Admissions and Placement Specialist

Join our Adoption Center team as an Admissions and Placement Specialist to make a direct and meaningful impact on the vulnerable animals and owners who need us most. Are you a positive, engaging people person? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment with lots of changing needs and priorities? If so – and you love animals – you should consider the role of Admissions and Placement Specialist at the ASPCA Adoption Center & Kitten Nursery. 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. The role of Admissions and Placement Specialist is crucial in making a positive impression on visitors, volunteers, and potential adopters. Specialists help animals get ready for new homes, ensure their welfare, and guide adopters to their ideal animal match. They also assist and support pet owners who seek to surrender their animals, exploring creative solutions that may find alternatives to surrendering. What You’ll Do Admit and support visitors, volunteers, and adopters, ensuring all interactions are prompt, courteous, and provide an exceptional customer service experience. Specialists may handle up to 3,000 at‑risk pets per year and work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to help all animals live good lives. The Center provides shelter and adoption for five groups of animals: Animal victims of cruelty and neglect brought to us by the NYPD Animals brought to us through our Community Engagement team Underage kittens and other medically compromised stray animals Animals surrendered by their owners and in need of adoption into new homes Animals transferred in from shelter/rescue partners Admissions and Placement Specialists report to the Manager of Admissions and Placement and are located at the 92nd St. location in NYC. Where and When You’ll Work This role is located at our 92nd Street location. The schedule is 4/10 hour days and includes a weekend day. The position requires a high level of flexibility, with nights, weekends, and holidays as needed. Compensation The target hiring range for this role is $24.00 – $25.44 per hour. Actual pay may vary based on experience, education, and other factors. Benefits Affordable health coverage, including medical, employer‑paid dental, and optional vision coverage. Flexible time off, including vacation, paid personal, sick, bereavement, parental leave, and 10 company paid holidays. Competitive financial incentives and retirement savings, including a 401(k) plan with employer contributions up to 4% match plus an additional 4% contribution. Professional development opportunities, including classes, on‑the‑job training, coaching, mentorship, internal mobility, and support in the field. Responsibilities Adoption Matchmaking – 70% Provide a safe and compassionate environment for animals, staff, and clients using low‑stress handling techniques. Assist potential adopters and guide them toward animals that may be the best match. Develop adopter expectations through empathy‑based conversation and non‑verbal cues. Approve appropriate matches and decline inappropriate adoptions, offering alternatives when possible. Counsel adopters on the animal’s medical and behavioral care and coach on post‑adoption techniques. Coach potential adopters in socialization and training of animals they are interested in. Be familiar with all available dogs and cats, including attributes and challenges, and present them enthusiastically. Check health and welfare status daily using shelter management software, and update volunteers with current information. Assist with onboarding, training, and supervision of volunteers on adopter surveys, adoption process, and Fear Free philosophy. Conduct adoptions onsite or via electronic forms, managing paperwork and transactions. Create and maintain animal records, documenting all matchmaking conversations. Cross‑reference adopters in the animal abuser registry as required by regulations. Shadow or deploy with other ASPCA departments once per year. Admissions and Client Support – 20% Assist members of the public who are surrendering or rehoming pets, providing intake support and exploring alternatives. Teach the public about animal care, welfare, and Fear Free philosophy. Actively seek opportunities to engage the public in animal welfare and ASPCA work. Animal Care and Welfare – 10% Ensure the welfare of animals by attending to physical and emotional health per ASPCA protocols. Read and follow kennel signage regarding treatment and care. Transport animals using low‑stress handling techniques in accordance with policies. Provide socialization, enrichment, and reinforce training methods from the Behavior team. Qualifications Exceptional communicator and team player who thrives in a fast‑paced, shelter environment. Passion for providing exceptional customer service. Effective communication in diverse cultures and backgrounds, in both spoken and written English. Comfortable working with behaviorally and medically compromised animals, including environments where euthanasia may occur. Ability to work independently and in a team under distracting, multi‑project conditions. Embraces differences, listens, and seeks to understand others’ viewpoints. Builds and sustains positive relationships across departments, volunteers, and the public. Positive, engaging demeanor; enjoys working with people. Self‑motivated with a solution‑oriented attitude. Experience negotiating and managing conflict. Proficiency with computers; experience with PetPoint or similar database a plus. Strong interest in animal welfare and advocacy. Physical capability to walk, bend, stand, reach, lift up to 30 lbs, and walk stairs. Comfortable working with dogs and cats. Language English – required Spanish – preferred; other languages desirable Education and Work Experience High school degree required. Minimum of two years of customer or client service experience. Minimum of five years of overall professional work experience. Experience training, coaching, or supervising preferred. Animal handling experience strongly preferred. Previous experience in behavioral animal care or enrichment, ideally in a shelter or veterinary setting with compromised animals. Fear Free Shelter certification required within 60 days of hire. #J-18808-Ljbffr Aspcapro