Admissions Specialist

Role Overview Admissions and Placement Specialist – make a direct and meaningful impact on vulnerable animals and owners by ensuring animals receive quality care and finds perfect adopters. Who We Are The Adoption Center & Kitten Nursery is dedicated to helping animals by engaging community members directly in the work of caring for animals. It shelters and adopts animals from five groups: victims of cruelty and neglect, animals brought by NYPD, underage kittens and other medically compromised stray animals, animals surrendered by owners, and animals transferred from shelter/rescue partners. Location & Schedule • Location: 92nd Street, NYC • Schedule: 4/10 hour days including one weekend day; requires flexibility to work nights, weekends, and holidays as needed. Compensation Target hiring range: $24.00 - $25.44 per hour. Salary may increase based on performance over time. Range indicated for new hire offers only; staff compensation may exceed the maximum hiring range for highly qualified candidates. Benefits Affordable health coverage including medical, employer-paid dental, and optional vision coverage. Flexible time off: vacation, paid personal, sick, bereavement, parental leave, 10 company paid holidays. Competitive financial incentives and retirement savings: 401(k) plan with dollar‑for‑dollar match up to 4% and additional 4% contribution. Robust professional development: classes, on‑the‑job training, coaching, mentorship, internal mobility, field support. Responsibilities Adoption Matchmaking (70%) Provide safe and compassionate environment for animals, staff, and clients using low‑stress handling. Assist potential adopters and guide them toward best match. Develop adopter expectations through empathetic conversation. Approve appropriate matches and decline mismatched adoptions; help find alternatives. Counsel adopters on medical and behavioral care, post‑adoption techniques. Guide adopters in animal socialization and training. Maintain knowledge of all available dogs and cats and their attributes/challenges. Present animals enthusiastically and objectively. Check animal health and welfare status daily using shelter management software and update volunteers. Assist with onboarding training, coaching and supervision of volunteers on adoption process and Fear Free philosophy. Write compelling animal bios for in‑shelter and website with marketing team. Conduct adoptions onsite using audio/video technology and electronic forms from start to finish. Create and maintain animal records, documenting all matchmaking conversations. Cross‑reference adopters in animal abuser registry per NYC and NY state regulations. Shadow or deploy with Community Engagement, Community Medicine, Relocation, or National Response Team once per year. Admissions and Client Support (20%) Assist surrendering or rehoming pet owners, provide intake support and alternative options. Collect necessary pet information for rehoming. Connect owners with rescue groups and other resources. Teach public about animal care, welfare, and Fear Free philosophy. Actively engage public in animal welfare and ASPCA’s work. Animal Care and Welfare (10%) Ensure animal welfare following ASPCA protocols. Read and follow kennel signage for animal treatment. Transport animals using low‑stress handling techniques. Provide animal socialization, enrichment, and train reinforcement. Qualifications Exceptional communicator and team player in fast‑paced shelter environment. Passion for customer service experiences. Effective communication with diverse cultures in spoken and written English. Comfortable working with behaviorally or medically compromised animals, including euthanasia setting. Ability to work independently and in team amid distractions, multiple projects, shifting priorities, and deadline pressures. Values diversity, listens to others, seeks to understand viewpoints. Builds and sustains positive relationships with departmental teams, volunteers, and public. Positive and engaging demeanor; enjoys people interaction. Self‑motivated, solution‑oriented attitude. Conflict negotiation and management. Proficient using computers; experience with PetPoint or similar database a plus. Strong interest in animal welfare and advocacy. Physical ability to walk, bend, stand, reach continuously during 8‑hour day; lift up to 30lbs; walk dogs up/down stairs. Comfortable working with and around dogs and cats. Fear Free Shelter certification required within 60days of hire. Education: High school degree or equivalent; minimum of 2years customer/client service and 5years overall professional experience. Experience: animal handling, training, coaching, supervision; knowledge of cat/dog care in shelters, veterinary or related settings preferred. Language: English required; Spanish preferred; other languages desirable. #J-18808-Ljbffr