What are the responsibilities and job description for the Volunteer and Cat Care Coordinator position at Paws and Claws Cat Rescue?
Paws and Claws Cat Rescue is a nonprofit focused on saving the most vulnerable felines from euthanasia and building community for people.
Since its founding in 2020, Paws and Claws has rescued more than 2,500 cats from 40 municipal shelters across the Midwest and southern part of the United States. We have a dedicated base of 380 volunteers and 190 fosters. The Paws and Claws Cat Adoption Center, our first facility, is located in Evanston. Since its opening in May 2023, it has allowed for massive expansion.
The Volunteer and Cat Care Coordinator is a dynamic, multifaceted role responsible for ensuring the high-quality care of cats at our Adoption Center and for managing our volunteer program. This role plays a key part in fostering a compassionate, engaging, and organized environment for visitors, volunteers, and fosters.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong leadership, administrative and communication skills, possess a background in veterinary or shelter medicine, and be passionate about improving the lives of cats and the people who care for them. This position requires flexibility, excellent time management, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced animal rescue setting.
Responsibilities include:
Volunteer Program Management
- Recruit, onboard, train, and retain volunteers
- Schedule and coordinate volunteer shifts to ensure adequate staffing
- Create innovative strategies to improve volunteer engagement and support
- Provide ongoing mentorship, recognition, and communication with volunteers
- Foster a positive and inclusive volunteer culture
Cat Care & Medical Support
- Oversee daily care and cleanliness of cat housing areas
- Administer medications and treatments to cats of all ages and temperaments
- Assist with veterinary procedures including intake exams, vaccinations, blood draws, and surgeries
- Provide critical care and monitor medically fragile felines
- Ensure accurate record-keeping and communication with operational staff
Customer Service & Center Operations
- Open and close the Adoption Center as scheduled
- Answer questions and support visitors, adopters, fosters, and volunteers
- Manage and de-escalate difficult or sensitive interactions with professionalism
- Maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming environment at the Adoption Center
Requirements
- Availability to work Saturday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (Tuesdays and Sundays are regularly scheduled days off)
- Strong customer service and interpersonal skills
- Ability to multi-task and work efficiently in a fast-paced environment
- Comfortable working with cats of all ages and temperaments, including those with medical or behavioral needs
- Experience in veterinary medicine, shelter medicine, or as a veterinary technician/assistant
- Ability to lift 40 lbs, stand for long periods, and perform physically demanding tasks
- Excellent organizational and communication skills
- Compassionate and calm under pressure
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience managing or coordinating a volunteer program
- Bilingual or multilingual a plus
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $42,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
Application Question(s):
- Tell us why you would be a good fit for this role
Work Location: In person
Salary : $42,000
