Outreach & PR Assistant

Job Title: Outreach & PR Assistant

Department: Marketing & Communications

Reports To: Communications Manager; supports Outreach & Education Specialist

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Salary (A3): Hiring Range: $ $22.00 per hour; Salary Range: $ $25.30 per hour

Schedule: In-person Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

Overview:

The Sacramento SPCA is a vibrant, well-established and respected non-profit animal welfare organization. Through our nationally-ranked high-volume spay and neuter clinic (we are ranked as one of the top 10 clinics in the country), successful adoption program, behavior and training programs and commitment to excellent animal care, the Sacramento SPCA is giving more than shelter and saving animals one life at a time.

General Summary:

The Outreach & PR Assistant plays a key supporting role on the Sacramento SPCA's community engagement efforts, helping to plan and implement humane education and outreach initiatives, while also supporting public relations efforts through photography and content creation for social media and other platforms. Working closely with the Outreach & Education Specialist, this position assists with communication, scheduling, and program logistics for community events, presentations, and education programs. The Outreach & PR Assistant also supports the Communications Manager by photographing adoptable animals and helping support the creation of social media content that reflects the Sacramento SPCA's brand and mission. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, creative, and an effective communicator who thrives in dynamic, people-focused environments, enjoys working with children, and is passionate about promoting the mission of the Sacramento SPCA.

Essential Job Functions:

• Assist with planning, scheduling, and preparing materials for humane education programs, community outreach events, and presentations.
• Help coordinate outreach calendars and logistics, including transportation of animals and supplies as needed.
• Lead communication with parents, guardians, and troop leaders regarding humane education events and programming, serving as the primary point of contact for scheduling, event details, and follow-up.
• Ensure all necessary safety protocols are communicated clearly and that required liability waivers and permission forms are distributed, signed, and collected in a timely and organized manner.
• Maintain accurate records and respond to questions or concerns to support a positive and safe experience for all participants.
• Track outreach and education program participation and reach for monthly reporting.
• Provide on-site support at events and presentations, engaging with the public and promoting SPCA programs and services.
• Serve as a backup spokesperson for media segments (e.g., local TV and pet adoption features and social media collaboration) when the Outreach & Education Specialist or Communications Manager is unavailable.
• Photograph adoptable animals for use on social media, the website, and to use for marketing and fundraising materials.
• Assist in drafting social media copy, event promotions, and content that highlights adoptable animals, shelter programs, community services, and fundraising stories.
• Collaborate with the Communications Manager to maintain consistent branding and messaging across platforms.
• Help track and organize photo and video content for easy access by the team.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides accurate information and friendly professional service to the public and coworkers in a responsive, positive, courteous and truthful manner. Understands and follows the chain of command.
• Represent the Sacramento SPCA at the highest level in public speaking engagements and presentations as requested.
• Must be punctual and maintain regular, predictable attendance.
• Must be committed to a high standard of safety and be willing and able to comply with all safety laws and all of the employer's safety policies and rules and must be willing to report safety violations and potential safety violations to appropriate supervisory or management personnel.

Requirements:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Proven and effective verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong public speaking, presentation, and media relation skills.
• A team player with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to use sound judgment when dealing with volunteers, students, clients, animal-related concerns and confidential information.
• Committed to delivering excellent customer service both externally and internally.
• Have a valid California Driver's license and clear driving record for one year prior to employment in order to operate Sacramento SPCA vehicles.

Education and Experience:

• 1–2 years of experience in outreach, communications, education, or related nonprofit or animal welfare work.
• Comfortable engaging with diverse audiences and representing the organization publicly.
• Photography and social media experience (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok preferred).
• Upon hire, must submit fingerprints and pass a background check.
• Completion of Pediatric First Aid & CPR or ability to complete the required coursework.
• Completion of California's Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect certification or ability to complete the required training course within 30 days of employment.
• Animal welfare experience preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Allergic condition which would be aggravated from exposure or through contact with animals or chemicals used to sanitize facilities, vehicles, or equipment may be a disqualification.
• Must stand, walk, bend and stoop frequently to perform duties. Have the ability to perform prolonged strenuous physical activity, including lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 50 pounds alone or up to 100 pounds with the help of fellow employees for short distances.

Working Conditions:

• Ability and willingness to travel up to 50% of the time within the community (15% of time in transit, 35% of time out in the community). Travel in this case, is considered time spent away from the office, in the community, to fulfill the job goals.
• Frequent interaction with children who may or may not be well-behaved and occasional contact with the public in what may be an emotionally charged environment.
• May be exposed to hostile or abusive members of the public. Must be able to deal with an often times emotionally charged public and carry a fast paced and changing work load which at times can be stressful.
• By nature of the industry, there may be occasional exposure to dead, injured, sick, unruly, vicious, and/or dangerous animals in addition to exposure to parasites and to infectious diseases.
• Must be available and willing to work weekends, holidays, overtime, and attend mandatory training and meetings as the employer determines are necessary or desirable to meet its business needs.

Note: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees, but are not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Either employer or employee may terminate the employment relationship at any time with or without notice and with or without cause.