Dog Volunteer Coordinator (Unpaid Volunteer Position)

Are you a people person who loves dogs, enjoys helping others succeed, and is comfortable using technology to keep a team connected? Join our Dog Team as a Volunteer Coordinator!

The Dog Volunteer Coordinator helps create a positive, reliable, and well-supported experience for our shelter volunteers. Working closely with the Dog Volunteer Manager and Volunteer Scheduler, you will help keep volunteers informed, supported, and connected — particularly when unexpected scheduling or coverage issues arise.

This is a primarily remote, technology-enabled volunteer role. Automated notifications and communication processes have been established to minimize the need for continuous monitoring. The Coordinator serves as an important backup and point of intervention when a last-minute cancellation or coverage issue requires additional attention.

Reports to: Dog Volunteer Manager

What You’ll Do

Coordinate & Communicate

• Maintain clear, timely communication with dog team volunteers through Slack, email, and other communication tools.
• Share key updates, reminders, resources, and information from Dog Team leadership with volunteers.
• Monitor automated notifications related to last-minute shift cancellations, coverage concerns, and other time-sensitive volunteer needs.
• Respond to alerts and intervene when automated coverage processes require additional support.
• When needed, coordinate with the Volunteer Scheduler and/or reach out to the designated floater group to help fill last-minute shift vacancies.
• Keep the appropriate team members informed of significant schedule or coverage issues.
• Support smooth communication and handoffs between volunteers and Dog Team leadership.

Support Our Automated Coverage Process

• Become familiar with the Dog Team's automated notification and shift-coverage processes.
• Monitor designated Slack channels and mobile notifications during agreed-upon coverage periods.
• Recognize when an automated process has successfully addressed a cancellation and when additional intervention may be required.
• Follow established procedures to escalate or resolve coverage issues when automated processes do not result in sufficient coverage.
• Provide feedback to the Dog Volunteer Manager when recurring issues or opportunities to improve the process are identified.

Support & Engage Our Volunteers

• Help orient new dog team volunteers by helping them understand their roles, responsibilities, communication channels, and shelter procedures.
• Provide ongoing support to volunteers, answering questions and helping resolve issues as they arise.
• Check in with volunteers to help ensure they feel confident, included, and valued.
• Support volunteer recognition initiatives and contribute to a positive, collaborative team culture.
• Help gather feedback from volunteers and identify opportunities to improve the overall volunteer experience.

Keep Things Running Smoothly

• Monitor attendance and identify recurring coverage or participation concerns.
• Bring significant or recurring volunteer concerns to the Dog Volunteer Manager.
• Maintain appropriate follow-up on outstanding volunteer questions or issues.
• Support the Dog Volunteer Manager and Volunteer Scheduler with day-to-day volunteer coordination as needed.

Time Commitment & Availability

Approximately 5–7 hours per week.

This is a primarily remote position, and regular on-site attendance at the shelter is not required. Occasional visits to the shelter may be helpful for orientation, relationship-building, or specific team needs, but the majority of responsibilities can be completed remotely.

The Coordinator will be assigned 2–3 days per week during which they will be responsible for monitoring designated team notifications between approximately 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

Important: This does not mean continuously monitoring Slack for the entire 13-hour period. The Dog Team has established automated processes that will send notifications when a last-minute cancellation or other coverage issue requires attention. The Coordinator is expected to remain reasonably available to respond to these notifications and intervene when the automated process does not successfully resolve the issue.

Some last-minute coverage situations may require a timely response, including contacting the designated floater group or escalating the issue to the appropriate Dog Team leader.

The specific monitoring schedule will be coordinated with the Dog Volunteer Manager to support reasonable flexibility and avoid unnecessary duplication of coverage.

Qualifications

To thrive in this role, you'll bring:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills — you enjoy connecting with and supporting people.
• Comfort with technology and learning new digital tools and processes.
• Familiarity with communication platforms such as Slack, including notifications, channels, and direct messages.
• Ability to confidently use a smartphone to receive and respond to time-sensitive notifications.
• Ability to learn and follow automated workflows and established escalation procedures.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Reliable follow-through and the ability to respond appropriately to time-sensitive requests.
• Empathy, patience, and a collaborative mindset.
• A proactive, problem-solving approach.
• Ability to work independently in a primarily remote environment.
• Comfort balancing responsiveness with good judgment about when intervention is actually required.
• A love for dogs and a commitment to EHS's mission.

Assets:

• Experience with volunteer coordination, team support, scheduling, or customer service.
• Experience using Slack or similar team communication platforms.
• Experience working with automated workflows, notifications, or other digital coordination tools.
• Experience in an animal shelter or animal welfare organization.

You don't need to be a technology expert. What matters most is that you are comfortable using digital tools, willing to learn the Dog Team's processes, and able to respond calmly and reliably when a situation requires your attention.

Perks

• Primarily remote and flexible volunteer role.
• Gain hands-on experience in volunteer coordination and team operations.
• Develop experience using digital communication and automated coordination tools.
• Work alongside a supportive and collaborative volunteer team.
• Make a tangible impact on both volunteer experience and animal welfare.
• Help create a reliable, positive environment where volunteers and dogs can thrive together.

Why Volunteer With EHS?

• Make a tangible, hands-on impact supporting animal welfare.
• Take on a meaningful coordination role while working primarily remotely.
• Gain practical experience in volunteer coordination, communication, and nonprofit operations.
• Work alongside a supportive, collaborative volunteer team.
• Help improve the experience of the people who dedicate their time to helping animals.

How to Apply (Please Read Carefully Before Submitting Your Application)

• Please send your application documents in PDF format to hrcoordinator@etobicokehumanesociety.com
• Subject line: Application for Dog Volunteer Coordinator (Unpaid Volunteer) | Your Name
• Double-check your email for spelling, grammar, and attachments before sending.
• Final selection is subject to successful reference and/or police checks.

Diversity Statement

Etobicoke Humane Society (EHS) is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment where employees feel valued and respected, and where every employee has the opportunity to realize their potential. As such, we welcome and encourage applicants who identify as racialized persons, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons across the spectrum of sexual orientation and gender identities.

Accessibility Statement

Etobicoke Humane Society (EHS) is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all team members and visitors feel like they belong. We seek applicants with a wide range of abilities and we provide an accessible candidate experience. If you need accommodation, please contact hrcoordinator@etobicokehumanesociety.com. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

We thank everyone for their interest in EHS. Only those applicants who have been selected for an interview will be contacted.