Position Overview
The energetic and outgoing Community Engagement & Volunteer Coordinator plays a key role in strengthening connections between the Humane Society and the Rapid City-area community. This position is responsible for recruiting, training, and coordinating volunteers, managing the scheduling and use of the organization’s new community room, and supporting outreach events that promote animal welfare and adoption. The position directly enhances the Humane Society’s ability to serve animals and the community by building strong volunteer programs, creating a vibrant community space, and expanding outreach efforts.

Key Responsibilities
1. Volunteer Coordination
◦ Work with Volunteer Mentors to recruit, onboard, and train new volunteers
◦ Work with staff and team leads to identify volunteer needs and ensure adequate coverage for daily operations and special events
◦ Serve as the primary point of contact for volunteer communications
◦ Recognize and retain volunteers through engagement initiatives and appreciation efforts

2. Community Room Management
◦ Oversee scheduling, reservations, and usage of the community room
◦ Coordinate with internal teams and external partners to host meetings, workshops, and educational programs
◦ Ensure the space is organized, welcoming, and properly maintained
◦ Develop guidelines and procedures for Community Room use

3. Event Support & Community Outreach
◦ Coordinate with internal teams and external partners to host meetings, workshops, and educational programs
◦ Ensure the space is organized, welcoming, and properly maintained
◦ Develop guidelines and procedures for community room use
◦ Assist in planning and executing on-site and off-site events (adoption events, fundraisers, educational programs)
◦ Collaborate with marketing and development teams to promote events
◦ Represent the organization at community functions and build partnerships with local groups
◦ Support event logistics including setup, volunteer coordination, and follow-up

Qualifications
• Experience in volunteer coordination, event planning, nonprofit work, or community engagement preferred
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities
• Ability to manage multiple projects and adapt in a fast-paced environment
• Passion for animal welfare and the mission of the organization
• Proven leadership experience preferable in animal sheltering, veterinary services, nonprofit operations, or a related field.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in operations or facility management, with team supervision responsibilities.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to lead by example in a high-energy, emotionally challenging  environment.
• Familiarity with animal behavior, care, and shelter management systems a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or similar software.
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs and work onsite with flexibility for some weekend or evening hours during emergencies or holidays.

Preferred Skills
• Experience with scheduling tools or volunteer management software
• Public speaking or community outreach experience
• Social media or event promotion familiarity

Work Environment
• Combination of office, on-site animal shelter environment, and community-based events
• Some evenings and weekends required for events and programming

Education and Experience:
• High school diploma or equivalent. Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Animal Science, Nonprofit Management, or related field preferred.
• Experience with public engagement required.

Physical Dimensions:
• Able to lift 50 lbs unaided and safely.
• Able to work with, and learn about, cats, dogs, small mammals, reptiles, insects, etc.

We believe animals deserve safe, loving homes, and every adopter deserves guidance in finding the right companion. As an Adoption Advisor, you will play a vital role in creating positive adoption experiences by connecting people with pets, educating the community about responsible pet ownership, and helping animals transition into their forever homes! We are seeking compassionate, customer-focused individuals who are passionate about animal welfare, thrive in a team environment, and are committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of pets and people every day.

Essential Duties and Functions:

People Care

• Provide quality customer service to clients, volunteers, and staff while actively promoting the Society’s mission, services, programs, and events.
• Assist clients with animal adoption and visitation.
• Interpret evaluation/assessments of dogs and cats to facilitate the best match of client and animal. Enter behavior evaluation results into shelter software using clear, honest communication.
• Facilitate client/animal interactions to insure a safe and pleasant experience.
• Complete adoption agreements, microchip registration forms, and insurance registration, provide and discuss medical history, provide the list of participating veterinarians for surgeries when necessary.
• Provide adoption follow-up through phone and email contact.
• Answer telephone calls promptly and courteously, providing accurate information.
• Model and encourage the humane treatment of animals.
• Promote donation and giving opportunities as appropriate; accept and acknowledge monetary and in-kind donations.
• Represent the Humane Society in a positive manner by professional personal appearance.

Record Keeping

• Complete all necessary forms and data entry to process adoptions.
• Complete timely and accurate computer data entry; ensure data integrity using both paper and computer based filing systems.
• Maintain materials related to adoptions, education and programs.

Facility Care

• Assist Kennel Teams in cleaning duties when available/needed, following established disease control protocols to clean, disinfect, and maintain shelter and general areas.
• Ensure work stations are kept clean, orderly and maintained daily.

Animal Care

• Report health abnormalities to medical personnel.
• Report behavior abnormalities to a supervisor.
• Assist with evaluation and treatment processes.
• Assist Kennel Teams with feeding, when available/needed.

Volunteers

• Work cooperatively with all volunteers and recognize the talent and commitment they bring to the Society.

Safety

• Ensure a safe work environment, following all safety guidelines, including PPE, and modeling safe work practice.
• Take immediate action to address any safety concerns that could put a staff member, volunteer, client, animal, or the organization at risk.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a kennel/shelter setting.
• Frequent bending, reaching, kneeling, and sitting at a computer workstation 4-8 hours per day.
• Exposure to disinfectant solutions when in the kennel area.
• Subject to animal bites and scratches while handling animals.
• Occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds with reasonable accommodations.
• Consistently exposed to animals and animal allergens under conditions with limited alternatives available.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Customer service experience.
• Available to work weekends and overtime as needed.
• Excellent typing and written communication skills a must.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Commitment to the mission, values, goals, and success of the Humane Society of the Black Hills.
• Highly motivated, out-going, polite, and professional manner.
• Team player, able to work in a fast-pace environment and multi-tasker
• Compassion for animals, comfortable working in the shelter environment.
• Knowledge of animal breeds and behavior helpful.
• Computer skills