Adoption Associate (Part-time)

Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV), a privately funded, 501(c)(3) non-profit, has been serving people and pets in Silicon Valley since 1929. HSSV is a leader in animal welfare through our lifesaving efforts, community programs, and the many ways we are working to move the animal welfare industry forward. Our mission is to save lives, keep families together, and create a better future for pets and their people.

We are a passionate, high-performing team who believes that collaboration is key to our success. Our best work is achieved by leveraging each other’s strengths and creating opportunities for professional growth. Join a team that focuses on our key values of kindness, courage, and impact!

Overview

Our Adoption Associates are essential members of the HSSV team who directly support our life-saving mission! We are looking for someone who is positive, community oriented, fun loving and motivated to match adopters with their next best friend. The right candidate for this role will have a consistent and genuinely positive attitude and is passionate about helping pets find loving homes. You thrive in a fast-past, team-oriented work environment where there is always something to do and have an extreme eye for detail and are able to accurately complete processes. No two adopters are alike, you treat everyone with respect and cater each adoption experience to the individual.  

If you are passionate about saving the lives of homeless pets and relentless about success, then this is the role for you!  

Key Responsibilities

• Provide exceptional service to ensure that HSSV is “The Best Place to Adopt a Pet by working with visitors in determining animals that meet their interests, needs and living environment.  

• Educate potential adopters regarding companion animal care and best solutions to behavior issues and provide follow-up guidance and resources to adopters. 

• Mentor and train volunteers to ensure HSSV policies and procedures are followed. 

• Ensure the humane treatment of shelter animals at all times by monitoring and assisting the public and volunteers in safe animal handling. 

• Answer phone calls and emails promptly and courteously providing accurate information. 

• Coordinate and prepare for special adoption events. 

• Assess the behavior of shelter animals including cursory evaluations, and full behavioral evaluations of kittens, rabbits and rodents; communicate changes to HSSV team. 

• Daily animal care at offsite adoption locations, comprised of: feeding, cleaning and disinfecting, administering prescribed medication and animal transport. 

• Demonstrate understanding of animal diseases and transmission to other animals and people. 

• Identify animals in distress and assist to alleviate with support from supervisors and manager. 

• Solicit donations from visitors to meet or exceed fundraising goals. 

• Accurately record adoption records and fees in shelter system and process payments; close and settle daily transactions. 

• Act pleasant, courteous, tactful and professional with visitors at all times; promote a positive public image and ensure all areas are kept clean/safe and maintained daily. 

• Be knowledgeable about HSSV policies and programs in order to direct visitors to the right place. 

• Other job duties may be assigned as needed. 

Requirements

• Experience in a customer service environment required; animal related experience a plus. 

• Comfortable interacting with, and safely handling dogs and cats. 

• Must be detail-oriented, reliable, punctual and work well in a team environment. 

• Ability to be flexible and understanding that each situation, customer, animal is unique. 

• Positive, empathetic attitude with a passion for working with animals and people and must have good judgment skills. 

• Must be have ability to follow directions as well as work independently with minimal supervision. 

• Ability to communicate effectively (written and oral) and demonstrate an attitude of consideration and courtesy to all members of the public, volunteers and employees. 

• Proficient with computers and use of MS Word and Excel; database experience a plus. 

• Ability to handle animals safely and humanely and frequently lift and carry animals weighing up to 40lbs.  Walk on paved or unpaved surfaces, which may be wet or dry. Lead and control large animals and ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time up to 45 minutes.   

Work Days and Hours

Hours may vary depending on staffing needs. Will include both Saturday and Sunday on a regularly scheduled basis.  

Candidate Tip

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