Job Type

Part-time
Description
Reports to Manager of Admissions
Monday - Friday; Weekends as needed
The Richmond SPCA is one of our region's most beloved non-profit organizations. As a national no-kill leader in animal welfare, the Richmond SPCA is building a more compassionate community through the delivery of crucial programs of pet adoption, retention, training, advocacy, humane education, and more. Annually, we rescue, rehabilitate and adopt out nearly 4,000 homeless animals while also providing our community with vital safety net programs designed to keep pets in loving homes and out of shelters.
Admission counselors play an essential role in the intake of dogs and cats into the care of the Richmond SPCA. Admission counselors also provide pet-retention counseling and services to the community.
Essential Functions

• Facilitate the intake process for owner surrenders and transfers
• Maintain open and regular communication with the Manager of Admissions, Assistant Manager of Admissions and Senior Director of Shelter Operations
• Drive company vehicles to complete transfer of dogs and cats from transfer partners throughout the state of Virginia and neighboring states
• Greet and assist all visitors in a professional, warm and positive manner
• Answer phones and e-mail in a timely manner with helpful and clear information
• Assist customers inquiring about pet surrender with empathy and compassion, not judgement, and partner with them to find the best solution for their unique situation
• Collect detailed behavioral and background information from clients surrendering animals
• Administer vaccines, blood pulls and de-wormer on dogs and cats of various size, temperament and medical history
• Ensure that paperwork and records are entered thoroughly and accurately into the PetPoint data base and each individual pet's file
• Provide pet-retention counseling for members of the public both by phone, email and in person
• Report any medical concerns or observations to the veterinary staff for monitoring
• Report any behavioral concerns or observations to the shelter trainers for monitoring
• Work with our awesome volunteers and respond to their questions in a professional manner
• Notify appropriate personnel when admission supplies are running low
• General cleaning, restocking, and upkeep of workspace as well as sweeping, dusting, mopping, taking out the trash, and restocking files and other supplies
• Assist other colleagues in the department as needed
• Complete special cleaning projects and side duties as needed
• Other job-related duties as assigned
• Attend and participate in all required trainings and meetings

Requirements

• Able to react to change productively
• Daytime availability, weekend availability preferred but not required
• Able to work in a high volume, fast-paced, high-stress environment
• Have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation including during inclement weather conditions
• Be 18 years of age or older

Qualifications, Skills and Expectations

• Excellent attention to detail
• Previous customer service experience and ability to satisfactorily resolve customer service issues
• Uncompromising commitment to the wellbeing of every pet in our care
• Professional phone presence and comfort speaking with the public both in person and on the phone
• Ability to multi-task, take and follow directions, adapt to and accommodate changing demands
• Strong computer skills (Word, Excel, MS Outlook)
• Ability to learn new software quickly and completely
• Handling dogs and cats: both general handling (petting, leash-walking, some lifting and carrying) and restraint (drawing blood, giving vaccines, and placing animals in cages/carriers) are necessary on a daily basis
• Must demonstrate ability to work with needles or willingness to learn (drawing blood, administering vaccines, etc.)
• Ability to maintain existing organizational systems
• Ability to travel several hours for transfers (both driving or as a passenger)
• Punctual with a sense of urgency
• Weekend availability preferred
• Strong work ethic
• Resourceful, positive, get-it-done attitude
• Team-oriented mindset
• Prior experience working in a shelter, rescue or veterinary environment preferred
• Comfort handling and learning to handle dogs and cats
• Good time management and prioritization skills
• Must be able to work independently at times
• Ability to multitask

Physical Job Requirements

• Able to routinely lift 40-50 lbs.
• Able to work around animals (including those who are sick or injured or who have behavior challenges), loud noises, cat litter, animal waste, and various chemicals
• Able to bend and use your arms in a repetitive manner
• Able to kneel, stoop, and use stairs
• Able to be on your feet for an entire 8-hour shift
• Willing to work in all weather conditions
• Have physical strength to perform medical restraint, animal handling and cleaning duties effectively and efficiently

Work Environment

• Rapid pace with exposure to potential hazards including animal waste and disinfectants
• High levels of noise
• Potential for animal bites and scratches and diseases that are zoonotic (can be transmitted from animals to people)

All employees are eligible to become clients of the low-cost, full-service Susan M. Markel Veterinary Hospital of the Richmond SPCA. Employees who average 20 hours a week can participate in our 401(k) retirement plan and have access to paid wellness leave. The Richmond SPCA is a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Full-time employees are eligible for insurance benefits, including medical, dental, and vision, life insurance, short-term disability, and paid personal leave.
Salary Description

$16 per hour, 24 hours a week