Adoption Counselor

 The Humane Society for Southwest Washington is currently seeking an Adoption Counselor to join our team. This is a part-time (20 to 25 hours per week), FLSA nonexempt opportunity. 

Since 1897, the Humane Society for Southwest Washington (HSSW) has been caring for the animals of Southwest Washington. Today, we are the largest animal welfare agency in Southwest Washington with campuses in Vancouver and Longview, where we help thousands of adoptable pets find shelter, TLC, and loving homes. And through programs like free pet food, emergency shelter, financial assistance, and medical care, we provide critical support that helps pets in need stay home with the families they love. Thanks to our hardworking staff and volunteers, we serve more than 10,000 pets each year. At our Community Veterinary Clinic (CVC), we provide high-quality, subsidized care to the pets of income-qualified families in our community. The CVC expands access to preventative care and spay/neuter, provides care for treatable conditions, and offers essential support to keep pets happy and healthy. And at ReTails Thrift Store, our team of staff and volunteers help hundreds of thousands of items find a second life, providing vital funding for our work with animals. 

Thanks to our hardworking staff and volunteers, we served more than 10,000 pets in our community - helping them find new homes or providing the support they need to stay with the family who loves them. 

Our mission is to rescue, return, restore, rehome, and reconnect one animal at a time. That work is possible thanks to the dedicated teams of staff and volunteers who are here for the animals every day. We are committed to a diverse, healthy, and engaged team of employees and volunteers who strive for excellence, treat one another with kindness, and provide quality and compassionate care for the pets and people we serve. 

Adoption Counselor

The mission of the Adoption Counselor is to provide excellent service to patrons in an adoption center that facilitates thousands of companion animal adoptions per year. The position is responsible for the success of all aspects of the adoption process, including conducting adoptions, providing adoption counseling/animal selection assistance, entering computer data, completing necessary paperwork, performing follow-up services, retail pet store sales, and working with staff, volunteers, and workforce partners. The position requires a person with excellent interpersonal skills and strong verbal, and written communication skills. Adoption Counselor positions are FLSA non-exempt and may be either full time (between 30 & 40 hours per week) or part time (less than 30 hours per week), reporting to the Customer Care Manager

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Educate clients on responsible animal guardianship and animal care
• Provide prompt in-person and telephone customer service
• Assist with donations, both monetary and in-kind, from patrons
• Generate revenue in retail sales through suggestive selling prior to completing transactions
• Actively promote and market HSSW animals and match them to appropriate families
• Conduct adoptions, provide adoption counseling/animal selection assistance, enter computer data, complete necessary paperwork, and perform follow-up services
• Keep service desk area orderly, stocked and cleaned, and perform daily cleaning of public areas.
•  Assist in training of volunteers, fellow staff, and workforce partners
• Keep team lead and supervisor and related departments informed of animal behavior, health concerns
• Maintain accurate kennel and computer records
• Represent HSSW in a professional and courteous manner
• Take initiative to perform other duties as you see the need for 

Qualifications

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Licenses, and Credentials

• Safely perform physical work for duration of 8-10-hour shift
• Demonstrated ability to safely handle a variety of companion animals 
• Minimum two years of animal handling experience 
• Minimum one year of customer service experience
• Minimum one year experience with data entry administration
• Ability to work a flexible schedule that includes some weekends
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment with diverse populations
• Demonstrated ability to utilize Microsoft suite of products
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a high degree of social and emotional intelligence.
• The ability to work in an emotional field where a positive attitude, sense of humor and understanding how to recognize and address compassion fatigue are essential.

General Expectations

• Excellent interpersonal skills and strong verbal, and written communication skills
• Follow safety guidelines to ensure a safe work environment. 
• Promote communication and cooperation between HSSW departments
• Exercise good judgment when working with the public, volunteers, workforce partners and staff
• Committed to maintaining the integrity of HSSW’s mission and adoption program
• Knowledge and practical experience in reward-based training
• Adhere to organizational policies and procedures
• Behave as a positive role model for other employees
• Maintain a positive and respectful attitude
• Demonstrate flexible and efficient time management and ability to prioritize workload
• Report to work on time prepared to perform duties of position
• Meet department productivity standards

Compensation 

The hourly pay range for this position is $17.82 to $18.36 per hour with starting pay dependent upon experience. 

Employee Benefits and Perks
In addition to serving in an organization with a compassionate and strategic purpose, eligible employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package and a variety of employee perks. 

Benefits include: 

• Health insurance effective the first of the month following hire (full-time employees). 
• Dental and vision insurance effective the first of the month following hire. 
• Matching percentage 401(k) retirement plan beginning the first month after hire, with a 3-year graded vesting schedule and ROTH contribution option. 
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) available to all employees and household members. 
• Section 125 FSA Cafeteria Plan for out-of-pocket health and/or dependent day care expenses. 
• Access to affordable life, disability, and accidental supplemental insurance. 
• Numerous employee discounts and discounts with partner organizations. 
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualified employer: To learn more about this Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, go to https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation. 

Paid Time Off (PTO)  

This position accrues PTO at a rate of 1.6 hours for every 40 hours worked.  

Additional Paid time includes: 

• Floating Holidays (full-time employees). 
• Bereavement leave 
• Pet bereavement leave 

Culture 

Vision: A community where everyone loves and cares for animals. 

Mission: Rescue. Return. Restore. Rehome. Reconnect. One animal at a time 

Values: Compassion. Collaboration. Excellence. Service. Integrity. 

The ultimate team player: 

• Displays interest, enthusiasm, and an affinity for working with people. 
• Demonstrates an attitude in being of-service, using good judgment, maintaining a positive outlook, and ideally, a sense of humor. 
• Works well in teams and demonstrates an attitude and commitment to collaboration with a sincere interest in helping others succeed. 
• Is committed to achieving excellence individually and as a part of the team. 
• Exhibits adaptability, curiosity, flexibility to change, open to new ideas, and encourages others to recognize changes in work tasks, situations, and environment as an opportunity for transformation. 
• Is committed to personal and professional development through life-long learning. 

How to Apply 

Does HSSW sound like the right place for you?  

Does this job sound like a great fit & do you meet the qualifications for this position? 

If so, then click the Apply button to begin your journey to join our team today. HSSW participates in E-Verify.

For more information visit https://HSSW.org/careers/.

Application Deadline: Open until filled. 

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

The Adoption Counselor must be able to communicate effectively with individuals. A typical workday will require the ability to sit, talk and hear, stoop, bend, squat, kneel, stretch, grasp, grip and at times may require the safe retrieval of adopted animals from kennels. Occasionally push, pull and/or lift 25-50 pounds to stock shelves and/or move supplies/materials. Repetitive use of hands to operate computer keyboard and telephones for extensive periods of time. Must be able to perform physical work that includes some kennel cleaning and sweeping and mopping of floors. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Work is performed in an open reception office environment, with exposure to environmental conditions that include working with and near animals. Primary workplace is at an animal shelter that operates 7 days per week, with potential exposure to fractious animals; high noise levels; zoonotic diseases; animal bites and scratches; cleaning chemicals and allergens. Potential exposure of infectious diseases to owned animals.

This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship. HSSW participates in E-Verify.