Description

Status: Full-Time
FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt
Location: On-site  
Schedule: Flexible. Some evenings and weekends required.
Starting Pay Range: $19-21

Who We Are

Animal Friends has been serving the Pittsburgh region for more than 80 years, working at the intersection of animal welfare and community care. Founded in 1943, we are a companion animal resource organization dedicated to saving lives, strengthening the animal–human bond, and supporting pets and the people who love them.

Our 75-acre campus is home to a wide range of programs and services — including adoption, affordable veterinary care, behavior and training, humane education, pet-assisted therapy, and a pet food bank — that together impact more than 200,000 lives each year. By providing access, education, and proactive support, we help pets and families thrive and build healthier communities.

At Animal Friends, caring for animals and caring for people go hand in hand. We are committed to creating a compassionate, inclusive, and healthy workplace where team members feel supported, valued, and connected to our mission. We believe collaboration, empathy, and continuous learning are essential to doing meaningful work — and to showing up for one another every day.

Position Summary:

The Volunteer & Community Engagement Coordinator is a mission-driven, community-facing leader who builds meaningful pathways for people to engage with Animal Friends. This role serves as a connective hub between volunteers, staff and the public — championing volunteerism as a vital expression of compassion, service and stewardship for animals.

Through strategic coordination, relationship-building and hands-on presence in the Welcome Center, the Coordinator activates volunteers as ambassadors of the Animal Friends mission while ensuring every visitor experience reflects the organization’s values, professionalism and commitment to care. Working cross-organizationally, this role partners with departments to design impactful volunteer opportunities, supports front-of-house operations and cultivates an inclusive, welcoming environment for all who enter the Resource Center and Animal Wellness Center.

Essential Functions:

• Serve as a visible, mission-aligned representative of Animal Friends by creating welcoming, inclusive and engaging experiences for volunteers, visitors and community partners.
• Implement volunteer engagement practices in partnership with the Volunteer Program Manager, ensuring day-to-day activities align with organizational strategy and animal welfare standards.
• Recruit, onboard, train and support individual and group volunteers (including corporate, academic, and community partners) positioning volunteers as informed, compassionate ambassadors of the Animal Friends mission.
• Conduct and facilitate hands-on volunteer training, including safe and humane handling of dogs, cats and rabbits, in accordance with established protocols and in collaboration with the behavior care staff.
• Serve as a front-line resource for volunteers by reinforcing expectations, modeling appropriate behavior and escalating concerns to the Volunteer Program Manager as appropriate.
• Coordinate and oversee volunteer greeters and front-of-house volunteer activity, ensuring the Welcome Center experience reflects Animal Friends’ values, professionalism and commitment to animal well-being.
• Foster a culture of belonging, accountability and appreciation among volunteers through regular communication, coaching and recognition.
• Utilize the volunteer management system to track participation, training completion and engagement, support data accuracy and user navigation.
• Coordinate orientations, trainings, days of service, outreach activities and volunteer participation in events.
• Partner with internal departments to support programmatic and operational volunteer needs, serving as a connector between staff and volunteers.
• Support Welcome Center operations, including visitor engagement, merchandise inventory and logistical coordination for on-site meetings and events.
• Share observations, trends and feedback related to volunteer engagement and training effectiveness with the Volunteer Program Manager to support continuous improvement.
• Represent Animal Friends at community events and volunteer recruitment activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the mission and operational success of Animal Friends. 

What We Offer:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off, holidays, and birthday pay
• Retirement plan with employer contribution
• Employee Assistance Program
• Continuing education and professional development opportunities
• Pet care discounts and on-site clinic benefits
• A mission-driven team and meaningful work that makes a real impact

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum of two years of experience in volunteer coordination, animal welfare support, program delivery, training or a closely related role.
• Experience facilitating trainings, orientations or instructional sessions; comfort leading hands-on, people-centered learning environments.
• Demonstrated ability to safely handle animals or learn species-specific handling techniques; experience with dogs, cats and/or small mammals preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust, reinforce expectations and maintain clear boundaries with volunteers and the public.
• Ability to interpret and apply established policies, procedures and animal care standards consistently.
• Experience collaborating with multiple departments or stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; ability to manage multiple priorities with calm and professionalism.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and creating welcoming environments.
• Emotional intelligence and sound judgment when working in dynamic, public-facing environments involving people and animals.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, occasional evenings and special events.
• Ability to meet physical demands of the role, including lifting up to 50 pounds and working in an active, animal-focused environment.
• Must possess or be able to obtain required Pennsylvania background clearances.
• Demonstrated alignment with the mission, vision and values of Animal Friends.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Coursework or experience in nonprofit work, animal welfare, education, communications or community engagement preferred.

Physical, Environmental & Emotional Demands:

This position:

• Requires the ability to stand, walk, bend, and lift up to 50 lbs
• Involves exposure to animals, noise, cleaning agents, and indoor/outdoor environments
• May involve emotionally challenging situations related to animal welfare
• Requires the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)

Reasonable accommodations will be provided in accordance with applicable laws. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: