Adoption Counselor

The Humane Society for Southwest Washington is currently seeking an Adoption Counselor to join our team. This is a full-time, FLSA nonexempt opportunity at our Vancouver Campus Animal Shelter.

Since 1897, The Humane Society for Southwest Washington (HSSW) has been caring for the animals of Southwest Washington and the surrounding area. We are a donor-supported non-profit with public contracts. Our mission is to rescue, return, restore, rehome, and reconnect one animal at a time. We also own and operate ReTails Thrift Store - the premiere Southwest Washington thrifting experience. Proceeds from ReTails support animal care and shelter operations.

Path Forward 2025 is an exciting and ambitious strategic plan focused on five strategic pillars: lifesaving pathways for animals, keeping people and pets together, thriving workforce, mission expansion and leveraging technology. Through these efforts we will build a community low-cost veterinary clinic, behavior and education center and improve animal spaces. We will expand programs and resources for the community allowing people and pets to stay together. People bring our mission to life each day. We are committed to a diverse, healthy, and engaged team of employees and volunteers who strive for excellence, treat one another with kindness, and provide quality and compassionate care for the pets and people we serve.

Adoption Counselor

The mission of the Adoption Counselor is to provide excellent service to patrons in an adoption center that facilitates thousands of companion animal adoptions per year. The position is responsible for the success of all aspects of the adoption process, including conducting adoptions, providing adoption counseling/animal selection assistance, entering computer data, completing necessary paperwork, performing follow-up services, retail pet store sales, and working with staff, volunteers, and workforce partners. The position requires a person with excellent interpersonal skills and strong verbal, and written communication skills.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Educate clients on responsible animal guardianship and animal care
• Provide prompt in-person and telephone customer service
• Assist with donations, both monetary and in-kind, from patrons
• Generate revenue in retail sales through suggestive selling prior to completing transactions
• Actively promote and market HSSW animals and match them to appropriate families
• Conduct adoptions, provide adoption counseling/animal selection assistance, enter computer data, complete necessary paperwork, and perform follow-up services
• Keep service desk area orderly, stocked and cleaned, and perform daily cleaning of public areas.
• Assist in training of volunteers, fellow staff, and workforce partners
• Keep team lead and supervisor and related departments informed of animal behavior, health concerns
• Maintain accurate kennel and computer records
• Represent HSSW in a professional and courteous manner
• Take initiative to perform other duties as you see the need for

Qualifications

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Licenses, and Credentials

• Safely perform physical work for duration of 8-10-hour shift
• Demonstrated ability to safely handle a variety of companion animals
• Minimum two years of animal handling experience
• Minimum one year of customer service experience
• Minimum one year experience with data entry administration
• Ability to work a flexible schedule that includes some weekends
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment with diverse populations
• Demonstrated ability to utilize Microsoft suite of products
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a high degree of social and emotional intelligence.
• The ability to work in an emotional field where a positive attitude, sense of humor and understanding how to recognize and address compassion fatigue are essential.

General Expectations

• Excellent interpersonal skills and strong verbal, and written communication skills
• Follow safety guidelines to ensure a safe work environment.
• Promote communication and cooperation between HSSW departments
• Exercise good judgment when working with the public, volunteers, workforce partners and staff
• Committed to maintaining the integrity of HSSW’s mission and adoption program
• Knowledge and practical experience in reward-based training
• Adhere to organizational policies and procedures
• Behave as a positive role model for other employees
• Maintain a positive and respectful attitude
• Demonstrate flexible and efficient time management and ability to prioritize workload
• Report to work on time prepared to perform duties of position
• Meet department productivity standards

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

The Adoption Counselor must be able to communicate effectively with individuals. A typical workday will require the ability to sit, talk and hear, stoop, bend, squat, kneel, stretch, grasp, grip and at times may require the safe retrieval of adopted animals from kennels. Occasionally push, pull and/or lift 25-50 pounds to stock shelves and/or move supplies/materials. Repetitive use of hands to operate computer keyboard and telephones for extensive periods of time. Must be able to perform physical work that includes some kennel cleaning and sweeping and mopping of floors. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Work is performed in an open reception office environment, with exposure to environmental conditions that include working with and near animals. Primary workplace is at an animal shelter that operates 7 days per week, with potential exposure to fractious animals; high noise levels; zoonotic diseases; animal bites and scratches; cleaning chemicals and allergens. Potential exposure of infectious diseases to owned animals.

Compensation

The hourly pay range for this position is $ 17.30 to $17.83 per hour. The starting pay within that range is dependent upon experience.

Full Time Employee Benefits

In addition to serving in an organization with a compassionate and strategic purpose; full-time employees currently enjoy the following benefits and employee perks.

• Health, dental, and vision insurance benefits that become effective the first of the month after hire.
• Matching percentage 401 (k) retirement plan that begins the first month after hire, has a 3-year graded vestment schedule and a ROTH contribution option.
• Employee assistance program for all household member access.
• Section 125 FSA Cafeteria Plan for out-of-pocket health and/or dependent day care expenses.
• Numerous employee discounts and discounts with partner organizations.
• Access to affordable life, disability, and accidental supplemental insurance.
• As a 501c3 non-profit organization, full-time employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness with the potential to eliminate student loans within 10 years!

Paid Time Off (PTO)

This position accrues PTO at a rate of 1.6 hours for every 40 hours worked.

Additional Paid time includes:

• Floating Holidays.
• Bereavement leave.
• Pet bereavement leave.
• Jury duty pay.
• The ability to build a long-term sick-leave bank.

Culture

Vision: A community where everyone loves and cares for animals.

Mission: Rescue. Return. Restore. Rehome. Reconnect. One animal at a time

Values: Compassion. Collaboration. Excellence. Service. Integrity.

The ultimate team player:

• Displays interest, enthusiasm, and an affinity for working with people.
• Demonstrates an attitude in being of-service, using good judgment, maintaining a positive outlook, and ideally, a sense of humor.
• Works well in teams and demonstrates an attitude and commitment to collaboration with a sincere interest in helping others succeed.
• Is committed to achieving excellence individually and as a part of the team.
• Exhibits adaptability, curiosity, flexibility to change, open to new ideas, and encourages others to recognize changes in work tasks, situations, and environment as an opportunity for transformation.
• Is committed to personal and professional development through life-long learning.

How to Apply

Does HSSW sound like the right place for you? Does this job sound like a great fit? Do you feel a dedication to HSSW’s mission, vision, and values? Then, if you meet the qualifications for this position, click the Apply button to begin your journey today. HSSW participates in E-Verify

For more information visit https://HSSW.org/careers/.

Application Deadline: Open until filled.