel, stoop, crawl, climb stairs, and be comfortable doing these activities for extended periods of time; lift, carry, and move up to 50 pounds; use hands to grasp, handle, and feel; and talk, see, and hear.
• Handle, move, and restrain animals of various species, sizes, conditions, and temperament.
• Maneuver safely in kennels, dog play yards, cat rooms, small animal room, off-site events, etc.
• Must not have allergies to animals or animal supplies (ex: hay, peanut butter, etc.) that will impede working in an animal environment.
• Converse with volunteers, residents, staff, and others in person, via e-mail, and on the phone. Make presentations in person and virtually.
• Visual acuity to read standard text and data on a computer monitor. Operate keyboard-driven equipment.
• Create materials and operate equipment necessary to complete work tasks. Drive County vehicle to travel around Fairfax County.
• Work a varied schedule, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and be available on occasional holidays.
• All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include a practical exercise.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.

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Requisition 25-01056