Adoption Counselor (Part-Time)

Adoption Counselor

Reports to Director of the Adoption Center

The Richmond SPCA is a non-profit organization located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia. As a leader in the field of animal welfare, we are cultivating a community committed to saving, protecting and enriching animal lives with a mission to provide education and resources to achieve and sustain a no-kill community. Annually, we rescue, rehabilitate and find homes for about 4,000 homeless animals while also providing our region with vital safety net programs designed to keep thousands of pets in loving homes and out of shelters. Our values of collaboration, creativity, honesty, inclusion and respect guide not only what we do – but how we do it.

We maintain an open adoption policy and believe there is no such thing as a "perfect home." Through welcoming and honest conversations without judgment, our staff works to make the best matches between pets and people. We embrace progressive adoption guidelines, and we are grateful to our community for visiting us in search of giving a loving home to a pet in need. Once we unite families with new companions, we strive to serve as a lasting resource to them after adoption.

Adoption counselors play an essential role in adopting our homeless dogs and cats to loving homes. These team members are friendly, outgoing, and free of judgment. They possess the social skills to make quick connections with the families visiting our Adoption Center in search of a new pet. They clearly communicate both the behavioral and medical needs of each unique pet that is available for adoption. They are well versed in pet ownership and are able to navigate happy, emotional, and sometimes difficult conversations with adopters to ensure that each pet in our care finds a wonderful, loving home.

Essential Functions

• Introduce people and pets, facilitating pet-to-pet meetings as needed, discussing medical and behavioral records at length, answering any and all questions throughout the adoption process and offering support post-adoption as needed
• Assist potential adopters by gathering information about their expectations of pet ownership to help best match them with the pets currently available for adoption
• Maintain a non-judgmental attitude and treat every potential adopter with kindness and respect
• Navigate difficult and uncomfortable conversations about pet ownership as needed in order to educate potential adopters about a variety of pet ownership topics
• Finalize the adoption process by operating a point of sale system in our pet supply shop, handling cash and card transaction, and selling pet supplies where sales directly benefit animals in need
• Clean work areas before, during and after pet visitations and preserve the physical appearance of the adoption center
• Report any pet medical and behavioral concerns or observations to veterinary staff and/or behavior and training teams for monitoring
• Maintain open and regular communication with the Director of the Adoption Center, Assistant Managers and Lead Adoption Counselors
• Perform side duties daily
• Attend and participate in all required trainings and meetings

Qualifications, Skills and Expectations

• Alignment with the Richmond SPCA's mission to achieve and sustain a no-kill community – including promoting pet adoption and spaying/neutering – and to utilizing reward-based, positive reinforcement (R+) training methods
• Effective, professional, and empathetic communication (written and verbal) with the public, volunteers, and all Richmond SPCA employees
• Attitude that contributes to a welcoming, accessible, compassionate, and respectful atmosphere
• Comfort handling or learning to handle dogs and cats with a variety of medical and behavioral needs
• Ability to multi-task, take and follow directions, and adapt to and productively accommodate changing demands – all with excellent attention to detail
• Basic computer skills (experience using Microsoft 365 a plus)
• Punctuality and reliability are essential, as well as good time management and prioritization skills
• Work independently with little supervision at times
• Maintain confidentiality as requested
• Independent worker who also thrives as part of a team
• Bilingual (English and Spanish) preferred, but not required

Requirements

• Outstanding customer service skills
• Have reliable transportation including during inclement weather
• Be 18 years of age or older
• Availability to work on both weekend days, some holidays, and some weekdays

Physical Job Requirements

• Able to work with animals (including those who are sick or injured or who have behavior challenges) and around loud noises, cat litter, animal waste, allergens (pet dander, peanut butter), various chemicals and disinfectants
• Able to bend, kneel, stoop, use stairs, and use your arms in a repetitive manner
• Able to be on your feet for an entire 8-hour shift
• Have physical strength to perform cleaning duties effectively and efficiently

Work Environment

• Potential for animal bites and scratches and diseases that are zoonotic (can be transmitted from animals to people)
• Supportive, collaborative team environment that encourages and celebrates creativity and resourcefulness

Richmond SPCA employees are eligible to become clients of our low-cost, full-service Susan M. Markel Veterinary Hospital and have access to an Employee Assistance Program. Employees who average 15+ hours per week are eligible for voluntary (employee-paid) benefits including accident insurance, hospital indemnity and critical illness insurance. Employees who average 20+ hours a week can participate in our 401(k) retirement plan and have access to paid wellness leave.

Full-time employees are eligible for insurance benefits, including medical, dental, and vision, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, and paid personal leave.

The Richmond SPCA is a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.