Adoption Counselor

Job Description

Job Description

Under direct supervision, performs the day-to-day operational duties of the HSSA Adoption Lobby/PAWSH store, including animal care, customer service, cash handling, retail merchandising, and facilities cleaning and restocking. Ensures the constant humane care and handling of all animals. Responsible for providing and maintaining excellent customer service relations between staff and the public at-large and HSSA employees and volunteers. Perform retail sales of merchandise at the main campus PAWSH or Park Place PAWSH.

Essential duties and Responsibilities:

• Represent the Humane Society of Southern Arizona in a professional, polite and enthusiastic manner.
• Provide welcoming service by greeting and assisting guests, and responding to guest inquiries and complaints to ensure excellent levels of customer service are maintained at all times.
• Provide appropriate counseling on animal care, animal behaviors, introduction of a new pet into the home, etc. to potential adopters at the time of adoption.
• Match potential adopters with a shelter animal or other HSSA programs in accordance to open adoption practices.
• Facilitate and evaluate dog to dog meet and greets and human and shelter pet meet and greets.
• Participate in dog playgroups and cat socialization.
• Process adoption paperwork, including Microchip forms, Adoption Contracts, Medical Waivers and the Adoption Checklist.
• Promote repeat business and word-of-mouth advertising through the building of excellent customer relations.
• Promote 501c3 status; competitive prices, tax-free and all proceeds go back to the shelter to help more HSSA animals.
• Maintains a comprehensive knowledge of all PAWSH merchandise.
• Offers knowledgeable advice to adopters and all guests, about what their pet needs to go home and what enrichment the pet might want, to keep them as returning customers. (More than just leashes and collars)
  • Help the guest select food, harnesses, bowls, bedding, toys, grooming tools, training and enrichment supplies
• Enforce and maintain safety and cleanliness, and all health and security rules and procedures.
• Participate in and ensure the fundamentals of animal care including all record and reporting procedures, the safe handling and transportation of animals, and the proper cleaning and maintenance of the shelter facilities.
• May load animals in transport vehicles and take from Shelter to Off-Site location.
• Maintain cooperative, reciprocal relationships with all On and Off-Site location personnel.
• Participate in Adoption Events for HSSA as assigned.
• Observe animal health problems and refer for proper care and treatment.
• Coordinate all animal care procedures with Leads to ensure that best practices are followed and maintained.
• Coordinate all customer service complaints with Lead to ensure that best practices are followed and maintained.
• Provide enrichment to animals as directed by Manager.
• Organize and maintain all materials necessary for adoption of animals, including but not limited to applications, contracts, office supplies, and educational and promotional materials.
• Responsible for the safety of the animals and the public.
• Perform customer service to the standards set forth in HSSA’s employee manual.
• May drive shelter vehicle in performance of shelter business.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions: Work is performed at an animal shelter in lobby/kennel/cat room areas. Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases, high noise levels, hazardous chemicals, and sharp objects, lift up to 50 lb. Job requires bending, stooping and reaching. Potential exposure of infectious diseases to owned animals.