Volunteer Program Manager (volunteer Services Program Manager)

Job Announcement

At the Fairfax County Animal Shelter, we are committed to providing the highest quality of care to the animals in our Shelter, while also working to tackle the root causes of pet homelessness and provide progressive pet support programs to our community. And we’re hiring! Are you an enthusiastic individual looking for a career where you can make a difference in the lives of animals and community members? We are hiring a Volunteer Program Manager!

The Volunteer Program Manager position will provide you with the opportunity to connect volunteers from our community with exciting volunteer opportunities in the Animal Shelter, helping more than 4,000 animals each year. This position will be responsible for managing our robust volunteer program, across two shelter campuses, to ensure volunteers have the training, support, and communication they need to help our organization achieve its mission.

Fairfax County Animal Shelter is the only open-access municipal Shelter located in Fairfax, Virginia, with a second Shelter location opening in Lorton this summer. Our Shelter has a live release rate of over 90% and we’re very proud of our excellent volunteer and foster programs, compassionate staff, progressive sheltering policies and practices, and our wonderful animal-loving community.

Responsibilities:

• Determines volunteer program needs by collaborating with Animal Shelter program managers and evaluates program effectiveness by developing and meeting goals and objectives.
• Formulates, recommends, and oversees the implementation of plans for the recruitment, screening, training, directing, and evaluation of Animal Shelter volunteers.
• Recruits, screens, trains, and manages volunteers for the Animal Shelter's programs including but not limited to kennel assistants, administrative assistants, cleaning assistants, post-adoption follow-ups, special events, adoption, adoption retention, animal training, and animal socialization.
• Utilizes and accurately maintains the Shelter’s volunteer program management software system.
• Ensures that volunteer position descriptions, onboarding materials, handbook, and other written materials involved in the volunteer program are accurate and up to date.
• Ensures that there are accurate records of program activities and creates and maintains relevant reports, spreadsheets, and other data on the volunteer program. Records relevant animal information in the Shelter’s management software system.
• Ensures volunteers receive regular communications and updates on Shelter activities and volunteer opportunities and events through the Shelter’s volunteer program management software system and other platforms.
• Evaluates volunteer performance and provides counseling on activity, including areas of concern.
• Supervises Volunteer Program Coordinator. Provides coaching, direction, and regular feedback on performance.
• Learns all aspects of Shelter operations to determine opportunities for volunteerism.
• Serves on the Shelter Management Team and Animal Review Team.
• Plans and participates in Outreach Team opportunities, events, and programs.
• Drives personal or county vehicles to participate in volunteer recruitment and outreach events and to transport supplies and/or volunteers to off-site events.
• May perform other related duties to meet the ongoing business needs of the organization.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 39.8% 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

Note: May be required to work shifts and/or be transferred to any Department of Animal Sheltering facility.

Salary: The salary offer will be in the minimum to midpoint ($56,957.47 to $75,943.71) of the advertised compensation range. Promotional rules apply for current Fairfax County Government and Fairfax County Public Schools employees.

Schedule: This position requires flexible scheduling for agency and program needs, including evenings and weekends, and to be available on occasional holidays.

Illustrative Duties

(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.)

Establishes and maintains liaisons with agency program managers to insure efficient and continued use of volunteers;
Prepares and presents speeches to civic and community organizations to promote volunteerism;
Coordinates annual plan of training offerings for volunteers and develops in-service training materials including program-specific manuals and resource materials for diverse volunteer workforce;
Supervises full performance level Volunteer Services Coordinators and volunteer positions;

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

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

Ability to supervise both professional level staff and volunteers effectively;
Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate program goals and objectives;
Demonstrated interpersonal and organizational skills;
Effective oral and written communication skills, including effective presentation skills.

Employment Standards

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 two years 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)

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• The appointee to the position will be required to complete a criminal background check and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Three years of progressively responsible volunteer coordination/management.
• Two years of supervisory experience.
• Experience in an animal welfare-related organization.
• Experience working with and handling animals, including orphaned, sick, injured, and behavioral-needs animals of various species.
• Experience with volunteer database Volgistics, including updating volunteer records, scheduling opportunities, designing web volunteer applications, and auditing schedule, volunteer hours, and communication pieces in the database.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
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 39.8% 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. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov. EEO/AA/TTY.
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