Admissions Specialist

Humane Society for Southwest Washington; Vancouver (WA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The Humane Society for Southwest Washington is seeking an Admissions Specialist to join our team in Vancouver, WA. This full-time, nonexempt position provides frontline support in a busy admissions center serving thousands of animals each year, partnering with animal control and volunteers.

The ideal candidate is community-minded, detail-focused, and possesses excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Qualifications

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to handle emotionally charged situations with empathy.
• Detail-oriented with strong records management.

Responsibilities

• Provide high quality customer service to patrons and co-workers.
• Conduct the admission of stray and relinquished animals following safety and intake protocols; enter data and complete paperwork.
• Perform lost and found program duties to assist patrons seeking lost animals.
• Provide essential animal care, as necessary.
• Maintain accurate kennel and computer records; keep desks tidy and stocked.
• Promote HSSW programs and events to clients, volunteers, and staff.

Skills

Communication skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Customer service

Job description

The Humane Society for Southwest Washington is currently seeking an

Description

The Humane Society for Southwest Washington is currently seeking an Admissions Specialist to join our team. This is a full-time FLSA nonexempt opportunity. Since 1897, HSSW has been the leader in animal welfare across Southwest Washington. With an annual operating budget of $15 million, we are the largest and most innovative animal welfare organization in the region. Our shelter campuses in Vancouver and Longview, WA serve more than 10,000 animals each year, providing high-quality care, medical services, and the compassion they deserve. Our community-based approach helps keep pets and people together. Through the Nierenberg Community Veterinary Clinic, the Sandra Richardson Miller Mobile Veterinary Clinic, the Swigert Family Behavior & Training Center, and programs like free pet food and other essential resources, we serve more than 18,000 owned animals annually expanding access to affordable veterinary care, spay/neuter, training, and support. We also own and operate ReTails Thrift Store, a top shopping destination named Best Thrift Store in Clark County for eight consecutive years, providing vital funding for our mission. At HSSW, you’ll find an innovative, high-energy culture where your passion for animals and people can make a real difference. We’re looking for team members who want to be part of something bigger: supporting pets, strengthening families, and shaping the future of animal welfare in Southwest Washington. HSSW has been honored as Best Non-Profit for two years running—a recognition of our impact and leadership in the community.

Admissions Specialist

The mission of the Admissions Specialist is to assist community members in working through a multitude of potentially emotional situations without judgement. From owner requested surrender of beloved pets to assisting community cat populations to redeeming pets back to their families, the Admissions Specialist will be in service to community members working through some of their toughest life choices. The ideal candidate will be a community minded individual who is detail focused, passionate about progressive animal sheltering, and who will see a bright future with a leading shelter in the Pacific Northwest. Providing excellent service to patrons in a fast-paced admissions center that serves over eight thousand animals per year, the Admissions Specialist takes a one team approach to daily work with other employees and volunteers. This position partners with animal control intakes, including large-scale seizures, lost & found program, and ensuring processes are updated as needed and adhered to. The Admissions Specialist critical work on the team to ensures consistent and effective pathway planning for newly arrived animals and ensure community access to surrender prevention support to reduce intake. The position requires a person with interest, enthusiasm, and affinity for working with a diverse group of people and animals, excellent verbal, and written communication skills. This position takes a one team approach to working with fellow staff, volunteers, and workforce partners. Admissions Specialist positions are FLSA non-exempt and may be either full-time (between thirty & forty hours per week) or part-time (less than thirty hours per week), reporting to the Population and Pathway Manager.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Level 1

• Provide high quality customer service to patrons and co-workers.
• Provide prompt in-person and telephone customer service.
• Conduct the admission of stray and relinquished animals following safety and intake protocols, enter computer data and complete necessary paperwork.
• Perform lost and found program duties to assist patrons seeking lost animals.
• Provide essential animal care, as necessary.
• Take immediate action to bring shelter-related issues, incidents, or equipment failures to the attention of supervisor.
• Actively solicit donations from clients, assist with accepting in-kind donations.
• Actively promote HSSW programs and events to clients, volunteers, and staff.
• Keep appropriate teams informed of animal behavior and health concerns.
• Maintain accurate kennel and computer records.
• Perform data entry tasks throughout the day and work with multi-line phone systems.
• Keep service desk areas orderly, stocked and cleaned following disinfection protocol.

Level 2

• Perform all essential duties and primary responsibilities as Level 1.
• With acquired knowledge, skills, and abilities perform as an independent decision maker in all aspects of Admissions with policies, procedures, and SOPs.
• Mentor and train fellow admissions team staff and volunteers to perform essential duties efficiently and effectively.
• Perform liaison duties for cases and intakes with animal control officers.
• Provide follow-up reports and documentation on animals with a court hold or protective custody statuses.
• Trained in cat and dog handling, safely bunking intakes in