About Job

POSITION TITLE: Adoptions Counselor

REPORTS TO: Adoptions Manager

SCHEDULE: Part-time(Sarturday and Sunday)

COMPENSATION: $16.50-20/hr DOE

Work Schedule

Position includes weekend and holiday hours requiring a flexible work schedule depending on needs.
Hours and days are subject to change based on department demands.

Do you love animals? This is an incredibly rewarding job that gives you the opportunity to work directly with dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and other companion animals every day. Adoptions Counselors work with potential adopters to find new homes for shelter animals and provide education and support for the care those animals will need. The Adoptions team is fun, upbeat and creative and thrive on seeing pets leave the shelter and go home!

Under the direction of the Adoptions Manager in all activities and responsibilities, the Adoption Counselor’s main purpose is to serve the public in a professional, expedient, and courteous manner and to be the primary contact for all adoption clients. The Adoptions Counselor is responsible for facilitating adoptions of animals in our care.

The Adoptions Program at Utah Humane has a goal that is simple and powerful; we are looking to help end animal homelessness in our community by connecting people and pets for adoption. Utah Humane Adoptions Counselors are innovative, charismatic, forward-thinking individuals. Utah Humane employs an open adoption approach where we understand that there is no such thing as the “perfect home” and we welcome all clients as potential adopters. Using this approach, the adoption process is conversation-based and non-judgmental. Our focus is on matching pets with people and providing resources to continue assisting post-adoption.

Required Skills/Qualifications

Strong customer service skills.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with the public, fellow employees, and volunteers.
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Self-motivated and able to manage multiple projects at a time.
Proficiency in Excel, Gmail, Google Sheets/Docs, and other computer skills that include the ability to prepare reports and maintain an efficient records system.
High school diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Skills/Qualifications

Professional experience in retail customer service.
Knowledge of veterinary care/animal health.
Bilingual Spanish Speaker

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

Ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb and manipulate (lift, carry, move) up to 50 pounds.
Ability to work outdoors in varying temperatures and climates.
Ability to work with animals of varying temperament in noisy conditions.
Ability to work with cleaning materials.
Ability to use strength and agility while working with active animals.
Responsible for presenting a neat and professional appearance to the public at all times.

Primary Responsibilities

Cheerfully acknowledge the presence of customers in all public areas, and interact with the public in a polite, professional, nonjudgmental manner at all times. Deliver high-level customer service to Utah Humane’s patrons.
Manage emotionally difficult situations with strong communication skills.
Help people through the adoption process, sharing information aboutanimal care and behavior, reviewing adoption applications, interviewingapplicants in a conversational way, making decisions to finalize or deny anadoption, and communicating with the applicant in such a manner thatmaintains a courteous and friendly attitude even when declining a request.
Follow up on adoptions by phone once the animal has been placed in thenew home.
Actively reach out to and interact with the general public, specificallytalking with prospective adopters to find out what they are looking for in apet.
Provide information about Utah Humane’s resources and programs.
Prepare and reconcile statements of daily financial transactions.
Safely handle, restrain, and move animals. This includes coordination and movement to address contagion concerns.
Administer vaccinations and medications.
Communicate with other departments to coordinate and assist with care of shelter animals.
Contribute to and lead initiatives to improve processes and procedures.
Clean and sanitize adoption areas.
Treat all animals humanely, properly, and with compassion at all times, regardless of the situation or circumstance; promote a humane and caring attitude toward all animals at all times.
Maintain positive relationships with co-workers, managers, executive staff, community pet owners, adopters and other stakeholders.
Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director or Pet Resource Center Director.

This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related duties required by management. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship.

At the Utah Humane Society, we don't just accept difference - we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our animals, and our community. The Utah Humane Society of an equal opportunity employer. Employment at the Utah Humane Society is based solely on a person's merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. At the Utah Humane Society, we do not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age (40 and over), genetic information, veteran or military status, marital status, pregnancy or relation condition (including childbirth and breastfeeding), or any other basis protected by state or federal law.

It is the Utah Humane Society's policy to comply with all applicable national, state, and local laws pertaining to nondiscrimination and equal opportunity. The organization's EEO policy, as well as its affirmative action obligations, includes the full and complete support of the organization, including its Executive Director. Because it's just the right thing to do. We hope you think so, too.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $16.50 - $20.00 per hour

Expected hours: 15 – 20 per week

Benefits: