Adoption Associate (Part-time)

HSSV•Milpitas, CA

About The Position

Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) is a privately funded 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has served people and pets in Silicon Valley since 1929. Its mission is to save lives, keep families together, and create a better future for pets and their people. Adoption Associates support this mission by helping visitors find animals suited to their interests, needs, and living environments, while ensuring each person receives a respectful, individualized adoption experience. The role also includes educating adopters, supporting volunteers, caring for animals at offsite adoption locations, and completing accurate adoption and payment records. The position requires a positive, empathetic, detail-oriented team member who is comfortable handling animals and working in a fast-paced environment. Hours may vary depending on staffing needs, and the schedule includes at least one regularly scheduled weekend day.

Requirements

Customer service experience is required.
Comfort interacting with and safely handling dogs and cats.
Detail-oriented, reliable, punctual, and able to work well in a team environment.
Flexible and understanding that each situation, customer, and animal is unique.
Positive, empathetic attitude, passion for working with animals and people, and good judgment.
Ability to follow directions and work independently with minimal supervision.
Effective written and oral communication skills and a considerate, courteous attitude toward the public, volunteers, and employees.
Computer proficiency, including use of Microsoft Word and Excel.
Ability to handle animals safely and humanely and frequently lift and carry animals weighing up to 40 pounds.
Ability to walk on paved or unpaved surfaces that may be wet or dry.
Ability to lead and control large animals and sit and stand for extended periods of up to 45 minutes.
Availability to work at least one regularly scheduled weekend day; hours may vary depending on staffing needs.

Nice To Haves

Animal-related experience.
Database experience.

Responsibilities

Provide exceptional service to visitors and help them identify animals that match their interests, needs, and living environments.
Educate potential adopters about companion animal care and behavior solutions, and provide adopters with follow-up guidance and resources.
Mentor and train volunteers to ensure HSSV policies and procedures are followed.
Monitor and assist the public and volunteers with safe animal handling to ensure humane treatment of shelter animals.
Answer phone calls and emails promptly and courteously, providing accurate information.
Coordinate and prepare for special adoption events.
Assess shelter animal behavior, including cursory evaluations and full behavioral evaluations of kittens, rabbits, and rodents, and communicate changes to the HSSV team.
Provide daily animal care at offsite adoption locations, including feeding, cleaning and disinfecting, administering prescribed medication, and transporting animals.
Demonstrate understanding of animal diseases and their transmission to animals and people.
Identify animals in distress and help alleviate their distress with support from supervisors and the manager.
Solicit visitor donations to meet or exceed fundraising goals.
Accurately record adoption records and fees in the shelter system, process payments, and close and settle daily transactions.
Interact pleasantly, courteously, tactfully, and professionally with visitors; promote a positive public image and keep areas clean, safe, and maintained daily.
Know HSSV policies and programs and direct visitors to the appropriate resources.
Perform other duties as assigned.