Community Support Coordinator - Spanish proficiency required - Animal Welfare League Of Alexandria : Job Details

JOB SUMMARY: The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria's (AWLA) Community Support Team works in the City of Alexandria (the City) to proactively assist pet owners who need assistance to care for their animals due to underlying systemic issues such as poverty, lack of access to resources, domestic violence, medical or mental health challenges. The goals of the program are to keep pets and people together, improve animal and community welfare and to support partnerships between the AWLA, other City agencies and nonprofits. In those cases where keeping the pet with their person is not viable, the Community Support Team assists in rehoming efforts both directly from the home and via the AWLA's adoption program.The role of the Community Support Coordinator is to support the efforts of the team by assisting those who have been identified as in need of the resources the AWLA can provide. This support will include all aspects of the rehoming process as well as all pet retention efforts including pet pantry requests, transportation to veterinary appointments, and pet food delivery. The coordinator will continue to provide ongoing support and case management for pets and their families. Additionally the Coordinator will assist in the preparation and implementation of community based wellness events throughout the City and the AWLA's monthly low cost vaccine clinic; and will provide support to trap-neuter-return programs throughout the City.The Coordinator must be proficient in written and spoken English and Spanish.Organizational Relationships:This position is supervised by : Director of Community ProgramsEssential functions of the job include;Intake diversion/pet rehoming

• Responding to rehome requests
• Monitoring and sending rehome emails (initial, OOJ resources, appointment confirmations, etc.)
• Monitoring and scheduling rehome requests
• Following up to get home history filled out etc.
• Offering resources
• Tracking rehome requests
• Checking rehome voicemails
• Being PoC for rehome requests on Sundays and Mondays when Community Support Manager or Director of Community Programs are not available
• Helping front desk staff with intaking the animal
• Home To Home website - monitoring, approving, editing, providing feedback and support.

Program Outreach and Engagement

• Assist with administration and day to day operations related to the AWLA's community support programs including AniMeals, the Community Pet Pantry, monthly vaccine and microchip clinics, the Crisis Care program, emergency veterinary assistance, grooming assistance, the Trap-Neuter-Return program for community cats, and the Community Spay and Neuter Assistance program, among other initiatives
• Forge relationships with community members to ensure knowledge of available services and connect to appropriate agencies.
• Coordinate medical and grooming appointments and transportation to appointments for owned animals
• Support the coordination of the logistics and facilitation of wellness events and other in-community events
• Attend outreach events that benefit partnerships between the AWLA and other City agencies (Community Cookouts, ALIVE! Food Distribution events, Domestic Violence Awareness, etc).
• Under guidance, facilitate partnerships with community-based organizations, government agencies and faith based organizations in the City of Alexandria, as well as, advocate for the integration of pet-related services within existing delivery systems
• Collaborate with other AWLA departments to ensure access to services (for clients) and program goals (for AWLA programs).

Other Duties/Functions

• Keep detailed records of all program participants and services received
• Communicate regularly with Senior Staff to ensure they are aware of program changes and successes
• Participate in staff meetings to share ideas and suggestions
• Participate and attend community outreach events in support of the AWLA mission
• Perform other duties as requested to ensure the internal and external well-being of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria

RequirementsPosition SpecificationsRequired:

• BILINGUAL - Fluent in written and spoken English and Spanish
• Bachelor's Degree or relevant experience
• Minimum 2 years experience in a professional work environment
• Strong office suite and data entry skills.
• Friendly and approachable, ability to speak with people from all walks of life in a non-judgemental manner
• Committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
• Proven ability to handle multiple tasks in a busy workplace environment
• Understanding of humane care and treatment of animals
• Strong customer service skills and the ability to maintain a professional appearance and demeanor at all times
• Valid Driver's License
• Sunday shifts are mandatory. Saturdays as needed to cover events.

Preferred:

• Comfort with handling animals
• Experience working or volunteering in an animal shelter environment
• Experience working with human service providing nonprofit organizations

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, laundry machine, dryer, cleaning supplies, and cargo vans

Work hours:

• Regular Sunday thru Thursday
• 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 as well as collaboratively - 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 League's policies and philosophies

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.COMPENSATION:The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria offers an excellent benefits package and competitive compensation. The AWLA provides health care, dental, and vision coverage, a retirement plan, and additional employee benefits. Pay will be commensurate with experience.