Animal Center Operations Coordinator - Dog Focused

The Position

Bargaining Unit: Local 21 - Non-Supervisory Management

Why join the Contra Costa County Animal Services Department? Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of animals and people? The Animal Services Department is committed to protecting the health, safety, and well-being of all people and animals in our community. We prioritize lifesaving as our guiding principle. We shelter homeless, abandoned, and lost animals and work to keep and place animals in safe, caring homes. We also provide education and services to enhance the human-animal bond, creating a stronger, more compassionate community.

We’re currently looking to add two (2) Animal Center Operations Coordinators to our dedicated team! One will focus on dogs and the other will focus on cats.

This job announcement will outline the experience and qualifications required to support the Dog Shelter Intervention and Transfer Program.

This position will play a key role in one of our impactful programs (Canine). If you’re ready for a challenging, fast-paced, and rewarding career where no two days are the same, we’d love to hear from you!

Join us and be part of a team that’s making a difference every day!

To see what it is like to work for us, watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qPCtCped9Q&list=PLe0z9IiTF1GUGjO5993c68v6SQCxt7lti&index=3

We are looking for someone who is:

• Self-Motivated: Much of the role requires taking initiative and working independently. This individual should seek ways to enhance the program and its impact on the shelter. The candidate shall take ownership of the program and drive it forward without the need for constant oversight. Remain focused, driven, and resilient even when faced with difficulties, such as a lack of volunteers and/or complex canine behavior issues.
• A Strong Communicator : This role involves constant interaction with shelter staff, and volunteers. Clear and empathetic communication, both verbal and written, is necessary to ensure smooth coordination and volunteer recruitment.
• Collaborative: To accomplish tasks, you will work with a variety of individuals, including employees, volunteers, representatives of other departments and agencies, vendors, and members of the general public.
• Detail Oriented: You will be tasked with accurate record keeping.
• Passionate and Knowledgeable of Animal Welfare & Industry Best Practices: A deep commitment to animal welfare is essential. Knowledgeable about dogs’ needs, behaviors, and well-being in a shelter environment. Knowledgeable in animal handling best practices, and an understanding of typical dog behavior characteristics.
• Organized: Managing relationships with multiple non-profit adoption partners, coordinating a meaningful intake diversion program for dogs, and the ability to multitask.
• Flexible: Someone willing to learn about the key functions of the other shelter operations coordinator roles and assist these shelter operations coordinators, providing support as needed/when requested by shelter operations management.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Coordinating a holistic approach to canines in a municipal animal shelter by providing intake diversion resources when appropriate, such as access to veterinary care or behavior support, spay and neuter, and education for the public.
• Selecting suitable canines for rescue placement and specialty community partner programs.
• Coordinating resources for canine outreach programs.
• Participating as a stakeholder for pathway planning.
• Working with other coordinators to improve outcomes for sheltered canines.
• Coordinating with volunteer stakeholders.
• Maintaining detailed records on each dog, including medical history, behavioral notes, and placement details.
• Attending pathway planning meetings, receiving information on dogs that may require additional support, and providing updates to shelter operations management.
• Acting as a liaison and coordinating with transfer partners and other government agencies.
• Supporting the Adoption coordinator to augment the dog adoption program.
• Assisting the Field Services department when appropriate to ensure the health and safety of dogs.

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will make an impact on animal populations.
• You will build relationships with volunteers and rescue partners.
• You will get an opportunity to problem-solve and come up with creative solutions that can be both intellectually stimulating and satisfying.
• You will be creating a positive change in the community.
  
  

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You may need to manage your work with limited resources.
• You will be working on multiple projects and have multiple responsibilities.
• You will be working with vulnerable animal populations that may cause emotional stress.
• You may face difficulties in your efforts.

Competencies Required:

• Delivering Results: Meeting organizational goals and customer expectations and making decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks
• Innovative Problem Solving: Identifying and analyzing problems in order to propose new ways to do business
• General Physical Ability: Using strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, and coordination
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications
• Action and Results-Focused: Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishments
• Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
• Self-Management: Showing personal Organization, self-discipline, and dependability
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
• Presentation Skill: Formally delivering information to groups
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Driving Results: Demonstrating concern for achieving or surpassing results against an internal standard of excellence
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals
  
  

To read the complete job description, please click here .

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future openings for up to six (6) months.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Possession of an Associate of Arts Degree or the successful completion of at least 60 semester or 90 quarter units from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Two (2) years full-time or its equivalent experience in animal sheltering, one (1) year of which must have included training, teaching or providing animal services education in a public animal control and services setting.

Substitution for Education: Additional qualifying experience or experience of any of the types listed below may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis up to maximum of two (2) years. Experience working in a public animal control and services setting

• Experience working with animals in a humane, zoological, shelter, conservancy, veterinary or other non-laboratory setting
• Experience training animals in a non-laboratory setting
• Training or teaching experience in a public or private organization
• Experience as a volunteer in a City or County Animal Services agency

Selection Process

Application Filing and Evaluation: Applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process.
Online Oral Interview: The oral interview will measure candidates' competencies as they relate to the job. In the oral interview, candidates must achieve an average passing score of 70% or higher on each of the oral interview competencies, as well as an overall passing score of 70% or higher. These may include, but are not limited to: Decision Making, Delivering Results, Handling Stress, Action and Results-Focused, and Oral Communication. Tentative dates: 3/4/2026-3/10/2026
Departmental Hiring Interview: To be scheduled once the eligible list is established
T he Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Alex Johnson at Alex.Johnson@hrd.cccounty.us. For any technical issues, please contact the GovernmentJobs’ applicant support team for assistance at +1 855-524-5627.

CONVICTION HISTORY

After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

To find more information on Benefits offered by Contra Costa County, please go to https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/1343/Employee-Benefits

Closing Date/Time: 2/12/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

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• Contra Costa County Human Resources Department

• 925-655-2100

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