What are the responsibilities and job description for the Volunteer - Animal Services Only position at Citrus County Government?
Citrus County greatly benefits from the services provided by skilled and motivated volunteers and encourages involvement by Citrus County citizens.
Citrus County volunteers are uncompensated individuals who perform services directly related to the business of Citrus County for their benefit, to support the humanitarian, charitable or public service activities. It also helps gain experience in specific endeavors. To qualify as a Citrus County volunteer, an individual must be willing to provide service according to the procedures in this policy of the specific area chosen.
Volunteers are individuals who are non-paid, including interns and work-study program students.
Classes Of Volunteers
Dog Walkers: Our goal is for each dog to get out of their kennel at least twice every day, and our volunteers play a huge role in this! Dogs can be walked on our property, down our street, or in one of our many play yards. Dog walkers do more than just walk dogs, though – they also spend quality one-on-one time with them cuddling, playing in yards, and baths!
Playgroups: CCAS uses the nationally-recognized Dogs Playing for Life method of playgroups where we allow dogs some quality time with each other to just be dogs. Our playgroups are a joint effort of staff and volunteers, and include jobs such as playgroup leader, playgroup supervisors, and runners. Not only is it a fun way for dogs to get out of their kennels, but it allows us humans to learn more about their behaviors so we can find them the perfect home.
Cat Cuddlers: While cats may not enjoy play groups, they still love spending quality time with caring humans! Our cat cuddlers can spend time with our feline friends through play time, cuddling, grooming, and training to make them feel more comfortable in their temporary shelter home.
Customer Service and Office Support: Customer service volunteers are the front line for shelter visitors to get information about what we do at Animal Services by greeting guests as they walk in the door and answering phone calls. Office support volunteers also assist with the creation of information packets that go home with our fosters and volunteers to set our animals up for success.
Adoption Events: There is no better feeling than watching an adopter fall in love with a shelter pet. Our volunteers play a crucial role in adoption counseling at our many off-site adoption events. Jobs may include dog handling, answering adopter questions, and making sure our pets are comfortable and happy while showing their best sides to potential adopters.
Enrichment: Not only do our dogs and cats enjoy daily interactions with staff and volunteers, but they also enjoy in-kennel enrichment to keep their minds busy in the form of toys, treats, and puzzles! Volunteers play a huge role in preparing enrichment for our pets, including stuffing Kongs, making frozen “Pupsicles”, and catnip toys.
Photography: Quality photos are essential for marketing our pets for adoption, and our volunteers are a huge help in capturing their best angles. If you enjoy making silly noises to get pets to look at the camera, we have a job for you!
Laundry and Dishes: Just like your pets at home, our shelter residents create a lot of laundry and dishes that need to be cleaned and disinfected daily. Our staff is always thrilled to have volunteers help with these daily tasks that help keep our animals happy and healthy during their shelter stay.
Volunteer Qualifications
All volunteers must meet minimum qualifications for placement into any County related assignment. The primary qualification for volunteer placement is the ability and suitability to perform a task on behalf of the County.
Age – The minimum age of a County volunteer is 14 years of age, and may work as volunteers for a public agency but must avoid hazardous work as defined by the Department of Labor. These volunteers should be closely supervised or serve with a parent. The Fair Labor Standards Act, under the Department of Labor prohibits anyone under 18 to be engaged in hazardous work. This includes driving, working with chemicals, knives and other hazards. For safety purpose through Animal Services volunteers between the ages of 14-17 would need to have a parent or guardian to become an approved volunteer with them.
The County accepts the service of volunteers with the understanding that such service is at the sole discretion of the County. Volunteers agree that the County may at any time, for whatever reason, decide to terminate the volunteer's relationship with the County. No current County employee may volunteer in a capacity that is similar to his or her regular paid position.
Citrus County volunteers are uncompensated individuals who perform services directly related to the business of Citrus County for their benefit, to support the humanitarian, charitable or public service activities. It also helps gain experience in specific endeavors. To qualify as a Citrus County volunteer, an individual must be willing to provide service according to the procedures in this policy of the specific area chosen.
Volunteers are individuals who are non-paid, including interns and work-study program students.
Classes Of Volunteers
- "Regular-Service Volunteer" means a person engaged in specific voluntary service activities on an ongoing or continual basis.
- "Occasional-Service Volunteer" means a person who offers to provide a one-time or occasional voluntary service.
- "Community Service Volunteer" means a person who is court-ordered to complete a required number of volunteer hours as part of his/her probation.
Dog Walkers: Our goal is for each dog to get out of their kennel at least twice every day, and our volunteers play a huge role in this! Dogs can be walked on our property, down our street, or in one of our many play yards. Dog walkers do more than just walk dogs, though – they also spend quality one-on-one time with them cuddling, playing in yards, and baths!
Playgroups: CCAS uses the nationally-recognized Dogs Playing for Life method of playgroups where we allow dogs some quality time with each other to just be dogs. Our playgroups are a joint effort of staff and volunteers, and include jobs such as playgroup leader, playgroup supervisors, and runners. Not only is it a fun way for dogs to get out of their kennels, but it allows us humans to learn more about their behaviors so we can find them the perfect home.
Cat Cuddlers: While cats may not enjoy play groups, they still love spending quality time with caring humans! Our cat cuddlers can spend time with our feline friends through play time, cuddling, grooming, and training to make them feel more comfortable in their temporary shelter home.
Customer Service and Office Support: Customer service volunteers are the front line for shelter visitors to get information about what we do at Animal Services by greeting guests as they walk in the door and answering phone calls. Office support volunteers also assist with the creation of information packets that go home with our fosters and volunteers to set our animals up for success.
Adoption Events: There is no better feeling than watching an adopter fall in love with a shelter pet. Our volunteers play a crucial role in adoption counseling at our many off-site adoption events. Jobs may include dog handling, answering adopter questions, and making sure our pets are comfortable and happy while showing their best sides to potential adopters.
Enrichment: Not only do our dogs and cats enjoy daily interactions with staff and volunteers, but they also enjoy in-kennel enrichment to keep their minds busy in the form of toys, treats, and puzzles! Volunteers play a huge role in preparing enrichment for our pets, including stuffing Kongs, making frozen “Pupsicles”, and catnip toys.
Photography: Quality photos are essential for marketing our pets for adoption, and our volunteers are a huge help in capturing their best angles. If you enjoy making silly noises to get pets to look at the camera, we have a job for you!
Laundry and Dishes: Just like your pets at home, our shelter residents create a lot of laundry and dishes that need to be cleaned and disinfected daily. Our staff is always thrilled to have volunteers help with these daily tasks that help keep our animals happy and healthy during their shelter stay.
Volunteer Qualifications
All volunteers must meet minimum qualifications for placement into any County related assignment. The primary qualification for volunteer placement is the ability and suitability to perform a task on behalf of the County.
Age – The minimum age of a County volunteer is 14 years of age, and may work as volunteers for a public agency but must avoid hazardous work as defined by the Department of Labor. These volunteers should be closely supervised or serve with a parent. The Fair Labor Standards Act, under the Department of Labor prohibits anyone under 18 to be engaged in hazardous work. This includes driving, working with chemicals, knives and other hazards. For safety purpose through Animal Services volunteers between the ages of 14-17 would need to have a parent or guardian to become an approved volunteer with them.
The County accepts the service of volunteers with the understanding that such service is at the sole discretion of the County. Volunteers agree that the County may at any time, for whatever reason, decide to terminate the volunteer's relationship with the County. No current County employee may volunteer in a capacity that is similar to his or her regular paid position.
