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Home My WebLink AboutVolunteer Program Assistant - Animal ServicesUpdated: August 2025 (Admin Review) CITY OF IOWA CITY – JOB DESCRIPTION Position Title: Volunteer Program Assistant - Animal Services Department: Police Division: Animal Services Supervisor: Animal Services Coordinator FLSA: Non-Exempt Civil Service: Yes Pay Grade: 4 Job Number: 0422 Job Summary Under general direction, coordinates the volunteer and foster care programs sponsored by Friends of the Animal Center Foundation including recruitment, training and scheduling of program volunteers. Organizes outreach activities. Assists other division staﬀ as needed. Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned. • Recruit volunteers using the website, print media, community calendars, public speaking, attendance at community meetings and other events. • Orients, schedules, and serves as initial primary contact and resource for 65-200 volunteers including fosters. • Maintains volunteer database and schedule using Volgistics online software. • Monitors foster program application process, training and record keeping. • Monitors home inspections. • Accurately and thoroughly tracks volunteer and foster hours and prepares reports as needed. • Communicates regularly with volunteers and fosters through weekly updates via email, phone, face to face conversations, the white board, shelter signage and check lists. • Plans and coordinates volunteer recognition program and special events for the Friends of the Animal Center Foundation and Animal Services Division such as the annual dog paddle, Holiday with the Hounds and other events. • Attends outreach and special events as needed. • Answers the telephone, dispatches calls to Animal Control Oﬃcers and JECC via phone calls, provides customer service to walk in visitors as well as phone and/or electronic inquiries. • Assists other staﬀ with all aspects of animal center operations as needed including providing animal physical and behavioral care, bathing and cleaning of animal housing areas and overall facility. • Conducts self in a professional manner which demonstrates courtesy and respect for all community members and coworkers. • Performs other duties as assigned. Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review) Minimum Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other • High school education or G.E.D. or pursuit of degree and one to three months of related experience or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in general oﬃce/clerical work, animal care, and handling. • Valid State of Iowa driver's license with satisfactory driving record. Must be 18 years of age. Must pass criminal background check. Preferred Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other • High school education or G.E.D. and four to six months of related experience or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in public speaking. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities • Ability to add and subtract two-digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10's and 100's. • Ability to administer medications. • Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. • Ability to be comfortable around animals and able to handle fractious animals at times. • Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. • Ability to disseminate educational information to the public relating to the center’s mission. • Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization. • Ability to multitask and work directly with the public in very emotional, sometimes highly charged environment. • Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and eﬀectively delegate. • Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance. • Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. • Ability to reliably and predictably carry out duties. • Ability to work both independently and as a team in a very busy, hectic, high stress environment. • Ability to work in a very busy, hectic, high stress environment. • Ability to write simple correspondence. • Knowledge of animal care and animal behavior. • Skill in excellent public relations experience, be public service oriented and believe in the mission of the division. • Skill in excellent written and verbal communication. • Skill in using computers and applicable software applications (Microsoft Oﬃce – Word, Excel, Outlook). Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review) Supervision No supervision of direct reports. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. The employee regularly lifts and/or moves 10 pounds, occasionally will lift and/or move 50 pounds, and will occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds with assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Hand dexterity, balance and strength are essential in performing treatments on animals and during animal handling. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts, high or precarious places, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, vibration, confined space, and traffic hazards. The employee is regularly exposed to outside weather condition, dampness, direct sunlight, dust, pollen, insect stings, and animals. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to work closely with both domestic and wild animals and will be exposed to related hazards. The employee is regularly exposed to communicable and Zoonotic diseases. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. Involves moderate exposure to dangerous situations. Involves moderate exposure to stress due to the work environment and/or crisis situations. Iowa City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as Amended, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. Reviewed/Approved by: Dustin Liston, Police Chief (4/2024) Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review) I have read and understand the duties of this job description, and I agree that I can perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable accommodation. Employee Date ________________________________ __________________