Adoption Ambassador

Adoption Ambassador

LifeLine Animal Project is committed to the care and welfare of pets and the people who love them. The values we exhibit as an organization show the strength of our staff, our leadership and our community. We expect all employees to exhibit LifeLine's core values as we complete daily tasks, provide services to clients and care for our animals.

The Adoption Ambassador is responsible for counseling the public about potential pets for adoption, conducting meet and greets with clients and animals, and informing clients on the various adoptions programs with the goal of long term adoption matches. The Adoption Ambassador is also responsible for getting to know the animals in our care, helping with adoption events, and having a basic understanding of veterinary knowledge about common shelter issues.

Essential Job Functions:

• Guide adopters through the application process, use matchmaking criteria to connect potential adopters to their future pets to best ensure positive outcomes.
• Answer questions from the public about pets for adoption, including the behavior of specific breeds, dog and cat behavior, future medical care, and other pertinent information.
• Educate adopters and the public about responsible pet ownership, including housetraining, veterinary care, and preventive health.
• Conduct testing to assess dog behavior and interactions between dogs.
• Conduct meet and greets with dogs, cats and other animals.
• Assist during high-traffic times, staff shortages, or special events to ensure smooth front desk and adoption operations.

General Responsibilities:

• Work with the management to implement strategies to boost adoption numbers and participate in community outreach events.
• Support saving the lives of animals by maintaining a general understanding of all shelter operations, including animal care, adoption policies, volunteer opportunities, foster programs and any other operational processes.
• Stay informed about current animals in the shelter, including their needs, personalities, and status.
• Collaborate with other shelter staff to address any issues or concerns that arise.
• Welcome visitors with a friendly and professional demeanor.
• Operate with a judgement-free mindset and consider our Adopters Welcome policy when greeting and working with visitors.
• Support and engage the volunteers who aid the placement teams.
• Participate in LifeLine's 40-hour annual training requirement.
• Maintain a clean and tidy work and visitor area.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Compassion for animals and the people who love and care for them.
• Passion for animal welfare and a strong understanding of animal care and adoption processes.
• Ability to serve the public and fellow employees with honesty and integrity.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to interact effectively with diverse groups.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively.
• Proficiency in basic computer applications and experience with database systems is a plus.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and to bend and reach to perform assigned work activities.
• Ability to work well in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Comfortable working with dogs and cats of all sizes, breeds, and temperaments.
• Ability to follow safety protocols and handle challenging situations with calmness and professionalism.
• Ability to work collaboratively with multiple departments to ensure efficient shelter operations.
• Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and remain composed under pressure.
• Ability to handle seeing and dealing with animals that have been abused, neglected or treated cruelly.
• Must be able to work weekends, holidays, and varying shifts based on shelter needs.
• Must have a means of travel that ensures prompt arrival for work shifts.
• Must pass a background check.

Education and/or Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent; college degree or relevant coursework preferred.
• 18 years or older.
• One or more years' experience in animal related field or animal sheltering preferred.
• Previous experience in customer service, hospitality, or a similar role is highly desirable.
• Fear Free Sheltering preferred.

Work Environment:

• While performing the duties of this job, employee may be exposed to unpleasant kennel smells. May have to handle dogs and cats that are stray, injured, diseased or vicious.