Animal Services Representative (Spanish-Speaking Candidates Encouraged to Apply)

Summary: The Animal Services Representative is responsible for the front-desk customer service experience at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington. This is a full-time position with weekend, holiday and evening shifts. This position provides resources and information regarding owner surrenders, return to owners, wildlife issues, and general questions from the public. This position will also have the opportunity to cross train and work in Shelter Operations (Adoptions, Behavior, Animal Care) working hands-on with the animals.

This is a full-time, on-site position with an hourly range of $19.00-$22.00, depending on experience. The schedule includes evenings, weekends, holidays, and other non-standard hours as needed.

Responsibilities include the following however other duties may be assigned:

General Duties

• Provide high quality customer service; work to create a positive experience for all visitors in person, by phone and through email
• Provide resources off-site and on-site to community members and their pets
• Ability to safely work with all type of animals including domestic and contained wildlife animals
• Cross train in other shelter operation (Adoption, Behavior, and Animal Care) to learn and help when needed
• Enter data as requested to track programs

Animal Services Desk

• Maintain lost and found animal reports, checking daily
• Provide information to clients on animal guardianship, animal care and local ordinances
• Provide resources for community members and their pets including: low-cost clinics, pet pantry clients, rehoming options and information about our other programs
• Create receipts and process payments accurately, following departmental protocols
• Maintain a clean, organized work space (this may include filing paperwork, sorting donations and light daily cleaning

Vaccine Clinics

• Provide on and off site support for vaccine clinics and community events as needed
• Enter client information to maintain records
• Work with Veterinarians and Vet Techs for an optimally run clinic
• Assist with set up(pre clinic) and take down(post clinic)

Pet Pantry

• Stock and track Pet Pantry with food and supplies
• Bag and label food for distribution
• Participate in on and offsite distributions
• Provide feeding and care instructions for clients

Supervisory Responsibilities: None however this position will interact with, train and engage volunteers as well as participate in ongoing educational opportunities for staff, volunteers and the community

Qualifications:

Education / Licenses / Certifications:

• Minimum of High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid driver's license and clean driving record.

Experience:

• Experience in a customer/client focused professional environment

Key Skills:

• Spanish language proficiency is strongly preferred. Candidates who can effectively communicate with clients in both English and Spanish are highly encouraged to apply.
• Strong communication and decision-making abilities, with a focus on maintaining a polite and professional manner in all interactions.
• Excellent interpersonal, listening, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to stay calm, composed, and positive in stressful, sensitive, or emergency situations
• Commitment to fear-free handling and training methods for animals.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, set priorities, and meet deadlines while balancing various responsibilities.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with a creative, forward-thinking approach to challenges.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with a variety of individuals and teams.
• Energetic, hardworking, and a team player who thrives in a fast-paced, ever-evolving environment.
• Strong computer literacy, including proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and the ability to learn and use shelter databases.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion.

Requirements:

• Have a passion for the mission and a deep commitment to the goals of the organization
• Flexible Schedule: Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, non-standard hours, and overtime as needed.

Typical physical & mental demands: Requires frequent bending, reaching, stooping, kneeling, walking/standing, eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, telephone, photocopier, calculator and other equipment or machinery. Will have exposure to injured and deceased animals, disinfectant solutions, and variable indoor and outdoor temperatures. May assist in animal restraint and deal with distressed or dangerous animals, and could be subject to bites and scratches. Requires manual dexterity to keep a strong animal on leash or operating a door while holding a strong animal on leash simultaneously. May be required to lift heavy items or animals (upwards of 50 lbs) and be otherwise physically active. Requires normal range of hearing and eyesight to communicate with the public, volunteers, staff, and animals. Also requires flexibility and adaptability to work with frequent interruptions. Must be comfortable around dogs, cats, small companion animals, reptiles, amphibians and wildlife.

Vaccination requirement: Upon hire, employees will be required to receive rabies prophylaxis and tetanus vaccinations.

Benefits: We offer premium medical benefits, dental and vision insurance; separate vacation and sick time accruals, 12 annual paid holidays plus 3 annual floating holidays; and flexible working hours for qualified positions. After 2 years of employment, employees qualify for a retirement contribution of 7%. This position also qualifies for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and the League pays a salary bonus for language ability in: Arabic, Mandarin, Sign Language, Spanish or Vietnamese. Plus, free pet adoptions, pet vaccines and more!!