Pet Adoption Counselor and Retail Lead for Nonprofit Cat Rescue

Help people have a great experience adopting a new furry family member! Seattle Area Feline Rescue is a small, high volume, non-profit cat rescue in Shoreline employing a low barrier adoption philosophy. We are seeking a full time (5 days / week) Adoption Counselor with a positive, non judgmental attitude to help adopters make a connection via a conversation-based process. The ideal candidate will be friendly and outgoing, with a customer service mindset (shelter and pet adoption experience is a bonus). If you have a passion for people and cats, a positive non-judgmental attitude, the ability to thrive in a distracting and busy environment, and are comfortable talking with people from a wide range of backgrounds (both on the phone and in person), please read on.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities

Cat Adoptions (estimate 65% of time)

• Welcome & orient callers, visitors, shoppers, donors and potential adopters and establish positive relationships with guests while promoting the SAFe Rescue programs, policies and philosophies
• Prepare the adoption floor for open days and ensure each cat ready to be listed for adoption has a complete record
• Manage adopter expectations and facilitate crowd management on busy adoption days
• Assist the public with cat adoptions using a conversational approach and our low barrier “Adopter’s Welcome” philosophy
• Match adopter expectations and lifestyles with cat personalities
• Provide adopters with prepared medical and behavioral information on cats
• Prepare cats for success in new home with advice on settling in
• Collect adoption payments and help customers select and purchase cat supplies
• Help market cats and kittens for adoption via engaging bios & social media posts

Retail Lead (estimate 15% of time)

• Coordinate product line offered in SAFe’s retail store
• Manage retail inventory, update POS system, and order when needed
• Create product displays
• Train and support retail / greeter volunteers

Adopter & Community Support (estimate 10% of time)

• Assist with post-adoption support program helping adopters with their new cats
• Provide advice, information and resources to community cat owners who need assistance with keeping their pet in their home

Rescue Support (estimate 10% of time)

• Attend regular staff meetings and work with other staff members on cross-department projects
• Answer the phone and check voicemail and email throughout the business day and respond or forward as appropriate
• Learn clean team, & cat care roles to help where needed on occasion
• Solicit in-person donations and receive / receipt product donations
• Other duties as needed

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Must be at least 18 years old and possess a High School Diploma or GED Equivalent
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a customer service orientation and ability to appropriately negotiate / manage conflict
• Ability to communicate effectively, courteously, and professionally, on the phone, in person, and via email, with a variety of individuals representing diverse cultures and backgrounds, in both spoken and written English (Fluency in a second language is a plus)
• Proficiency with computers and the ability to easily learn new software, including G suite.
• Retail & merchandising / marketing experience.
• Creative problem solver with a positive & outgoing style and a solutions-oriented attitude
• Ability to manage and maintain relationships with multiple coworkers, volunteers, and the community at large
• Ability to have and maintain a “can-do” positive attitude and approach in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to be flexible, detail oriented, and able to prioritize
• Ability to work effectively, both independently and in a team environment, in an atmosphere of distractions, multiple projects, shifting priorities, and deadline pressures
• Knowledge of and experience with animal care, handling, and behavior (or a willingness to learn)
• The position will directly supervise volunteers

Preferred Education, Skills, & Experience

• Advanced experience in customer service.
• Experience with ASM (Animal Shelter Manager), Square, Waitwhile and other online systems.
• Experience working or volunteering in a rescue or companion animal-focused environment.
• Experience supervising and training volunteers.

Working conditions

• Due to the nature of shelter work, employees may be exposed to deceased, fractious, or aggressive animals; hostile or irate persons; parasites, zoonotic or other diseases; unpleasant noises, odors, or sights; disinfectants and chemicals; and extreme temperatures.
• We are a small, but very busy rescue that serves adopters on a first come-first served basis. At times adopters can be disappointed if a cat is no longer available when it is their turn. We are looking for someone who can help manage expectations of adopters and ease frustrations in what can, at times, be a stressful environment.
• The position involves direct contact with cats, humans, computers and a variety of cat-related products.
• The position requires work across various shifts, including holidays, evenings, and weekends

Physical requirements

• Be able to stand, walk, sit, see, talk and hear, stoop, bend, squat, kneel, grasp grip, put fingers together firmly and reach above and below shoulder level and lift.
• Be able to push or pull 30 pounds for lifting food and animal care supplies.
• Be able to operate a tablet-based POS system.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Schedule

• This position is scheduled for Thursday-Monday from 10am-6pm and includes both Saturdays and Sundays

Employee Benefits

• Paid sick, holiday, and vacation time.
• Health & vision insurance with employer contribution
• Employer-sponsored retirement account
• Pet supplies and some veterinary services available to purchase at cost.
• Option to purchase Colonial Life supplemental insurance policy.

About SAFe Rescue

Seattle Area Feline Rescue takes in homeless cats and kittens, gives them the care they need to recover, and finds them loving homes. Over 1,600 felines, including seniors and special needs cats, find homes here each year as people in search of new friends visit our welcoming storefront Adoption Center. An extensive network of community volunteers and foster families helps the rescue carry out its mission to save more lives. Seattle Area Feline Rescue provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal state and local laws.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $22.00 - $25.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person