Adoption Counselor

The humane society of yuma; Yuma (AZ); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The Humane Society of Yuma seeks an Adoption Counselor to assist the public in finding suitable adoption matches and conduct consultations on animal care and behavior. You will assemble literature packets and review applications with potential adopters to guide responsible outcomes.

Responsibilities include processing adoptions, maintaining records, and coordinating with shelter operations while promoting humane treatment and teamwork within a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Energetic and enthusiastic demeanor for engaging with the public.
• Excellent oral and written communication capabilities.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team.
• Comfort with learning shelter software and record keeping.

Responsibilities

• Conduct pet adoption consultations and assist with match recommendations.
• Explain animal care and behavior to new pet owners.
• Process adoption applications and communicate decisions politely.
• Maintain adoption records and enter data into shelter software.
• Advise on animal surrender alternatives to keep pets at home.
• Ensure humane treatment of all animals at all times.

Skills

Energetic and enthusiastic

Communication skills

Independent and team work

Computer literacy

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

Shelter software

Job description

Job Title: Adoption Counselor

Reports to: Adoptions Supervisor

Summary:

Assist the public in making appropriate adoption matches, conduct adoption and behavioral consultations, as needed. Assemble adoption literature packets for adoption consultations. Review adoption application with potential adopter and assists the adopter in knowing animal’s specific traits that have been identified as concerning. Conduct all post-consultation activities prior to and following the adoption. Consult with owner in animal surrender situations. Must have the ability towork both cooperatively in ateamenvironment, as well as, independently.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

• Perform pet consultations to include interacting with the prospective adopters to find out what they are looking for in an animal and make suggestions as to the best possible match
• Counsel new pet owners on characteristics of the animals care and behavior
• Facilitate the adoption process by helping people through the process, reviewing the application and making decisions to finalize or deny an adoption, and communicating with the potential adopter in such a manner that maintains a courteous and friendly attitude even when declining an adoption request
• Organize adoption paperwork by maintaining a complete file of actions associated with the adoption ensuring accuracy and entering that information into shelter software program
• Advise pet owners who are attempting to surrender their pets with the goal of keeping their pet in their home
• Treat all animals humanely, properly, and with compassion at all times, regardless of the situation of circumstance and promoting a humane and caring attitude
• Develop a working knowledge of all animals available for adoption through hands-on interaction, review of paperwork and database information
• Develop specific knowledge of each animal currently in the shelter by name, type, age, gender and any breed/mix characteristics and behavioral considerations specific to each animal and their character
• Assist with the movement of animals from the kennels to the clinic on a daily basis
• Communicate and coordinate animal transfers to and from Petsmart EAC/ Shelter.
• Coordinate and complete surgery list for kennel animals.

Additional Petsmart location essential duties and responsibilities:

• Clean and maintain Petsmart Everyday Adoption Center (EAC), which includes sweeping, mopping, laundry, cleaning windows and walls, and picking up fecal matter.
• Customer service at Petsmart EAC includes traditional reception work; such as, answering the phone, payment processing, and issuing pet licensing for local municipalities.
• Communicate and coordinate animal transfers to and from Petsmart EAC/Shelter.
• Complete medical and behavioral checks of the animals. May need to administer booster shots and medication as needed.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required
• Must be energetic and enthusiastic
• Computer literate with the ability to quickly learn software specific to animal shelters
• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability and initiative, working with minimal supervision
• Flexible with the ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast paced environment
• Must be able to work independently, as well as, in a team environment
• Ability to work with animals of unknown disposition and those who may exhibit medical and other problems, as well as, aggressive tendencies

Physical Demands and Abilities:

• Frequently required to stand, sit, walk, run, jump, bend, twist, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; taste or smell; use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools or controls.
• Frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to work in varying temperatures and climate change

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to noxious odors, fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals. Exposure to animal diseases and in the presence of injured, vicious, or frightened animals and potentially volatile situations which can present risk of violence or injury. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to occasionally loud.

The above noted job description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned but rather to give the associate a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of his/her position. As the nature of business demands change so, too, may the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.