Job Description
About Oregon Humane
Founded in 1868, Oregon Humane is the Northwest's oldest and largest animal welfare organization with one of the highest adoption rates in the nation. We are working toward our vision of a world where all animals are treated with compassion, kindness, and respect. With campuses in Portland and Salem, Oregon Humane is an Oregon-based nonprofit that relies on donor support for its adoption, education, medical and humane law enforcement programs. Visit oregonhumane.org to learn more about how we’re creating an ecosystem where all of us – animals and humans – feel safe, valued and part of something bigger.
The Team
The People & Culture team is a multifaceted and dedicated group that plays a crucial role in shaping our organization's culture and ensuring the well-being of our employees, volunteers, and community. Comprising experts in human resources, safety, emergency response, community education, volunteers, project management, facilities, and learning and development, our team is committed to creating a positive and inclusive work environment where everyone can thrive.
As an organization, we are investing in and remain steadfast in our commitment to moving our organization and sector forward in creating an equitable, diverse, and inclusive industry.
The Position
The Program Specialist, Volunteer Engagement plays a key role in ensuring the safety, effectiveness, and overall quality of the Portland volunteer program. This role provides coaching, behavior and safety oversight, training delivery, and onthefloor leadership. The Specialist also holds shared administrative responsibilities, including approving schedule changes, filling urgent coverage gaps, reviewing onboarding documentation, contributing to communications, and supporting event logistics. This position works closely with the Coordinator, Volunteer Engagement, who manages scheduling, onboarding logistics, and database accuracy. The Specialist partners with and escalates higherlevel issues to the Manager, Volunteer Engagement, who provides strategic direction, sets program standards, and holds final decisionmaking authority on volunteer behavior, policy interpretation, and complex operational or safety concerns.
Eligible Benefits
We are committed to creating a better future for pets, and we work hard to achieve our goals while offering a rewarding workplace including competitive benefit packages to our employees.
Supervises: Provides day-to-day supervision to volunteers.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Reports Directly To: Manager, Volunteer Engagement Often Engages Directly With: Volunteer Engagement team, and all teams across the organization. Qualifications Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills
We are interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We welcome applicants who bring a diversity of identity, culture, experience, perspective and thought. We encourage you to apply, even if you do not believe you meet every one of the qualifications described. You are also encouraged to address how your professional and lived experience, scholarship, mentorship and/or service will contribute to the Oregon Humane.
This position interacts and collaborates will all levels of the organization, including Oregon Humane staff, executive team members, donors, general public, external vendors, volunteers, and supporters. Contact and communication is carried out through face-to-face, telephone and digital interactions. Excellent customer service skills are essential to success. Communication must be clear, understandable, professional and respectful in all circumstances.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and address and overcome complex challenges and barriers. We strive for a culture of integrity, respect and compassion where every member of our community contributes their perspectives and authentic selves and where everyone reaches their potential as individuals and teams. We recognize that striving for diversity, equity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Oregon Humane is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained impact.
We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group.
At-Will Employment
This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related duties required by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship.
The Team
The People & Culture team is a multifaceted and dedicated group that plays a crucial role in shaping our organization's culture and ensuring the well-being of our employees, volunteers, and community. Comprising experts in human resources, safety, emergency response, community education, volunteers, project management, facilities, and learning and development, our team is committed to creating a positive and inclusive work environment where everyone can thrive.
As an organization, we are investing in and remain steadfast in our commitment to moving our organization and sector forward in creating an equitable, diverse, and inclusive industry.
The Position
The Program Specialist, Volunteer Engagement plays a key role in ensuring the safety, effectiveness, and overall quality of the Portland volunteer program. This role provides coaching, behavior and safety oversight, training delivery, and onthefloor leadership. The Specialist also holds shared administrative responsibilities, including approving schedule changes, filling urgent coverage gaps, reviewing onboarding documentation, contributing to communications, and supporting event logistics. This position works closely with the Coordinator, Volunteer Engagement, who manages scheduling, onboarding logistics, and database accuracy. The Specialist partners with and escalates higherlevel issues to the Manager, Volunteer Engagement, who provides strategic direction, sets program standards, and holds final decisionmaking authority on volunteer behavior, policy interpretation, and complex operational or safety concerns.
Eligible Benefits
We are committed to creating a better future for pets, and we work hard to achieve our goals while offering a rewarding workplace including competitive benefit packages to our employees.
- Medical/Dental/Vision
- Paid Time Off + Sick Time + Holidays
- 401(k) with employer match
- Professional Development Opportunities
- One free Oregon Humane adoption / year
- Perks & Discounts
- Consistently strives to exceed expectations; demonstrates flexibility, resilience, and the ability to maintain positive relationships and composure, even under difficult circumstances.
- Maintains high ethical standards, including exhibiting behaviors and actions that embrace and align to our organization and customer service values, while treating all people with respect and dignity.
- Demonstrates an awareness of your individual personal strengths and development needs, modeling non-defensive behavior and openness to feedback; builds a culture of feedback and learning.
- Contributes to regular dialogue and accountability with the leadership team and across the organization to review progress and course correct if necessary.
- Utilizes data and insights to identify, understand and articulate the key inputs and metrics that tell the story of the organization/team strategy and its progress.
