Community Outreach Associate

Salary $31.60 - $37.76 Hourly $65,728.00 - $78,534.56 Annually Bilingual allowance, when applicable Are you passionate about helping animals and connecting community members with vital services? Join our Animal Services team and help improve the lives of pets and the people who care for them. As a Community Outreach Associate, you will engage directly with residents, provide public education, and help expand access to services throughout Santa Barbara County. This position coordinates programs related to owner surrender prevention and diversion, pet food assistance, licensing, community canvassing, humane trapping, and pet‑owner support. The Community Outreach Associate also leads volunteer teams, builds relationships with community partners, and helps identify practical solutions that keep pets safe, healthy, and with the people who love them. We are looking for an enthusiastic, community‑minded problem solver who can build trust, work collaboratively, and adapt to a dynamic, fast‑paced environment. This is an opportunity to join a mission‑driven team and make a meaningful difference for animals and families every day. We are accepting applications to fill one (1) full‑time, 1414* Community Outreach Associate position in the Animal Services division at County of Santa Barbara Health. The incumbent will home‑base at the Santa Maria Animal Shelter but will be expected to travel throughout the county. The County classification for this role is Health Education Associate . *CSR 1414 (Leave of Absence): This recruitment is to fill a position vacated as a result of a leave of absence (CSR 1414) and the duration of the appointment shall be subject to the return of the individual who is on leave. A person who is appointed to a position under CSR 1414 may be able to transition into a regular position in the classification without re‑application or re‑testing, depending on the performance of the appointee and the needs of the department. We are also accepting applications to establish one employment list that will be used to fill current and future full‑time, part‑time, extra help and 1414* vacancies in multiple locations including Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc. Animal Services has shelters in Santa Barbara, Lompoc, and Santa Maria, and this position can be home‑based at any of those locations. However, applicants must be willing to travel to and work at all three shelters. To be considered, all applicants must check \"ALL LOCATIONS\" in the location section of the application. Visa Sponsorship: Please note this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment. Benefits: The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits, to view more information. In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for: Retirement reciprocity Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate CSR 1414 Benefit Information: The 1414 position is eligible for full‑time benefits. The Position The Community Outreach Associate works at the intersection of public health, animal welfare, and community support, bringing a holistic approach to help pets and the people who care for them. Through public education, outreach events, and preventive care programs, the Community Outreach Associate helps reduce the spread of diseases such as rabies, distemper, parvovirus, panleukopenia, and rabbit haemorrhagic disease. The position also works to increase pet licensing compliance, microchip placement and registration, vaccination access, and awareness of available animal services. The Community Outreach Associate develops and implements strategies that help pets remain safely with their families. This may include coordinating pet resource centers, vaccine and spay/neuter clinics, community canvassing, educational materials, media outreach, and partnerships with public agencies and community organizations. This position works independently and collaboratively with Animal Control Officers, animal care staff, volunteers, veterinary staff, shelter leadership, and partner organizations. Responsibilities may also include pet‑owner case management, disaster preparedness and response, and connecting residents with resources that address barriers to responsible pet care. Plans, coordinates, and conducts community education, outreach events, orientations, workshops, clinics, and demonstrations related to animal health, responsible pet care, licensing, disaster preparedness, and available community resources. Coordinates programs that support pet owners and help animals remain safely with their families, including owner‑surrender prevention and diversion, pet food assistance, vaccination and microchip clinics, spay and neuter services, humane trapping, and referrals to community resources. Conducts community canvassing and other outreach activities to increase pet licensing, microchip placement and registration, vaccination access, and awareness of Animal Services programs. Provides individualized support and case management to pet owners by assessing needs, identifying available resources, developing practical service plans, documenting contacts, and following up as appropriate. Recruits, trains, schedules, leads, and supports volunteers assisting with outreach, events, clinics, pet resource programs, canvassing, and other assigned activities. Establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with community organizations, public agencies, veterinary providers, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and professional groups to support the development and delivery of animal health and community‑assistance programs. Assists with planning and operating vaccine clinics, spay and neuter clinics, pet resource centers, licensing events, and other public‑facing services. Collects, enters, analyzes, and reports program data to evaluate participation, outcomes, community needs, and the effectiveness of outreach strategies and educational materials. Conducts surveys, reviews community data, and gathers feedback from residents, staff, volunteers, and partner organizations to identify service gaps and inform program development. Maintains accurate written and electronic records, including participant information, referrals, case notes, licensing activity, inventory, volunteer participation, program outcomes, and service statistics. Assists with media outreach and communication strategies that promote public health, responsible pet ownership, available services, and Animal Services programs. Works closely with Animal Control Officers, animal care staff, veterinary staff, volunteers, shelter leadership, and partner agencies on complex cases, community concerns, and coordinated service delivery. Supports animal‑related disaster preparedness and response activities, including public education, volunteer coordination, resource distribution, community outreach, and emergency sheltering operations. Performs other related duties as assigned. Equivalent to two (2) years of college including coursework in health education, sociology, home economics, biology, psychology, or education; AND , One year of experience in community health or a related service; OR , A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to the employment standard listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities. Additional Qualifications: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License may be requested as travel throughout the County is a requirement for this role. Knowledge of: community organizations and resources; group dynamics and human behavior; community outreach techniques; community health needs; the control of diseases; the methods of presenting educational materials; proper English usage and grammar. Ability to: effectively communicate program information to a wide range of people; gain support and cooperation from other agencies and the community; identify health education needs and projects; conduct and facilitate group presentations; establish and maintain working relationships with individuals from diverse socio‑economic and ethnic backgrounds. Bilingual – Speaking Preferred: The ability to converse fluently in English and Spanish is preferred. Note: You must self‑certify on your application that you are fluent in English and Spanish. Hiring departments may test you on your fluency. If you do not demonstrate sufficient fluency, your name may be withheld from future certifications that require bilingual skills, in accordance to Civil Service Rules. Animal Shelter Locations:

1. Santa Maria Animal Shelter, 548 W Foster Rd, Santa Maria, CA 93455
2. Santa Barbara Animal Shelter, 5473 Overpass Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93111
3. Lompoc Animal Shelter, 1501 W Central Ave, Lompoc, CA 93436

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