Adoption Service Associate, Part Time

Description

Job Summary

The Adoption Services Associate serves as the “front face” of PAWS Chicago, ensuring an exceptional level of customer service is delivered to all customers, volunteers and staff interacting with the Lincoln Park Adoption Center. As a member of the Adoption Services Team, the Associate is responsible for welcoming and engaging guests, volunteers and adopters while executing the tasks critical to the day-to-day adoption program operations at the Lincoln Park Adoption Center. This position works closely with volunteers and other staff members and is passionate about PAWS Chicago’s purpose and mission.

Duties and Responsibilities

Job responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Guest Experience

• Provide exceptional customer service to all adopters, volunteers and visitors at the Lincoln Park Adoption Center.
• Maintain a professional and customer-focused attitude in all circumstances; set a positive tone among staff, interns and volunteers.
• Respond to email and phone inquiries in a timely manner; assist guests with questions.

Adoption Matchmaking

• Review adoption applications and interact with adopters; provide guidance to clients in selecting the right animals for their homes.
• Review animals’ medical files and discuss behavioral traits, health history, and lifestyle needs of specific animals with potential adopters.
• Be comfortable discussing complex animal behaviors and backgrounds in a vernacular that can be easily understood.
• Understand and communicate tenets of pet ownership, animal care, PAWS Chicago’s adoption policies and training suggestions with potential adopters.

Adoption Program Operations

• Perform opening and closing duties included but not limited to: stocking supplies, reconciling reports, processing merchandise and adoption transactions.
• Utilize web-based tools including Shelterluv, Salesforce and Volgistics to process adoptions, maintain the adoptions pages of the website and view the volunteer schedule.
• Support a team of interns and volunteers in assisting with adoption program operations. Guide, coach and empower interns and volunteers to execute program responsibilities.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Requirements

• Share a passion for animals and communicating PAWS Chicago’s no-kill model to the general public 
• Excellent skills in customer service and discernment
• Ability to multitask in a fast paced environment
• Availability to work holidays, weekends, and evenings
• Ability to work with both dogs and cats
• Excellent organizational skills with a keen attention to detail
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office including Excel, Word, and Outlook
• Proficient in web-based CRM tools
• Strong communication skills (both written and verbal)
• Superior teamwork skills

PAWS Chicago Values-in-Action

• Respect:  for each and every life.
• Community:  of people and organizations committed to helping homeless pets.
• Innovation:  to constantly improve best practices and seek out new ideas and strategies to save more lives.  To be a Learning Center that evolves and grows.
• Pro-activity:  to solve difficult problems and to be prepared to offer emergency and crisis support.
• Transparency:  that informs the public about the fate of homeless animals.
• Education:  that raises awareness about the realities that homeless animals face in the community and across the nations, providing a forum for people to get involved in effecting change.  Promotes and support reasonable pet ownership.
• Sustainability:  through financial management practices that maximize the impact and reach of our resources and endure that PAWS Chicago will always be a resource for homeless animals.
• Compassion:  towards all people and animals.