Volunteer Program Specialist II

The Position

The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city’s historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees.

Why join the City of Oakland Animal Services Department?
Oakland Animal Services (OAS) is Oakland’s only “open admissions” shelter. This means we take animals regardless of age, breed, temperament, or medical condition. In 2023, we took in over 7,200 animals. We are a City agency that proudly provides public safety and animal welfare services, as well as human health and social services. We are here to serve our community's residents. OAS has established foster programs for dogs, cats, and rabbits, an excellent adoption program, and help from numerous transfer partners. In 2023, more than 94% of the animals that came to OAS had a live release.

Being a part of OAS provides the unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on both the community and the animals in our care. As a key member of OAS, you’ll play a vital role in fostering a compassionate and supportive environment where volunteers and staff work together to improve the lives of animals. You’ll have the chance to develop and manage volunteer programs that align with our mission to provide high-quality care and services for animals while also ensuring that our efforts are inclusive and accessible to Oakland’s diverse population. Your skills in volunteer management, conflict resolution, and community outreach will create a positive experience for everyone involved.

As a part of OAS, you’ll be part of a dedicated group of professionals committed to making a difference, not only for the animals we serve but also for the volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to this important cause. Your work will help build a stronger, more engaged community, and provide you with the satisfaction of knowing that your contributions are helping to improve the lives of animals and people alike.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Eager to collaborate with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Passionate about creating and refining programs, as well as developing processes, trainings, and instructions to ensure their success.
• Skilled at naturally connecting with others and fostering strong working relationships.
• Able to approach difficult situations and conflicts with fairness and objectivity.
• Able to thrive in fast-paced environments and adapt easily to constant change.
• Deeply committed to animals and dedicated to expanding a volunteer program that maximizes our ability to help them.
• Highly organized with a strong attention to detail.

What you'll typically be responsible for:

• Recruiting, onboarding, and training volunteers while recognizing and engaging them effectively.
• Providing clear instructions and guidelines to ensure successful volunteer activities.
• Offering constructive performance feedback to volunteers, as needed.
• Facilitating communication and coordination between staff and volunteers.
• Overseeing daily scheduling for volunteers.
• Keeping precise and current records of volunteer activities.
• Contributing to developing and implementing new processes and changes for volunteers.
• Acting as the main contact for all volunteer-related inquiries.

Read the complete job description by clicking this ** Volunteer Program Specialist II **
*Click on the link below to see a video on what it's like to work for the City of Oakland!
Working for the City of Oakland

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You'll be joining a passionate and dedicated team of animal lovers, both volunteers and staff, committed to making a difference.
• You'll make a significant impact by managing volunteers and developing scalable programs to help even more animals.
• You will be empowering volunteers to acquire new skills and deepen their knowledge of animal care and handling.
• You will be shaping innovative approaches to enhance the quality of life for shelter animals, from enrichment programs to creative adoption strategies.
• You will work in a lively environment surrounded by a variety of animals, including puppies, kittens, dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and pigeons.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You will need to navigate and harmonize complex relationships between staff and volunteers.
• You may need to achieve ambitious goals with limited resources and minimal supervision.
• You may need to provide clear guidance and instructions to volunteers, even when information is scarce or ambiguous.
• You may need to manage a large, crucial team of volunteers, understanding that they’re not employees and may have varying availability or preferences.

Competencies Required:

• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter expertise to the job
• Action & Results Focused (Taking Initiative): Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment
• Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Establishing Credibility: Doing what one commits to doing and respecting the confidentiality of information and concerns shared by others.
• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
• Innovative Problem Solving: Identifying and analyzing problems in order to propose new and better ways of doing things
• Informing: Proactively obtaining and sharing information
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Handling & Resolving Conflict: Managing interpersonally strained situations
• Interpersonal Savvy: Considering and responding appropriately to the needs and feelings of others in different situations

Minimum Requirements for Application

This recruitment will produce two eligible lists. The restricted list will be for full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City and Port of Oakland employees who meet the minimum qualifications. The open list will be for all other applicants who meet the minimum qualifications.

Experience:
Two years of progressively responsible experience as or equivalent to Volunteer Program Specialist I or other closely related experience including job training, classroom management, job development and personnel.

