Adoption Counselor (Part-Time)

Richmond SPCA • Richmond, VA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Richmond SPCA is a non-profit organization dedicated to animal welfare, aiming to create a community that saves, protects, and enriches animal lives. Their mission includes providing education and resources to achieve a no-kill community. Annually, they rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome approximately 4,000 animals and offer vital programs to keep pets in loving homes. The organization values collaboration, creativity, honesty, inclusion, and respect. They operate with an open adoption policy, focusing on making the best matches between pets and people through welcoming and non-judgmental conversations. They also serve as a lasting resource for adopters after the adoption process is complete.

Requirements

• Outstanding customer service skills
• Have reliable transportation including during inclement weather
• Be 18 years of age or older
• Availability to work on both weekend days, some holidays, and some weekdays
• Alignment with the Richmond SPCA’s mission to achieve and sustain a no-kill community – including promoting pet adoption and spaying/neutering – and to utilizing reward-based, positive reinforcement (R+) training methods
• Effective, professional, and empathetic communication (written and verbal) with the public, volunteers, and all Richmond SPCA employees
• Attitude that contributes to a welcoming, accessible, compassionate, and respectful atmosphere
• Comfort handling or learning to handle dogs and cats with a variety of medical and behavioral needs
• Ability to multi-task, take and follow directions, and adapt to and productively accommodate changing demands – all with excellent attention to detail
• Basic computer skills (experience using Microsoft 365 a plus)
• Punctuality and reliability are essential, as well as good time management and prioritization skills
• Work independently with little supervision at times
• Maintain confidentiality as requested
• Independent worker who also thrives as part of a team
• Able to work with animals (including those who are sick or injured or who have behavior challenges) and around loud noises, cat litter, animal waste, allergens (pet dander, peanut butter), various chemicals and disinfectants
• Able to bend, kneel, stoop, use stairs, and use your arms in a repetitive manner
• Able to be on your feet for an entire 8-hour shift
• Have physical strength to perform cleaning duties effectively and efficiently

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual (English and Spanish) preferred, but not required

Responsibilities

• Introduce people and pets, facilitating pet-to-pet meetings as needed, discussing medical and behavioral records at length, answering any and all questions throughout the adoption process and offering support post-adoption as needed
• Assist potential adopters by gathering information about their expectations of pet ownership to help best match them with the pets currently available for adoption
• Maintain a non-judgmental attitude and treat every potential adopter with kindness and respect
• Navigate difficult and uncomfortable conversations about pet ownership as needed in order to educate potential adopters about a variety of pet ownership topics
• Finalize the adoption process by operating a point of sale system in our pet supply shop, handling cash and card transaction, and selling pet supplies where sales directly benefit animals in need
• Clean work areas before, during and after pet visitations and preserve the physical appearance of the adoption center
• Report any pet medical and behavioral concerns or observations to veterinary staff and/or behavior and training teams for monitoring
• Maintain open and regular communication with the Director of the Adoption Center, Assistant Managers and Lead Adoption Counselors
• Perform side duties daily
• Attend and participate in all required trainings and meetings

Benefits

• Low-cost, full-service Susan M. Markel Veterinary Hospital services
• Employee Assistance Program
• Voluntary (employee-paid) benefits including accident insurance, hospital indemnity and critical illness insurance (for employees averaging 15+ hours per week)
• 401(k) retirement plan (for employees averaging 20+ hours per week)
• Paid wellness leave (for employees averaging 20+ hours per week)
• Insurance benefits, including medical, dental, and vision, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, and paid personal leave (for full-time employees)
• Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed