Adoption Associate (Part-time)

HSSV•Milpitas, CA

4d•$20 - $21

About The Position

Humane Society Silicon Valley is seeking a positive, community-oriented Adoption Associate to help match adopters with pets and support its lifesaving mission. The role provides individualized adoption experiences, educates adopters, supports volunteers, and helps ensure the humane care and safe handling of shelter animals. It also includes animal care at offsite adoption locations, adoption-event coordination, customer communications, recordkeeping, payment processing, and maintaining clean and safe public areas. Hours may vary according to staffing needs, and the role includes at least one regularly scheduled weekend day.

Requirements

Experience in a customer service environment 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 manner with the public, volunteers, and employees.
Proficient with computers and 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; lead and control large animals; and sit and stand for extended periods of up to 45 minutes.

Nice To Haves

Animal-related experience.
Database experience.

Responsibilities

Work with visitors to identify animals that match their interests, needs, and living environments, providing exceptional adoption service.
Educate potential adopters about companion animal care and solutions to behavior issues, and provide 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; 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 it with support from supervisors and the manager.
Solicit donations from visitors to meet or exceed fundraising goals.
Accurately record adoption records and fees in the shelter system, process payments, and close and settle daily transactions.
Treat visitors pleasantly, courteously, tactfully, and professionally; promote a positive public image and keep areas clean, safe, and maintained.
Know HSSV policies and programs to direct visitors appropriately.
Perform other duties as assigned.