Education:
Bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration or a closely related field.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience working with animals in a shelter environment.
• Experience with managing large groups of people.
• Experience with adult learning principals and developing training program s for an adult audience.

Supplemental Information

The Recruitment Process:

The City of Oakland works with a Civil Service system. Applicants apply online, and HR staff reviews their experience, education, and training listed on the application against the “minimum qualifications” listed for each position.

Candidates who demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements are then invited to participate in an assessment process (or testing) to measure their knowledge, skills, and abilities in job-related areas.

Candidates who do not demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements will have an opportunity to request a final review. Candidates must request a final review within 5 business days of being notified that they did not meet the minimum qualifications.

In the final review, candidates may clarify information already provided on their application. No additional work history, education, or certifications will be accepted. Any decisions made during this review process will be final.

For this recruitment, all qualified applicants will be sent a writing exercise, which will then be evaluated and rated by subject matter experts. The tentative date that the writing exercise will be sent to you for completion is the last week of October.

For some recruitments, more than one type of assessment may be used. Depending on the number of candidates who pass the first assessment (multiple-choice test, structured interview, writing exercise, performance exam) you may be asked to complete a secondary assessment before the recruitment is finalized. If a secondary assessment is scheduled, you will be notified by email with specific details. If a secondary assessment is not scheduled, department hiring interviews will occur during this time frame.

Candidates who pass each stage in the process will be placed on an eligible list. Some candidates may receive extra points, for example, if you are a Veteran with an honorable discharge, or if you are a current City of Oakland resident. If you’re applying to a “restricted” posting and you are eligible as a current City employee, you may also receive additional points for your City service. Extra points are only applied to passing scores, so if you do not pass every element of the testing process, you cannot use extra points to pass.

The City of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process and date of examination as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

What’s in it for you?

• 15 paid holidays
• Vacation: 2 weeks per year minimum with the ability to accrue more depending on public sector years of service
• Retirement: CalPERS (California Public Employees’ Retirement System) with a pension formula of 2.5% @ 55 (for Classic CalPERS members) and 2% @ 62 for new CalPERS members. Classic Employees contribute 8% of pre-tax wages. The City of Oakland does not participate in Social Security
• Health: The City of Oakland pays the full cost of employee and eligible dependent coverage at the Kaiser rate. Other plans include Anthem, Blue Shield, United Health Care, and other HMO and PPO plans
• Dental: Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents
• Vision: VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents
• Sick leave: Employees accrue 12 days per year
• Deferred Compensation: 457(b) pre-tax plan and an after-tax ROTH 401(k)plan
• Other benefits include a Flexible Spending Account, Wellness Program, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement, Life Insurance up to $200k & Employee Training.

Applicants are required to submit criminal history information upon request after receiving a conditional offer of employment. If the requested information is not furnished in a timely manner, applicants will not qualify for further consideration and will be removed from the eligible list.

Disaster Service Workers
All employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

How to Apply
Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least two to three hours to submit your application if you are a new user of the system. APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY. You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at:
http://agency.governmentjobs.com/oaklandca/default.cfm.

If you do not have access to a computer, there are computer stations available at any City of Oakland Public Library. There are also workstations at the Human Resources Management Department, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612. Workstations are available during regular business hours (normally 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Our online application system is provided by GovernmentJobs. If you have problems while applying online, please contact GovernmentJobs Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday. You may also call the City of Oakland Human Resources Management Department during regular business hours at (510) 238-3112 for information; however, we are unable to provide technical support for the online application system. For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Briana Wong, HR Analyst at bwong@oaklandca.gov.

The City of Oakland is committed to the wellbeing of its employees and offers comprehensive health and wellness services along with an array of other benefits for most positions. Benefits may include*:

• CalPERS Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Medical Waiver Plan - Cash-In-Lieu
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Commuter Benefits
• Group & Supplemental Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH)
• Pension Benefits
• Deferred Compensation

* Specific benefits may vary depending on the assignedspecific bargaining unit. Information regarding most benefits can be reviewed here: Employee Benefits Information Current MOUs may be reviewed here: City of Oakland Labor Agreements

Closing Date/Time: 10/13/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

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• City of Oakland

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