Primary Job Purpose:
Spokane Humane Society is an animal welfare non-profit agency whose mission is supported 100% by donations from the community. The Animal Adoption Counselor is the first point of contact for visitors to the Spokane Humane Society. They are responsible for all aspects of animal adoption. This role involves staffing the front office, answering phone calls, and greeting the public in a helpful and courteous manner. The counselor also provides guidance and technical support to part-time staff and volunteers, assists with adoptions and handles complaints and difficult customers, and helps with the care, feeding, cleaning, and maintenance of shelter facilities.
The Animal Adoption Counselor is responsible for the following items:
Essential Duties:
- Sets up the cash register in the morning with startup funds. Conducts financial reports at the end of the day to verify that the cash register balance matches the total amount from daily transactions. Prepares deposits and securely stores all funds.
- Manages the front office area of the animal shelter, including answering telephone calls, directing calls appropriately, and greeting the public in a helpful and courteous manner. Guides visitors to the appropriate shelter areas and requests staff assistance when needed.
- Assists adoptive families in completing and submitting associated paperwork. Provides adoption packets and counsels families on potential issues. Enters data into ShelterLuv and accurately tracks pet disposition.
- Captures stories or special moments through photography, including but not limited to adoptions, donations from individuals and groups, and visits from previous adopters.
- Ensures accurate and appealing listings of animals on the website.
- Maintains accurate records of animals on hold for prospective adopters. Ensures timely treatment for animals on medical holds.
- Follows up with adopters to provide support, check-in, and instill confidence that the shelter is a reliable resource.
- Accepts and generates receipts for donations. Updates and maintains the in-kind log when customers do not require a receipt. Organizes donations in the appropriate area.
- Manages the food bank logs and assists customers requesting help from the food bank program.
- Utilizes suggestive selling techniques to boost retail revenues.
- Provides exceptional customer service while prioritizing the care and safety of the animals.
- Reports any special conditions or issues in the shelter to the Shelter Manager or designated supervisor.
- Actively participates in staff meetings to exchange ideas and suggestions and engages in ongoing education to enhance shelter operations. Attends required educational programs.
Qualifications and Position Requirements:
To effectively fulfill this role, an individual must satisfactorily execute each essential duty. The requirements include a high school diploma or GED, along with a basic understanding of computer operations, telephone usage, and office skills. Alternatively, a combination of experience, education, and training that equips the candidate with the necessary knowledge and abilities for the position will be considered. Strong communication skills are essential, enabling effective interaction with the public in a tactful and discreet manner. This includes responding to inquiries, comments, and complaints with composure and professionalism. The ability to follow written and verbal instructions, accurately draft reports, conduct retail transactions, perform precise mathematical calculations, and balance cash registers is paramount. The successful candidate must be capable of working with minimal direct supervision, adhering to established guidelines. Proficiency in operating personal computers, copy machines, telephones, miscellaneous office equipment, as well as janitorial and cleaning equipment is expected. Regular job duties involve walking, standing, stooping, sitting at a desk or table, entering data into a computer, and performing typical office tasks like filing. Additionally, physical control of animals resisting detention, physical fitness, and the capacity to exert or lift at least 50 pounds or more without limitations are required. Most work is conducted indoors, primarily at a desk or while caring for shelter animals.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $16.30 - $17.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
Work Location: In person