Adoption Counselor

Austin Humane Society; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

A local animal shelter in Austin, TX is seeking an Adoption Counselor to facilitate animal adoptions and provide exceptional customer service. The ideal candidate possesses at least two years of customer service experience in a fast-paced environment and strong animal handling skills. This position entails ensuring visitors have a positive experience, conducting post-adoption follow-ups, and maintaining animal care. Join a dedicated team committed to saving lives through innovative services and community engagement.

Qualifications

• Candidates must have two years of customer service experience in a fast-paced environment.
• Ideal candidates will also have animal handling and/or veterinary medical experience.
• Excellent customer service skills and strong attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Ensure an exemplary experience for all visitors.
• Facilitate on-site and off-site adoptions and events.
• Daily cleaning and feeding of animals.
• Maintain accurate data in the Petpoint system.
• Transport: Transport animals for off-site events and locations as needed.
• Communication/Training: Complete required trainings, cross-train in other departments, meet regularly with supervisors, and attend departmental and staff meetings.
• Other Duties as Assigned: Perform additional tasks as directed.

Skills

Customer service

Animal handling

Attention to detail

Education

2 years of customer service experience

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Legal Address - Austin, TX 78752

Position Type: Full Time

Job Category: Customer Service

Job Description

Adoption Counselor

Position: Adoption Counselor

Reports to: Adoption Supervisor

Organization: The Austin Humane Society (founded 1952) is Austin’s largest, longest standing, no‑kill, non‑profit animal shelter dedicated to eliminating unnecessary euthanasia of dogs and cats. Our mission is supported through innovative life‑saving adoption programs, high‑volume spay and neuter programs, community engagement, and crisis response services.

Position Description

Adoption Counselors are responsible for placing animals into appropriate homes using fair and impartial matching techniques to maximize lives saved through adoption while providing exemplary customer service to all who interact with the Austin Humane Society.

Responsibilities

• Customer Service: Ensure an exemplary experience for all visitors, counsel adopters through the process, provide follow‑up, maintain the adoption center’s appearance, and assist shelter visitors. Maintain relationships with off‑site adoption venues.
• Adoption of Animals: Facilitate on‑site and off‑site adoptions and events, place animals into quality homes, conduct post‑adoption follow‑up, and safely handle animals during visits.
• Animal Care, Cleaning and Sanitation: Daily cleaning and feeding of animals, maintain the adoption lobby, ensure proper animal placement, and report behavioral or medical issues.
• Data Entry and Record Keeping: Maintain accurate data in the Petpoint system, file information, and manage daily adoption deposits.
• Transport: Transport animals for off‑site events and locations as needed.
• Communication/Training: Complete required trainings, cross‑train in other departments, meet regularly with supervisors, and attend departmental and staff meetings.
• Other Duties as Assigned: Perform additional tasks as directed.

Qualifications

Candidates must have two years of customer service experience in a fast‑paced environment. Ideal candidates will also have animal handling and/or veterinary medical experience and exhibit exemplary customer service skills and strong attention to detail.

Physical and Mental Requirements

• Seeing: Yes
• Ability to move distances within & between locations/offices: Yes
• Lifting (60 pounds): Yes
• Color Perception (Red, Green, Amber): Yes
• Climbing: No
• Carrying (60 pounds): Yes
• Hearing/Listening: Yes
• Ability to mount & dismount forklift/truck: No
• Driving (local/over the road): Yes
• Clear Speech: Yes
• Pushing/Pulling: Yes
• Other: Yes
• Touching (Dexterity): Yes
• Touching (Hand): Yes
• Touching (Finger): Yes

Mental Reasoning Requirements

• Reading (Simple): Yes
• Reading (Complex): Yes
• Writing (Simple): Yes
• Writing (Complex): Yes
• Analysis/Comprehension: Yes
• Clerical: Yes
• Judgment/Decision Making: Yes
• Basic Math Skills: Yes

Work Environment

• Shift Work: No
• Works Alone: Yes
• Works with Others: Yes
• Verbal Contact with Others: Yes
• Face‑to‑Face Contact: Yes
• Works Inside: Yes
• Works Outside: Yes
• Extreme Heat: No
• Extreme Cold: No
• Noise: Yes
• Mechanical Equipment: Yes
• Electrical Equipment: Yes
• Pressurized Equipment: Yes
• Moving Objects: Yes
• High Places: No
• Fumes/Odors: Yes
• Hazardous Materials: Yes
• Dirt Dust: Yes

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of this position.