Community Outreach Associate

Community Outreach Associate

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 homebase 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.

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 hemorrhagic 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.

The Santa Barbara County Animal Services (SBCAS) Division operates three open admission animal shelters serving nearly 6,000 pets annually across all of Santa Barbara County with the exception of the City of Carpinteria. We provide field and shelter services, adoption and lost and found programs, and have a very robust volunteer program. We also lead Project Pet Safe in coordination with partners, which promotes responsible pet ownership through vaccination, licensing, spay and neuter, and microchipping of pets.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• An understanding of the human-animal bond and the barriers that may affect a family's ability to care for a pet.
• Two or more years of experience in customer service or community-facing experience.
• Two or more years of experience working or volunteering with an animal welfare organization, animal shelter, veterinary clinic, public health agency, social-service organization, or related program.
• Two or more years of experience leading volunteers, coaching teams, coordinating community groups, or supervising staff
• Demonstrated experience planning, implementing, and evaluating programs or projects
• Experience using Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, databases, or similar software systems.
• The ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and adapt to a dynamic environment.
• Fluency in Spanish, including speaking, reading, and writing, which is highly desirable.