Animal Care and Adoptions Specialist - New York, NY

Best Friends•New York, NY

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Lifesaving & Care Specialists support the daily operations and growth of lifesaving programs such as adoptions, while providing basic animal care at program locations. They may receive intensive assignments in a particular program based on organizational needs. The role contributes directly to Best Friends Animal Society’s no-kill mission and organizational success. The Specialist promotes and facilitates pet adoptions, provides customer service and new-pet-parent counseling, and offers post-adoption support. They help adopters, fosters, and transfer partners find suitable animal matches, and support volunteers with lifesaving care and outcome-program protocols. The role works collaboratively with colleagues across operations, follows organizational policies and task lists, maintains accurate records and communications, and promotes a safe workplace. The position is based at 307 W Broadway, New York, NY 11206. Hiring range is $20 to $22 per hour, depending on experience. Daily hours and days may vary with department scheduling needs; weekends, nights, and holidays are included. The work involves indoor and outdoor settings in varied weather, animal exposure, and strenuous physical activity. Travel, including overnight stays, may be required.

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 or behavior 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 player, remain personable and professional, get along with people from different backgrounds, and handle sensitive and confidential situations.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and use well-developed organizational skills to manage competing tasks and demands.
Resourcefulness, initiative, problem-solving skills, flexibility, and persistence in achieving goals.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products; familiarity with shelter or animal-management software, or willingness to learn.
Ability to routinely lift 40 pounds and perform daily strenuous activity.
Ability to perform repetitive tasks for extended periods, including typing, sitting, walking, and arm and hand motions.
Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varied weather, including extreme heat and cold, and exposure to animals of different sizes, temperaments, and medical statuses.
Valid driver’s license meeting Best Friends Animal Society’s driver qualification standards, and ability to travel, including overnight stays, when needed.
Availability for variable daily hours and days, including weekends, nights, and holidays.
For U.S. applicants, valid work authorization that does not now or in the future require visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Fear Free certification.
Bilingual or multilingual skills.

Responsibilities

Demonstrate inclusion, respect, kindness, 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.
Support volunteers with lifesaving care and outcome-program protocols, including cleaning, animal behavior and care, animal handling, transportation, data entry, and communications.
Collaborate with team members across operations to achieve lifesaving goals.
Follow policies, procedures, and task lists for daily lifesaving assignments, including accurate and timely communications, task completion, data entry, and recordkeeping.
Maintain a safe workplace, follow organizational safety practices, and communicate unsafe practices or conditions to leadership.
Perform daily animal care and physical tasks, including lifting, carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, cleaning, and bending.