Community Navigator

If you desire meaningful work where you can make a daily difference for pets and the people who love them, the Potter League for Animals may be the place for you. We are seeking a great communicator who possesses solid interpersonal and administrative skills to be our Community Navigator.

The Community Navigator leverages internal and external resources to keep pets with their existing families and reduce the risk of pets being separated from their families when their humans are in crisis. Through door-to-door outreach, community outreach events, and networking, the Community Navigator builds relationships that connect underserved individuals and families to the human and pet services they need to best provide for themselves and their pets. The Community Navigator has a deep commitment to serving the community and a significant understanding of systemic issues that affect underserved populations.

Join our team, and you will be joining the largest animal welfare organization in Rhode Island, whose reach extends nationally. Our teams’ skill and experience, from the Board of Directors to the animal care staff, are diverse and include all areas of nonprofit management, animal welfare, community programs, and animal care. We operate two locations around the state: An Animal Care Center in Middletown and a low-cost spay and neuter clinic in Warwick.

There is never a dull moment at the Potter League, but always plenty of fun. In addition to working with a team that feels like family, the Potter League offers paid time off, an IRA with company match, health insurance, pet boarding, pet food discounts, and basic wellness for your pet(s). Everyone is welcome here – what makes us each unique is what makes us strong and effective for the animals and people we serve.

Job Description

Classification: Full-time, salaried, exempt

Reports To: Chief Operating Officer

Supervises: There are no direct reports for this position. Indirectly supervises volunteers as necessary.

Job Purpose 

The Community Navigator leverages internal and external resources to keep pets with their existing families and reduces the risk of pets being separated from their families when their humans are in crisis. Through door-to-door outreach, community outreach events, and networking, the Community Navigator builds relationships that connect underserved individuals and families to the human and pet services they need to best provide for themselves and their pets. The Community Navigator has a deep commitment to serving the community and a significant understanding of systemic issues that affect underserved populations.

Accountabilities

• Network with community leaders and organizations such as social service agencies, faith organizations, and community groups to understand which services are available to people in need and how to best eliminate barriers to accessing them.
• Oversees the Potter League for Animals Pet Food Pantry, including the securing and distribution of pet food to individuals and pantry partners across Rhode Island.
• Coordinates community vaccine clinics onsite at Potter League locations and at offsite locations such as community centers and public housing communities.
• Manages the Potter League for Animals’ Pet Safe temporary housing program for pets whose people are impacted by medical crisis, domestic violence, and other crises.
• Leverages the Animal Care Center, Spay and Neuter Clinic, and Behavior and Training Center to ensure pet guardians have access to quality and affordable veterinary and behavioral care.
• Proactively seeks to build relationships, uncover needs, and help underserved individuals connect with the services that will provide for them and their pets by conducting door-to-door outreach in at-risk communities and hosting and/or attending community outreach events.
• Builds, manages, and supports a team of volunteers to maximize daily activities and positive outcomes.
• Manages operating processes, including data collection and analysis, to ensure the program meets goals strategically and effectively.
• Develops and maintains program SOPs.
• Effectively manages resources for maximum benefit. In collaboration with the Chief Operating Officer, develops and manages relevant program budgets.
• Effectively communicates and advocates for the Potter League, both internally and externally.
• Follows all safety guidelines to ensure a safe work environment.
• Demonstrates initiative and a flexible work schedule while working enthusiastically and cooperatively with all departments.
• Adheres to all Code of Conduct Standards.
• Other duties as requested.

Qualifications

There are many ways to learn, grow, and excel professionally. We understand this when we review candidates and consider the broad experiences of each applicant. We want to get to know the person behind the application and the unique strengths they will bring to the work. This said, we are most likely to be interested in candidates who:

• Can best relate to the individuals and families this position will serve through their personal experiences.
• Have navigated the use of social services programs such as subsidized housing, nutritional assistance, employment assistance, temporary housing services, etc.
• Speak both English and Spanish.
• Have a strong understanding of what it means for an organization to be diverse, equitable, and inclusive, and of the issues marginalized communities face day to day.
• Has related education and training.

Skills

• Ability to identify unsafe and/or crises and take appropriate action.
• Ability to communicate professionally and articulately verbally, in writing, and through body language.
• Remains calm and leads others in times of stress and crisis.
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize duties, perform multiple tasks at one time, and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Detail-oriented and able to collect, interpret, and summarize data.
• Demonstrated ability to work well without close supervision.
• Ability to work in an emotionally taxing field.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including some evenings and weekends.
• Ability to safely handle different species of animals appropriately for the situation (i.e., relaxed, fractious, emergency, etc.)
• Ability to identify signs of animal illnesses, disease, injuries, behavioral distress, fear, and aggression.

Salary Range: $24.00 – $29.00 per hour, dependent upon skills, abilities, and experience. This is an hourly, non-exempt position.

Work Hours: Primarily M-F daytime hours with evenings and weekends as necessary.

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

How to Apply:
Please send your resume and cover letter to: Todd Cramer, Chief Mission Officer at tcramer@potterleague.org. Phone calls are welcome at 401.846.0592 ext. 126.

Employment Disclaimer: This job description is not a contract – management reserves the right to change its contents at any time. This organization complies with the guidelines set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, disability, or status as a disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era. This organization is an Equal Opportunity Employer.