Location: Bentonville AR Hiring Range: This position's hiring range is anticipated to be $19.76 to $20.50 hourly, depending on experience, plus great benefits! Interviews will occur weekly until the position is filled. Summary: Community Engagement Specialists are responsible for the daily functions and growth of community engagement in our lifesaving and advocacy programs. Specialists act with urgency to accomplish important tasks and play a direct role in achieving Best Friends Animal Society’s no-kill mission and organizational success. Specialists may receive intensive assignments in a particular program, based on organizational needs. Senior specialists have an increased level of responsibility or skills, and the ability to make on-the-spot decisions to accomplish tasks. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Demonstrate kindness and the Golden Rule in our everyday actions by practicing inclusion and respect for every person for the value they bring to the table. Be a role model for the spirit of authenticity, kindness and positive influence with each other, our visitors, and volunteers as well as to the animals every day. This includes listening, being present, being supportive of others and demonstrating compassion and curiosity in conflict. Engage with organizations, individuals, and stakeholders to develop and maintain mutually beneficial relationships, support objectives through communications, events/meetings, service delivery, or other methods. Support partnerships, action teams, grassroots advocacy, and Best Friends strategies to connect community members with the programs and organizations they can impact; support, empower and enable volunteers and foster parents with the goal of utilizing volunteers to expand community lifesaving capacity. Deliver superior customer service, assist stakeholders, support, or conduct service delivery, or follow-ups as needed or required. Develop a general knowledge of Best Friends’ and community partner programs to best match individuals and organizations to opportunities to support lifesaving or deliver or receive services. Work directly with and support volunteers on all aspects of community lifesaving programs and advocacy, Best Friends’ program requirements and procedures, data entry, and communications. Work collaboratively with and assist Best Friends’ team members in all areas of operations to develop, evolve, and implement efficient processes to achieve lifesaving goals; follow policies, procedures, and task lists, including accurate and timely communications, work completion, data entry, and recordkeeping. Maintain a safe workplace, value, and model safe work practices, adhering to organizational safety practices and rules, and addressing or communicating to leadership about unsafe practices and conditions. Skills and Experience: Bilingual or multi-lingual skills preferred but not required. Customer-centric, non-judgmental approach to engaging with adopters, partners, visitors, volunteers, and colleagues; familiarity and comfort with a conversational adoption process. Ability to work with, leash, kennel, walk, and handle cats and dogs, including those with health and/or behavior conditions/concerns; basic ability to identify and speak to medical and behavioral characteristics of dogs and cats. Strong interpersonal skills, a team player, personable, professional, and able to get along with people from different backgrounds, as well as the ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with well-developed organization skills to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands. Resourceful, get-it-done attitude; initiative to assist in any area or process; problem solving, seeking answers independently and enthusiastically; flexibility to persist until goals are achieved. Proficiency with Microsoft Office products; familiarity with shelter software/animal management software, or desire to learn. Physical Requirements: Must be able to: Routinely lift 40 pounds and perform daily strenuous activity including, but not limited to lifting, carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, cleaning, and bending. Perform repetitive tasks for extended periods of time including typing, sitting, walking, arm, and hand motion. Work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions including extreme heat and cold. Exposure to dogs, cats and other animals of all sizes, temperaments, and medical status. Valid driver’s license, meeting Best Friends Animal Society’s driver qualification standards; ability to travel, including overnight stays, when needed. Daily hours and days of the week may vary according to the needs of the department schedule; position includes weekends, nights, and holiday work. Thank you for your interest in pursuing a career at Best Friends Animal Society. Best Friends Animal Society is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or domestic partner status. Applicants for employment in the US must have valid work authorization that does not now and/or will not in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the US by Best Friends Animal Society. Who we are underneath the fur (and feathers) Best Friends believes in being kind to all, both two- and four-legged beings. Compassion drives our work to save the lives of animals. And it drives our daily lives. We do not judge. We respect one another. We embrace new ideas, solutions and differences. We welcome people from all backgrounds and appreciate where you are in your professional journey. We are quirky. We never take ourselves too seriously, and we know that humor is important in this field. We operate with love and seek to spread positivity. We are determined to create a safer, brighter world for homeless pets and to Save Them All. If you don't see an opportunity that matches your background, please free free to drop off your resume/cv.