Community Outreach Associate

Salary : $65,728.00 - $78,534.56 Annually
Location : County of Santa Barbara - All locations, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-3903-02 (1414/CHD)
Department: County Health Department
Opening Date: 08/06/2026
Closing Date: 8/20/2026 5:00 PM Pacific


Description
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 o ne (1) full-time, 1414* Community Outreach Associate position in the A nimal 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.

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 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.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: Incumbents will learn to conduct public health education classes, and will assist with other program activities in a specialized area, such as dental disease prevention, obstetrics, tobacco prevention, car passenger safety, animal regulation, and AIDS services.

Health Education Associate is distinguished from Health Education Associate, Senior by the Senior's additional responsibility for assisting a health professional with program administrative functions.

THE DIVISION:
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.

to learn more about the County of Santa Barbara Public Health Department Animal Services.

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


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.

Examples of Duties

• 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.

Employment Standards


Equivalent to two (2) years of college including coursework in health education, sociology, home economics, biology, psychology, or education; AND ,

1. One year of experience in community health or a related service; OR ,
2. 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.

Supplemental Information
APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS :

1. Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment
2. Supplemental Questionnaire Rating - Responses to the required examination supplemental questions will be evaluated and scored. Candidates' final score and rank on the eligibility list will be determined by the responses to these questions. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than 11 qualified candidates.

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the Supplemental Questionnaire Rating to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule 6. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the examination, rank on the employment list, and duration of the employment list.


REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of accommodation needed from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

Recruiters will correspond with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.

County Health Department (County Health) requires all employees working in direct contact with patients or clients in a high-risk environment to comply with the County Health Employee Immunizations policy. This can be accomplished by providing documentation of immunizations, submitting laboratory immune titers demonstrating adequate immunity, or obtaining required vaccinations . A list of requirements, based on the specific program, will be sent at the time an offer letter is presented to the selected candidate(s) and initial documentation will be required at this time.

Conditional Job Offer: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidate will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. The appointee may be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.

Disaster Service Workers: Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance. The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates. The County has a longstanding practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.


APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: 08/20/2026 at 4:59 p.m. PST; postmarks not accepted. Applications and job postings can be obtained 24 hours a day at
Farrah Medrano, County Health Talent Acquisition Lead -
Retirement Plans

• Generous County Defined Benefit Plan
• Eligible to participate in 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan
• Retirement Reciprocity with CalPERS, CalSTRS, and 1937 Act plans
• For more information on our retirement plans, please visit: and

Health Benefits

• Choice of dental, vision and medical plans. In addition to the Benefit Allowance noted above, the County contributes toward medical premiums and dental premiums
• On-Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria which provide ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and their eligible dependents
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers free, confidential assistance with personal and workplace problems to employees and their immediate family members
• Healthcare Advocacy Program to help employees navigate the complexities of health plan benefits
• Available Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account (HSA), Supplemental Term or Whole Life Insurance, Personal Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance and more!
• For more information on our health benefits, please visit:

Paid Time Off

• Vacation Leave 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment
• Sick Leave 12 days annually with unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement
• Paid Holidays based on bargaining unit (view the compensation summary for this bargaining unit, link below)
• Alternative Transportation Benefit (TDM) up to 2 days of additional vacation for using alternative methods of commuting
• For more information on Paid Time Off please view the Compensation Summary for this bargaining unit (available below)

Miscellaneous Benefits

• County Paid Term Life Insurance
• County Paid Long Term Disability Insurance
• Childcare and Employee Discounts
• Relocation Assistance may apply
• Flexible work schedule may apply
• For more information on all of these benefits, please visit:

Compensation Summary

• To view the Compensation Summary specific to the bargaining unit for this position (link to full Memorandum of Understanding also available at bottom of the summary), please visit:

*This benefits list is for convenience only; please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding for complete details of terms and conditions. Amounts are generally prorated for part-time employment.
01


To be considered for this position your application must CLEARLY state how you meet the requirements under EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS on the Job Bulletin or you will not be considered for this position. If you are unsure, go back and review your application before continuing. The first qualification for this job class is "Equivalent to two years of college including coursework in health education, sociology, home economics, biology, psychology, or education" Do you meet this employment standard?

