Animal Care and Adoptions Specialist - New York, NY

Best Friends Animal Society•New York, NY

8d•$20 - $22•Onsite

About The Position

Lifesaving & Care Specialists are responsible for the daily functions and growth of lifesaving programs such as adoptions, while providing basic animal care for animals at program locations. They act with urgency to accomplish important tasks and contribute directly to Best Friends Animal Society’s no-kill mission and organizational success. Specialists may receive intensive assignments in a particular program based on organizational needs. The role promotes and facilitates pet adoptions, provides customer service and support to adopters, fosters, transfer partners, volunteers, and visitors, and helps match people with appropriate animals. Specialists support volunteers on lifesaving care and outcome program protocols, work collaboratively across operations, maintain accurate communications and records, and model safe workplace practices. The position is based at 307 W Broadway, New York, NY 11206. The anticipated hiring range is $20 to $22 per hour, depending on experience.

Requirements

Previous experience working with and/or volunteering with cats and dogs.
Ability to work with, leash, kennel, walk, and handle cats and dogs, including animals with health and/or behavior conditions or concerns.
Basic ability to identify and discuss medical and behavioral characteristics of dogs and cats.
Customer-centric, non-judgmental approach to engaging with adopters, partners, visitors, volunteers, and colleagues; familiarity and comfort with a conversational adoption process.
Strong interpersonal skills; ability to work as a team member, interact professionally with people from different backgrounds, and handle sensitive and confidential situations.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and organize multiple competing tasks and demands.
Resourcefulness, initiative, problem-solving ability, flexibility, and persistence in achieving goals.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
Valid driver’s license and ability to meet Best Friends Animal Society’s driver qualification standards.
Ability to routinely lift 40 pounds and perform strenuous activities including lifting, carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, cleaning, and bending.
Ability to perform repetitive tasks for extended periods, including typing, sitting, walking, and arm and hand motion.
Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varied weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold, and to be exposed to dogs, cats, and other animals of varied sizes, temperaments, and medical status.

Nice To Haves

Fear Free certification.
Bilingual or multilingual skills.
Familiarity with shelter software or animal management software, or a desire to learn.

Responsibilities

Demonstrate kindness, inclusion, respect, authenticity, and compassion in interactions with colleagues, visitors, volunteers, and animals.
Promote and facilitate pet adoptions, provide customer service and new pet-parent counseling, and provide post-adoption support.
Assist adopters, fosters, and transfer partners by gathering information and matching them with appropriate animals.
Develop general knowledge of animals in Best Friends’ care and, when necessary, animals in partner shelters’ care to support appropriate matches.
Work directly with and support volunteers on lifesaving care and outcome program protocols, including cleaning, animal behavior and care, handling, transportation, data entry, and communications.
Collaborate with team members across operations to achieve lifesaving goals and follow policies, procedures, and task lists for daily assignments.
Complete work, communications, data entry, and recordkeeping accurately and on time.
Maintain and model safe work practices, follow organizational safety rules, and communicate unsafe practices or conditions to leadership.
Handle, leash, kennel, and walk cats and dogs, including animals with health or behavior conditions or concerns.
Travel, including overnight stays, when needed.
Work variable days and hours, including weekends, nights, and holidays.