Animal Care Program Coordinator, (A247610-10), 207, Animal Care & Facility

The Program Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating animal shelter functions related to animal adoptions, marketing, and outreach for Laredo Animal Care Services. Will serve as team lead and implement all education efforts, and coordinate education activities with other local, state, federal, and non-governmental organization individuals, directly, or indirectly involved in achieving the City's animal educational goals.ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Becomes familiar with the animals available for adoption by getting to know their personalities and interacting with kennel staff to get insight into the animal they handle on a daily basis.
• Understands and shares shelter adoption policies with rescue organizations to proactively ensure all organizations are aware of restrictions and protocols throughout the process.
• Plans rescue organization transfers and fosters communications/transactions.
• Recruits new organizations and maintain relationships with both current and prospective animal fosters and rescue organizations.
• Assists in the development, preparation, and revision of community based informational materials, while coordinating with other community workers, for dissemination and presentations at schools, seminars, workshops, and other group locations.
• Assists in the creation, development, and enhancement of skills building methodologies and educational tools to further understand and address issues regarding animal issues.
• Conducts outreach and community based animal education presentations to groups and/or individuals, at local schools within (both school districts) workplaces.
• Prepares animal education and training programs which include individual or group training services and follow up visits.
• Conducts awareness education on priority local animal issues and creates animal awareness with the public and City departments.
• Operates technical audio/visual equipment aids for media use.
• Assists other personnel in planning, combining, and carrying out the educational components of intra- or inter-agency programs, and serves as liaison for the department with other agencies for animal education and promotion activities and services.
• Attends training sessions to learn or refine any skills related to working with people on animal issues.
• Works with the City's Public Access Channel and other local media outlets (radio, TV, print media) in order to disseminate information on animal issues and zoonotic risk reduction efforts.
• Is responsible for developing and assisting in the improvement of existing active or non-active educational programs in order to maximize the program materials' effectiveness in educating schools, community, businesses, and other organizational groups.
• Will be required to drive a City vehicle for City business use.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES
Knowledge of:

• Knowledge and experience in community based culturally appropriate education strategies, risk reduction communication, focus group development, mass marketing strategies, and community based training.
• Knowledge of community resources and the ability to obtain cooperation and coordination of resources through memorandums of understanding and cooperative agreements.
• Knowledge of zoonotic disease and their effects.
• Knowledge of zoonotic education operations implementation in an appropriate culturally and community-based manner.
• Knowledge and experience in the implementation and planning of marketing, outreach, education, and community based training strategies.
• Knowledge and experience for recruiting community and provider participation.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to plan, establish, and maintain effective program activities as well as professional working relationships with others.
• Ability to address groups in a positive and professional manner while maintaining confidentiality.
• Ability to use private vehicle for in-town travel and maintain automobile insurance.
• Ability to take and follow directions from supervisor.
• Ability to give directions to and gain compliance from assigned staff.
• Ability to perform strenuous and routine work.
• Ability to maintain a valid Texas Driver License and a good driving record.
• Ability to maintain harmonious and effective working relationships with other employees and respond to general public complaints.
• Ability to project a positive and professional image of the City of Laredo.
• Ability to comply with all City of Laredo policies and procedures.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing in the English language and orally in the Spanish language.
• Ability to maintain good health and physical condition sufficient to permit the full performance of the duties of the position.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Physical Effort Requirements
Position will have the following exposures

• Occasional exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions and/or hazards. Occasional outside work.
• Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly having to move objects.

Work Environment Locations
Position will require the employee to work in the following types of work environments
Never

• Construction site

Seldom

• Street environment (near moving traffic)
• Warehouse environment

Sometimes

• Confined space
• Vehicles

Frequently

• Outdoor environment

Often

• Office or similar indoor environment

Exposures
Position will require the employee to be exposed to the following environmental elements
Seldom

• Individuals with known violent backgrounds
• Moving mechanical parts

Sometimes

• Individuals who are hostile or irate
• Extreme cold (below 32 degrees)
• Extreme heat (above 100 degrees)

Frequently

• Communicable diseases
• Fumes or airborne particles
• Toxic or caustic chemicals or substances
• Loud noises (85+ decibels such as heavy trucks, jack hammers, construction)

Travel
Position will require the employee to travel
Never

• National travel
• International travel

Seldom

• Regional travel

Frequently

• Local travel

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited* college or university in Business Administration, Communications, Political Science, or related field.
• At least three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in education and/ or administration.

OR

• Associate's degree from an accredited* college or university in Business Administration, Communications, Political Science, or related field.
• At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in program coordination, community outreach, and project management.

*Council of Higher Education Accreditation (C.H.E.A.)Valid Texas Driver License. If applicant holds an out-of-state license, a State of Texas Driver License must be obtained within 6 months of employment.
As part of the minimum requirements for all positions with the City of Laredo, a thorough background check and certified school transcripts will be required from all applicants who are offered employment.

Effective February 24, 1997, all selected applicants are required to undergo a drug and alcohol test prior to employment.

Effective January 7, 2008, all persons in safety-sensitive functions/positions, as per City of Laredo Drug and Alcohol Policy definition, shall be subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

A person with a disability who needs a reasonable accommodation related to a selection process is requested to contact the Human Resources Department at (956) 791-7480, two days prior to the scheduled interview and/or test if applicable.

Employment Type: Full-time