• Yes, I have equivalent to two (2) years of college including coursework in health education, sociology, home economics, biology, psychology, or education.
• No, I DO NOT have the equivalent to two (2) years of college including coursework in health education, sociology, home economics, biology, psychology, or education and will not be considered for this position.

02


If you selected "I have equivalent to two (2) years of college including coursework in health education, sociology, home economics, biology, psychology, or education" for the previous question, please list below your college coursework that qualifies you for this position. Please list this information in the following format: Name of college course, number of semester or quarter units, college/institution. In addition to providing the information here, you may also attach a copy of your transcripts. Example: Psychology 101, 4 semester units, Santa Barbara City CollegeIf this question does not apply to you, please enter "N/A" in the box below.
03


In addition, the second requirement of the Employment Standards is "One (1) year of experience in community health or a related service." Which EMPLOYMENT STANDARD does your application CLEARLY demonstrate:

• One (1) year of experience in community health or a related service.
• A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to the employment standard listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.
• None of the above - I DO NOT qualify for this position.

04


If you selected "A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed..." for the preceding supplemental question, please describe in detail your combined training, education, and experience that qualifies you for this position.
05


The current vacancy will be homebased in Santa Maria but will REQUIRE travel throughout the County for Full-Time employment. Please make sure you check the locations and work schedules on your application that you want to be considered for current and future vacancies.

• I understand.

06


Please indicate which of the following language(s) you are fluent and your level of proficiency. The current vacancy prefers bilingual English/Spanish - Speak, Read and Write abilities. Speaking abilities in Mixteco are also desired. Please select all that apply.

• Spanish-Speak Only
• Spanish-Speak and Read
• Spanish-Speak, Read and Write
• Mixteco-Speak Only
• I AM NOT bilingual in Spanish nor Mixteco.

07


The following questions are a Civil Service Examination .The Civil Service Examination for this recruitment is a Supplemental Questionnaire Rating . Please read each question carefully as this examination will determine your placement on the employment list. Responses to these questions will be used as a weighted, scored selection device.Evaluators will not have access to your application (including work history and education), application supporting materials (e.g. resumes, cover letters, transcripts), or any previous responses in your supplemental questionnaire. They will only have the information provided in each of your responses below.For information on protest procedures, refer to Civil Service Rules 612 and 613:

• I understand the only information I provide in the response boxes below will be evaluated and used to determine my score and rank on the employment list.

08


How much experience do you have conducting community outreach or public education activities?

• More than 4 years of experience
• 2-4 years of experience
• 1-2 years of experience
• Less than 1 year of experience
• I DO NOT have this experience

09


Which best describes your experience in animal shelters, rescue groups, veterinary settings, or related environments?

• More than 3 years of experience
• 1-3 years of experience
• 6 months to 1 year of experience
• Less than 6 months of experience
• I DO NOT have this experience

10


How much experience do you have providing information, explaining programs, or interacting directly with the public?

• More than 4 years of experience
• 2-4 years of experience
• 1-2 years of experience
• Less than 1 year of experience
• I DO NOT have this experience
• I DO NOT have experience performing these activities

11


How would you rate your experience with tracking activities, maintaining records, or using databases or digital tools to support outreach or program operations?

• Extensive experience (program lead or trainer)
• Strong experience (independent and advanced use)
• Moderate experience (routine use)
• Limited experience (basic familiarity)
• I DO NOT have this experience

12


How much experience do you have working with individuals from diverse backgrounds or communities with varying levels of access to services?

• More than 3 years of experience
• 1-3 years of experience
• 6 months to 1 year of experience
• Less than 6 months of experience
• No experience of experience

Required Question