Animal Services Events Specialist

Description/Special Instructions

The City of Elk Grove is now accepting applications for the position of

ANIMAL SERVICES EVENTS SPECIALIST

The City of Elk Grove is currently accepting applications for an Animal Services Events Specialist. The ideal candidate for this role is a passionate communicator and skilled event planner with a strong commitment to animal welfare. They have experience organizing impactful events, building community partnerships, and promoting outreach efforts that engage diverse audiences. This candidate excels at connecting people to our mission through compelling storytelling, public speaking, community events and social media. They are organized, creative, and thrive in a fast-paced environment. With a warm, inclusive approach and a deep compassion for animals, they help elevate our shelter’s presence, improve outcomes and strengthen community support.

Learn more about the City of Elk Grove’s state-of-the-art Animal Shelter.

Tentative Recruitment Timeline (subject to change)
Filing Deadline: August 28, 2025, by 11:59pm
Oral Board Interviews: September 11, 2025 (virtual)
Selection Interviews: September 17, 2025 (in person)

The City offers a competitive salary and generous benefit package including CalPERS retirement benefits, a deferred compensation match and more.

Why work for the City of Elk Grove? Proud Heritage. Bright Future.

Community Profile
Elk Grove is a vibrant, family-friendly community of approximately 182,842 people in the Sacramento, California region, located 14 miles south of the State Capital and 60 miles east of the Bay Area. Elk Grove is a young, ethnically diverse, modern city that was incorporated in 2000. Elk Grove has low crime, excellent schools, over 100 community parks and 28 miles of trails, plentiful dining and shopping options, numerous annual events and festivals, and over 270 sunny days per year.

Representative Duties

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, assists in planning, coordinating, organizing, and facilitating a variety of community outreach activities, events, and programs in support of the City's Animal Shelter; develops marketing and outreach materials; develops marketing content and social marketing schedules; and performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from assigned management or supervisory personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This journey level classification is responsible for independently performing technical and specialized duties in support of the animal shelters community outreach initiatives. Positions at this level exercise judgment and initiative in their assigned tasks, receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Performs a variety of specialized, technical, and administrative duties in support of Animal Shelter events.
• Utilizes the website, social media, and other communication outlets to develop promotional campaigns regarding foster family program activities and fundraising campaigns; collects content for social media posts; creates and maintains a schedule for posting on social media platforms.
• Assists with coordinating community and special events related to Animal Shelter programs and activities; monitors event budget expenditures and timelines; recommends vendors and seeks event sponsors.
• Researches, requests, obtains, and reviews vendor quotes for event services and equipment; ensures compliance with City purchasing policies and procedures.
• Represents the animal shelter at a variety of community outreach activities and public awareness programs; speaks to groups and individuals regarding animal shelter activities, services, and events.
• Serves as a liaison with various media outlets and coordinates media-related activities to promote the Animal Shelter’s programs, services, and initiatives; works on press releases and other public information materials in collaboration with the Police Public Information division.
• Assists with the review and selection process for event grant and sponsorship proposals.
• Assists with soliciting vendors and sponsorships for Animal Shelter events; creates and coordinates tools and strategies to attract vendors and sponsors and secure necessary event revenue; receives and reviews applications, approves vendors/sponsors, and coordinates all payment, logistics, and marketing arrangements.
• Monitors outreach performance; maintains records and prepares statistical information; prepares related reports.
• Ensures compliance with health and safety regulations and City policies and procedures during Animal Shelter event planning and execution.
• Receives donated supplies and equipment and recommends distribution of donations received based on priority.
• Creates written correspondence to communicate Animal Shelter events or needs internally to staff and volunteers and externally to community subscribers from various social media platforms.
• Secures necessary permits, licenses, and insurance for each event.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Methods and techniques for planning, coordinating, and implementing effective Animal Shelter events.
• Common animal welfare hazards and standard safety practices.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
• Basic principles and practices of municipal budget administration.
• Basic principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Operations of a welfare animal organization, animal shelter, or municipal animal control program.
• Principles and practices of coordinating community events.
• Principles, practices, and techniques of community outreach efforts.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to the operations of the assigned division.
• Methods and techniques of preparing technical and administrative reports, and general business correspondence.
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging concepts and principles, including their significance in organizational dynamics and the functioning of the City and their impact on fostering innovation and collaboration.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Current equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Recognize animal behavior and body language for cats, dogs, rabbits, or other animals.
• Develop, conduct and/or coordinate animal adoption, education, public relations, and outreach efforts and organize community events.
• Effectively represent the City to outside individuals and agencies to accomplish the goals and objectives of the department.
• Operate the equipment used in handling various animal breeds.
• Participate in the preparation and administration of assigned budgets.
• Plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines.
• Organize and coordinate community outreach events.
• Respond tactfully, clearly, concisely, and appropriately to inquiries from the public, City staff, or other agencies on sensitive issues in area of responsibility.
• Work comfortably and safely with and around animals, including those who are sick, injured, or aggressive or who may be euthanized.
• Work safely with potentially aggressive animals and hazardous chemicals.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Engage with a diverse public and workforce, facilitating inclusive service delivery, and implementing equitable city policies.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

Completion of the twelfth (12th) grade and three (3) years of experience planning, executing, and marketing events.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain by the time of appointment, an appropriate, valid California driver’s license.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

When assigned to an office environment:

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to operate a motor vehicle to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Standing in and walking between work areas is frequently required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, and reach to perform assigned duties, as well as push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals with disabilities who are qualified to perform essential functions of a position or positions within this classification.

When assigned to a field environment:

Must possess mobility to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, bend, stoop, squat, crouch, and grasp; to climb and descend ladders; strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light to medium physical work, to work in confining spaces and around machines; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone or radio. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate the above-mentioned tools and equipment. Employees must be able to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 50 pounds, or heavier weights with proper equipment and assistance from other staff. Reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals with disabilities qualified to perform essential functions of a position or positions within this classification.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Employees predominately work in an office environment with moderate to loud noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may work in the field and occasionally be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous chemical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with members of the public or with staff under emotionally stressful conditions while interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Employees may be required to work extended hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

The information listed above is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract. The City of Elk Grove is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and professionalism. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, should special accommodations be necessary at any stage of the selection process, please contact the Human Resources Department at (916) 478-2230.

CITY OF ELK GROVE

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT SUMMARY - NON REPRESENTED

Annual Leave (vacation/sick)
Upon Hire 176 hours 6.77 hours per pay period
5 Year Anniversary 216 hours 8.31 hours per pay period
10 Year Anniversary 232 hours 8.92 per pay period
15 Year Anniversary 256 hours 9.85 hours per pay period
20 Year anniversary 272 hours 10.46 per pay period

Deferred Compensation

Employee may participate in a 457 deferred compensation plan up to maximum allowed by law.

Deferred Compensation - City Match

The City will match up to 4% of employee's salary to a deferred compensation plan. There is a 1 year vesting period.

Employee Assistance Program

Available to employee and immediate family.

Flexible Spending Account

Covers IRS approved medical and/or approved dependent care expenses to be paid on a pre-tax basis.

• Medical spending up to $3,300.00 annually.
• Dependent care up to $5,000 annually.
• Adoption Assistance FSA up to $16,810 annually.

Health (Medical) Insurance
The City participates in the CalPERS Health Plan (PEMHCA) and offers a "cafeteria plan," which includes a monthly City contribution that an employee may apply toward premiums for medical insurance.

The City's Contribution rates for the 2025 plan year are as follows:

Single: up to $1,001.61 per month
2-Party: up to $2,003.22 per month
Family: up to $2,604.19 per month

Employees who show evidence of other group health insurance coverage and waive enrollment in a CalPERS health plan shall receive a taxable in lieu cash fringe allowance of $300 per month.

Dental Insurance
100% City paid for employee and eligible dependents if enrolled in the City's medical plan.

Vision Insurance
100% City paid for employee and eligible dependents if enrolled in the City's medical plan.

Pet Insurance
City employees are eligible to purchase pet insurance at a discounted premium rate through MetLife.

Supplemental Health Insurance
The City provides supplemental health insurance up to $15,000 per year for eligible participants.

Retirement Health savings Account

City provided defined contribution program for IRS-eligible medical expenses upon retirement.

Holidays

Twelve (12) paid holidays per year and sixteen (16) floating holiday hours per fiscal year. Employees who are assigned by the Police Chief to work shifts receive a 5% Holiday Pay Differential in lieu of paid holidays and eight (8) floating holiday hours per fiscal year.

Alternative Work Schedules
Available depending on Department

Life Insurance

City provides Life insurance at 1X base salary with a minimum of $50,000 and maximum of $300,000. Additional life insurance may be purchased by employee up to a maximum of $500,000.

Military Leave

The City will pay qualified employees any difference between his/her base salary and the amount received in military reserve pay for regularly scheduled annual training that requires the employee to take military leave from his/her regular work week.

Retirement -PERS
Your CalPERS Pension formula will be dependent upon your hire date with the City of Elk Grove and/or your status with any Public Retirement System.

• 2.7% at 55 if hired before 8/12/12.
• 2% at 55 if hired after 8/12/12 and a current Classic member of CalPERS.
• 2% at 62 if hired after 1/1/13 and not a Classic member of CalPERS.

Internal applicants will remain in their current retirement formula unless they are moving from a safety to miscellaneous classification.

Short Term/Long Term Disability

• The City provides Short-Term Disability coverage @ 66.67% of income, up to a maximum benefit of $2,300 per week and Long-Term Disability coverage @ 66.67% of income, up to a maximum benefit of $15,000 per month.
• The City also provides Paid Family Leave coverage @ 60-70% of weekly earnings up to a maximum of $,1623 per week.

City employees DO NOT contribute to the California State Disability Insurance (SDI) program.

Social Security

City offers an IRS qualifying retirement plan, therefore, employees do not currently participate in the Social Security program.

Tuition Reimbursement

80% up to $2,000/year for City related Certification programss.
80% up to 3,500/year for Associates, Bachelors or Masters Degree

Wellness Program

Amazing on-site Wellness Coordinator and multiple fitness and wellness classes such as yoga and pilates available throughout the week!

Closing Date/Time: 8/25/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

• 

• City of Elk Grove

• (916) 478-2208

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