posted on Tuesday, August 14, 2018
Now Hiring- Volunteer Coordinator/Animal Behavior Specialist
Start Date: Fall 2018
Full-time w/ benefits
The Volunteer Coordinator/Animal Behavior Specialist reports directly to the Executive Director and is part of the organization’s management team.
Volunteer Coordinator
Volunteer Policies
-The Volunteer Coordinator must be familiar with the content of the CCHS Volunteer Handbook and all CCHS policies related to volunteering for CCHS.
-Make recommendations to the Executive Director regarding changes to the Volunteer Handbook/Policies.
-The Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for documenting/reporting volunteer injuries pursuant to CCHS insurance policies.
Volunteer Recruitment
-The Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for recruiting volunteers to work in all areas of CCHS operations. The primary recruitment method at this time is a monthly informational meeting held at the Champaign or Urbana public library. The Volunteer Coordinator will be responsible for developing and implementing additional methods of recruitment as needed.
Volunteer Training
-Conduct (or oversee) volunteer training for volunteers in all areas of shelter operations, including general shelter help (laundry, newspapers, cleaning public areas); animal-care/kennel assistants; dog, cat, and small animal socializing; and adoption counseling. The Volunteer Coordinator is not responsible for training Medical Lab and Surgical Volunteers. The Volunteer Coordinator might be asked to develop and provide training for additional or new programs.
-Conduct (or over see) volunteer training for other activities, such as off-site events, as needed.
-The Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for knowing which volunteers have the necessary skills and are adequately trained for the various volunteer service areas. The Volunteer Coordinator must prevent inexperienced volunteers from assuming duties that endanger themselves, animals, other volunteers, or the public.
Volunteer Scheduling
-Schedule volunteers for their in-shelter work shifts
-Track volunteer hours
-Schedule volunteers for CCHS events and fundraisers
-Work with special event chair-persons to help recruit & schedule volunteers
Volunteer Relations
-The Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for maintaining a good rapport with volunteers and serving as the primary liaison between volunteers and shelter management and the organization as a whole. Volunteers should feel free to express their concerns to the Volunteer Coordinator, and he/she should be adept at working through conflicts. It is the Volunteer Coordinator’s job to bring legitimate concerns of the volunteers to the attention of other members of the management team and/or the Executive Director. Conversely, it is the Volunteer Coordinator’s job to explain the policies and practices of CCHS to the volunteers, to help them understand why decisions are made or situations are handled in a particular way.
-Assist Executive Director/Shelter Manager in communicating to the volunteer base about new volunteer opportunities and other CCHS news.
-Organize an annual Volunteer Appreciation event, or develop an alternative way to show our appreciation to our volunteers.
-Manage the CCHS Volunteer Facebook Page.
-Spend time working in various areas of the shelter when volunteers are present, to observe volunteer/staff relations as well as volunteer performance.
Volunteer Data Base Management
-The Volunteer Coordinator shall maintain adequate volunteer records.
-Volunteer contact information is valuable to the organization for public relations and donor cultivation. The Volunteer Coordinator will work with the Development Assistant by providing her with updated lists of Volunteers to be added to the CCHS mailing list/donor data bank.
The Volunteer Coordinator’s Role in Shelter Management
-Work with the Shelter Manager to develop and implement efficient shelter practices and procedures related to animal, staff, and volunteer management.
Other Duties
-Attend CCHS Board Meetings (2nd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.)
Animal Behavior Specialist
Overview of position:
· Responsible for development, implementation and management of all shelter behavior programs – this includes the recruitment, training, placement and retention of behavior staff, interns, and volunteers.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Animal Assessment and Disposition
· Conduct behavior evaluations of dogs and cats and supervise the training of other staff members in performing behavior evaluations.
· Become ASPCA certified in performing the SAFER canine evaluation.
· Work with the shelter manager in making decisions regarding each shelter animal’s suitability for adoption; restrictions on adoptive homes (e.g., “no children,” “no cats”); transfer to another agency; placement in foster care; or humane euthanasia.
Supervision & Program Development
· Supervise and provide assistance to behavior staff and interns.
· Oversee the development and maintenance of CCHS kennel enrichment and behavior modification programs.
· Develop animal behavior materials (hand-outs) for patrons.
· Provide education on animal behavior for CCHS staff, interns, and volunteers.
· Oversee and manage the CCHS Dog Training Class program.
· Work with the CCHS shelter veterinarian, animal care staff, volunteers, and other employees to reduce kennel stress and increase adoptability.
· Oversee the “People Helping Dogs” (PhD) program including: treatment recommendations, progress checks and follow-up reports.
· Oversee the Behavior Internship program and train Behavior interns.
· Promote appropriate good behavior for all adoptable animals through training and conditioning, while utilizing positive reinforcement.
· Develop procedure for dog-dog introductions in the adoption process; train adoption/behavior staff in conducting introductions; and conduct introductions as needed.
Other Responsibilities
· Stay current on developments in the fields of dog training and behavior, cat behavior, and animal sheltering.
· Provide animal behavior advice to adopters and pet owners who contact the shelter seeking assistance with animal behavior issues, and/or refer them to other resources or experts.
To apply, submit resume and cover letter to Executive Director, Mary Tiefenbrunn, at director@cuhumane.org
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