Adoptions Associate - Spanish proficiency required January 2026

Animal Welfare League of Alexandria•Alexandria, VA

21h•Onsite

About The Position

Responsible for providing assistance to visitors and clients with AWLA-related business including, but not limited to adoption counseling, completing retail transactions and purchases by customers; answering phones; issuing licenses; receiving surrendered animals. Current schedule is Sunday thru Thursday 9am - 5:30pm.

Requirements

Spanish fluency required
High school diploma or equivalent
Current driver’s license
Proven ability to handle multiple tasks in a busy workplace environment d. Ability to accurately perform basic mathematical calculation
Understanding of humane care and treatment of animals
Experience in customer service including handling difficult situations and managing conflict
Strong interpersonal communication skills (verbal and writing) and proven ability to develop effective working relationships based on trust, positive attitude and follow through
Strong data entry skills and the ability to in maintain accurate records in a computer database system

Nice To Haves

Experience working or volunteering within an animal shelter (open admission preferred) or busy veterinary emergency clinic
Experience working or volunteering with a animal welfare organization
Training and experience in safe handling of dogs and cats

Responsibilities

Facilitating Adoptions: Use customer service skills to facilitate potential adoptions in a positive manner in support of the AWLA’s mission and Core Values
Provide a welcoming, nonjudgmental environment for all visitors to the facility
Assist the public in making appropriate adoption matches
Explain AWLA adoption policies and procedures to potential adopters
Answer questions from potential adopters regarding adoptable animals
Show available animals to potential adopters
Facilitate safe meetings between adoptable dogs and potential adopters’ dogs.
Conduct adoption and behavior consultations
Maintain a complete and accurate file regarding all actions associated with the adoption
Ensure that all required actions are completed prior to releasing the animal to their new home
Intake of animals: Coordinate the intake of stray, injured and owner-relinquished animals into our facility
Gather all necessary information regarding the intake, properly document paperwork, and enter all information into the Chameleon database.
Administrative: Ensure that paperwork and records are maintained accurately and that Chameleon information is updated
Learn and use the descriptive identification used by the AWLA, and develop a current working knowledge of commonly seen dog and cat breeds.
Develop a basic working knowledge of the AWLA's procedures, guidelines, and protocols for the safe handling of animals:
Legal and statistical reporting procedures, and veterinary protocols
Federal and Commonwealth of Virginia substance regulations, and Commonwealth of Virginia and municipal animal regulations
Understand and follow AWLA Adoption Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Accurately complete all animal intake paperwork
Retrieve general voice mail messages and respond to calls and/or forward them to the appropriate department
Accurately complete the daily tracking for lost and found including matching lost reports with any stray animals in the AWLA's care
Contact potential owners when a stray animal matches their description of their lost pet
Financial: Sell Spay/Neuter vouchers and process licenses, accurately completing all paperwork and input into database
Accept monetary and in-kind donations from the public, thank the donor and forward notices of donation to the Development department
Accurately process cash, check and credit card transactions, adhering to AWLA accounting policies
Assist clients with retail item purchases, maintain inventory and ensure displays are stocked and orderly.
Other Duties/ Functions: Provide support to the AWLA's team effort including, but not limited to:
Safely handling animals according to AWLA protocol and following Fear Free and other best practices to limit stress in shelter animals
Assist in keeping all public areas of the building organized and clean
Communicate regularly with supervisors and coworkers to ensure that they are aware of any issues pertinent to their areas of responsibility
Participate in staff meetings to share ideas and suggestions for improving animal care and the quality of the organization as a whole
Communicating regularly with supervisors to ensure that they are aware of any issues pertinent to their areas of responsibility
Keep the lobby neat and tidy
Participate and attend community outreach events in support of AWLA mission
Perform other duties as requested to ensure the internal and external well-being of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria