Volunteer Services Assistant
Company : Shriners Children's Florida
Location : Sacramento, CA, 95817
Job Type : Volunteer
Date Posted : 13 January 2026
Company Overview
Shriners Children’s is an organization that respects, supports, and values each other. Named as the 2025 best mid-sized employer by Forbes, we are engaged in providing excellence in patient care, embracing multi-disciplinary education, and research with global impact. We foster a learning environment that values evidenced based practice, experience, innovation, and critical thinking. Our compassion, integrity, accountability, and resilience define us as leaders in pediatric specialty care for our children and their families.
All employees are eligible for medical coverage on their first day! In addition, upon hire all employees are eligible for a 403(b) and Roth 403 (b) Retirement Saving Plan with matching contributions of up to 6% after one year of service. Employees in a FT or PT status (40+ hours per pay period) will also be eligible for paid time off, life insurance, short term and long-term disability and the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) plans and a Health Savings Account (HSA) if a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) is elected. Additional benefits available to FT and PT employees include tuition reimbursement, home & auto, hospitalization, critical illness, pet insurance and much more! Coverage is available to employees and their qualified dependents in accordance with the plans. Benefits may vary based on state law.
Shriners Children’s Northern California is proud to be nationally ranked as a leader in pediatric orthopedics by U.S. News & World Report, in partnership with UC Davis Children’s Hospital. As an ACS-verified Level I Children’s Surgery Center, we are committed to providing world-class care in a family-centered environment. Our state-of-the-art facility specializes in orthopedics, rehabilitation, burns, pediatric surgery and cleft lip and palate services, transforming the lives of thousands of children every year from around the world.
Joining our team means being part of a mission-driven organization dedicated to innovation, collaboration and making a lasting impact on the lives of our patients and their families. At Shriners Children’s Northern California, you’ll find a supportive community, opportunities for growth, and the chance to contribute to life-changing work every day.
Job Overview
This position performs a variety of administrative support for the Volunteer Services Department. Functions include testing and evaluation of pet therapy teams; mentoring, scheduling and overseeing all pet therapy activities, (i.e. hospital visits, community outreach and education); maintaining a variety of computerized and manual record keeping systems related to volunteer personnel; providing responsible administrative support to Manager; and performing a variety of support functions related to recruitment, placement and orientation processes for new volunteers.
Requires knowledge of basic record keeping and filing systems, strong spelling/grammar skills and proficiency with office methods/procedures, as well as Microsoft Office (Word and Excel). Knowledge of therapy programs preferred.
This position is full time, non-exempt and benefits eligible. The pay range for this position is $29.98 - $42.30/hour. Compensation is determined based on years of experience and departmental equity.
Responsibilities
- Maintains a variety of computerized and manual record keeping systems related to volunteer personnel; establishes and maintains various tracking systems, logs, and databases
- Provides responsible administrative support to Manager
- Performs a variety of support functions related to recruitment, placement and orientation processes for new volunteers
- Performs a variety of responsible support functions for assigned special projects relating tovolunteers
- Responsible for the coordination of Pet Therapy Program, a.k.a. Animal Assisted Activities/AnimalAssisted Therapy
This is not an all-inclusive list of this job’s responsibilities. The incumbent may be required to perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.
Qualifications
Minimum:
- Computer skills/windows based
- Pet therapy experience
- Animal behavior experience
Preferred:
- Administrative experience in a healthcare setting
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Frequently asked questions
To excel as a Volunteer Services Assistant in Sacramento, candidates often bring strong administrative skills paired with pet therapy experience. Familiarity with animal behavior and proficiency in Microsoft Office tools enhance efficiency, especially in managing volunteer records and coordinating therapy programs within healthcare settings.
In pediatric healthcare, a Volunteer Services Assistant's responsibilities can expand from administrative tasks to orchestrating specialized programs like pet therapy. This growth often includes mentoring volunteers and managing outreach efforts, reflecting a dynamic role that blends organization with compassionate patient support.
Managing therapy animal programs demands balancing animal behavior unpredictability with hospital schedules. Volunteer coordinators must ensure safety, maintain meticulous records, and adapt to fluctuating patient needs, all while fostering effective communication among volunteers and clinical teams.
While formal certifications for volunteer coordination vary, credentials in pet therapy or healthcare administration are highly valued in Northern California. Institutions like Shriners Children’s often prefer candidates versed in animal-assisted therapy and healthcare compliance, enhancing recruitment competitiveness locally.
Sacramento's moderate cost of living allows Volunteer Services Assistants to expect salaries reflecting regional economic conditions. With pay rates ranging between $29.98 and $42.30 per hour at Shriners Children’s Florida, compensation aligns with local standards while factoring in healthcare benefits and retirement plans.
Shriners Children’s Florida integrates volunteer coordination with specialized pet therapy oversight, blending administrative duties with unique therapeutic program management. The organization’s emphasis on pediatric specialty care and comprehensive employee benefits also sets this role apart in the healthcare volunteer sector.
The company’s dedication to compassion, integrity, and innovation shapes the Volunteer Services role by fostering a supportive environment. Assistants are encouraged to engage collaboratively, contributing to life-changing pediatric care while benefiting from robust employee support including education and wellness programs.
One frequent misunderstanding is that the role is solely clerical. In truth, it involves active program coordination, volunteer mentorship, and specialized tasks like pet therapy management. It requires interpersonal skills, animal knowledge, and adaptability beyond standard administrative support.
Sacramento’s volunteer coordination positions benefit from steady demand due to its growing healthcare sector, though competition remains moderate compared to larger metro areas like Los Angeles or San Francisco. Local employers value candidates with combined administrative and specialized therapy program experience.
Mastery of Microsoft Word and Excel is critical for managing volunteer databases, tracking schedules, and documenting therapy sessions. Familiarity with Windows-based systems and digital record-keeping tools supports seamless administrative workflows in busy healthcare volunteer departments.