- Builds appropriate feedback loops to measure if we are meeting key milestones and if the impact planned is being felt across the organization.
- Communicate effectively to executive and other stakeholder groups to ensure they are informed and able to actively engage.
- Liaise with and maintain productive relationships with all stakeholders, including other departments, and donors; build mutually rewarding professional relationships inside Oregon Humane at all levels.
- Leverage our best practices externally and grow Oregon Humane’ reputation as a leader in the animal welfare space.
- Serves as a primary point of contact for volunteer behavior, safety, coaching, and rolerelated questions.
- Provides timely, compassionate, and clear guidance to volunteers navigating expectations, boundaries, and role responsibilities.
- Responsible for coaching, counseling, documentation and progressive discipline steps; recommends volunteers for termination of service to Manger, Volunteer Engagement, as needed.
- Supports staff in understanding how to effectively integrate volunteers and address concerns.
- Reinforces with volunteers attendance expectations, communication norms, and safety protocols.
- In partnership with Manager, Volunteer Engagement, supports conflict resolution among volunteers, staff, and guests, escalating to Manager when appropriate.
- Maintains a calm, supportive presence during challenging interactions, modeling OHS values.
- Reviews onboarding documentation for accuracy, completeness, and role fit.
- Creates and maintains documentation of coaching conversations, behavior concerns, and followup actions.
- Tracks training completion, compliance with safety protocols, and volunteer behavior trends.
- Collaborates with the Coordinator and Data Specialist to ensure volunteer records and training data are accurate and uptodate.
- Uses data to identify patterns in volunteer behavior, safety issues, or training needs and communicates these to the Manager, Volunteer Engagement.
- Approves schedule changes and fills urgent coverage gaps to support operational needs.
- Contributes to volunteer communications, including safety reminders, training updates, and role expectations.
- Supports event logistics and provides onsite leadership with Coordinator and Manager during volunteersupported events.
- Participates in volunteer orientations and trainings, reinforcing expectations and safety standards.
- Designs modifications or accommodations for volunteers of varying abilities in collaboration with the Manager and Coordinator.
- Maintains confidentiality of sensitive information and models appropriate boundaries.
- Upholds safety guidelines and takes immediate action to address behavior or procedural concerns.
- Works with animals on an occasional basis, modeling safe and appropriate handling.
- Serves as secondary role responsible for volunteer email inbox management.
Supervises: Provides day-to-day supervision to volunteers.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Reports Directly To: Manager, Volunteer Engagement Often Engages Directly With: Volunteer Engagement team, and all teams across the organization. Qualifications Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills
We are interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We welcome applicants who bring a diversity of identity, culture, experience, perspective and thought. We encourage you to apply, even if you do not believe you meet every one of the qualifications described. You are also encouraged to address how your professional and lived experience, scholarship, mentorship and/or service will contribute to the Oregon Humane.
- Able to work independently and exercise sound judgment.
- Able to maintain a professional demeanor during all interactions with the public, partner agencies, donors, staff, and volunteers.
- Able to learn and quickly navigate relevant volunteer management software solutions.
- Albe to perform data entry with a high level of accuracy.
- Proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills - able to communicate with a diverse population in a consistently informative, respectful, and professional manner.
- Able to work one weekend day on a regular basis, and evenings and holidays as needed.
- Able to be CPR/First Aid certified if needed.
- Two years of experience working with youth or adults in a volunteer or similar environment.
- Familiarity with Oregon Humane’s programming and operations.
- Experience supporting volunteers or staff in a role that requires clear communication, organization and follow-through.
- Experience coaching and mentoring volunteers.
This position interacts and collaborates will all levels of the organization, including Oregon Humane staff, executive team members, donors, general public, external vendors, volunteers, and supporters. Contact and communication is carried out through face-to-face, telephone and digital interactions. Excellent customer service skills are essential to success. Communication must be clear, understandable, professional and respectful in all circumstances.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Work is performed in an office and medical center/animal shelter environment.
- Travel between the two campuses may be required.
- Working at both campuses may be required.
- Weekend and evening work required.
- Animal contact and related injuries may occur.
- Noise exposure varies and sometimes includes uncontrolled barking and other animal vocalizations.
- Pace of work is active and demanding, requiring a high degree of multitasking and ability to adapt to changing priorities while managing concurrent projects/tasks to completion.
- Contact with angry or emotional people may occur.
- Occasional lifting and moving of inanimate objects weighing up to 50 lbs.
- Occasional pushing and pulling of carted items weighing up to 100 lbs.
- Occasional moving items above shoulder level.
- Occasional use of hands and arms at or above shoulder level.
- Prolonged standing, sitting and/or stooping may occur.
- Occasional climbing and bending.
- Must be able to remain in a stationary position for prolonged periods.
- If certified, ability to respond and perform life saving techniques in an emergency.
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and address and overcome complex challenges and barriers. We strive for a culture of integrity, respect and compassion where every member of our community contributes their perspectives and authentic selves and where everyone reaches their potential as individuals and teams. We recognize that striving for diversity, equity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Oregon Humane is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained impact.
We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group.
At-Will Employment
This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related duties required by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship.