Adoptions Associate

Cleveland Animal Protective League; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 19,320 - 27,517; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused animal welfare organization in Cleveland is seeking an Adoptions Associate to provide quality customer service and support animal placement. The role involves interacting with clients, conducting adoptions, and ensuring the proper care of shelter animals. Ideal candidates will have a passion for animal welfare, strong communication skills, and must be able to handle animals safely. This position offers a pay range of $17.00/hr and is expected to uphold the organization's core values of compassion, advocacy, and community engagement.

Qualifications

• Must possess an Ohio driver’s license with an insurable driving record.
• Euthanasia certified or able to achieve certification within six months.
• Supports a diverse and inclusive culture.

Responsibilities

• Provide quality customer service to clients and volunteers.
• Conduct adoptions and provide guidance on animal selection.
• Maintain accurate records and inform supervisors about animal concerns.

Skills

Customer service

Animal handling

Communication

Euthanasia

Compassion

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associates degree in business or related field

Job description

Adoptions Associate

Department: Shelter
Classification: Full time or Part time, hourly, non‑exempt
Job Relationship: Reports to Adoptions & Retail Supervisor. Works closely with Animal Care Department and Volunteers.

Position Summary: Responsible for providing quality customer service and ensuring good placement for our shelter animals.

Pay Range

Base pay range: $17.00/hr – $17.00/hr. (Actual pay based on skills and experience.)

Essential Job Functions

Client Services Duties

• Represents the APL in a professional and courteous manner at all times. Provides quality service to customers, volunteers, and staff recognizing their individual contributions to the success of our organization.
• Provides prompt in‑person and telephone customer service.
• Actively solicits donations from clients, assists with accepting in‑kind donations.
• Generates revenue in retail sales through suggestive selling prior to completing transactions.
• Actively promotes and markets APL animals and matches them to appropriate families.
• Educates clients on responsible animal guardianship and animal care.
• Conducts adoptions, provides adoption counselling/animal selection assistance, enters computer data, completes necessary paperwork and performs follow‑up services.
• Assists clients seeking lost or adoptable animals.
• Actively promotes the APL programmes and events to clients, volunteers, and staff.
• Participates on committees and special projects as assigned.
• Keeps service desk areas orderly, stocked and cleaned following disinfection protocol.
• Assists in the training of new staff/volunteers as assigned.
• Promotes communication and cooperation between APL departments.
• Keeps up to date on organisational communications by attending All Staff Meetings or reading the News Hound.

Care of Shelter Animals

• Keeps Supervisor and Animal Care Department informed of animal behaviour, health or concerns.
• Maintains accurate kennel and computer records.
• Performs Closing Supervisor duties as assigned.
• Performs daily cleaning of public areas.
• Stocks areas and spot‑cleans kennels and public areas throughout the day.
• Informs supervisor of special needs cases for potential public relations or direct mail pieces.
• Follows all safety guidelines to ensure a safe work environment. Takes immediate action to address any safety concern or noncompliance of safety rules that could put an employee, volunteer, client, animal or the organisation at risk.
• Performs euthanasia as assigned.
• Ensures animals are treated with a Fear Free approach in the shelter, at off‑site events and as they transition into their new homes.

Other Duties as Assigned

Performed as required by supervisor.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Associates degree in business, communications, retail or related field desirable.
• Internal applicants currently in good standing.
• Must possess an Ohio driver’s licence with an insurable driving record.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment with a variety of people.
• Ability to use a computer in a Windows environment.
• Ability to read and understand instructions.
• Knowledge of animal breed, behaviour and handling.
• Knowledge of animal health, ability to identify illness helpful.
• Ability to prioritise and perform duties efficiently and effectively with an adequate amount of independence.
• Euthanasia certified or ability to become euthanasia certified within six months of employment; willing to perform euthanasia.
• Committed to maintaining the Cleveland Animal Protective League’s high standard of animal care and mission to foster compassion and end animal suffering.
• Fear Free certified or must become certified within six months of hire.
• Supports the APL’s desire to celebrate a diverse and inclusive culture that fuels the compassion that connects us to one another.

Working Conditions

Work is performed constantly in an animal shelter that operates seven days per week with exposure to animals, including some with questionable health and temperament concerns, high noise levels, zoonotic diseases and cleaning agents. Subject to animal bites and scratches. The person in this position needs to be able to stand for up to ten hours per day and regularly operate a computer, telephone and other office equipment. Constantly positions self to handle animals of all sizes in a variety of areas and positions. Frequently moves animals through the shelter on a leash or using other safe restraint and animal handling equipment. Must detect and recognise animal behaviour that is potentially dangerous. Must perform physical work such as scrubbing, mopping, bending, lifting, walking and standing and lift up to fifty pounds with assistance. Constantly communicates with staff members and volunteers who have inquiries about their job responsibilities and animal needs and must exchange accurate information. Must modify schedule to meet the APL’s operational needs.

Employees will be required to follow any other job‑related duties required by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise, other than an “at‑will” relationship.

Our Core Values

• Compassion – We are compassion in action. We believe every animal and person has value and worth and should be treated with respect, empathy and kindness to support the human‑animal bond.
• Advocacy – We are the voice for animals, dedicated to lifesaving solutions that advance their quality of life and promote their place in society.
• Leadership – We act with integrity, creativity, duty to community and have the courage to change. These are driving forces that make us a leading animal welfare organisation.
• Innovation – We are devoted to pioneering new approaches to the evolving challenges animals face by developing ethical, humane solutions and working in partnership with the public and animal welfare community.
• Community – We continually strive to be a diverse and inclusive team and believe we must all work together to best fulfil our vision.