Admissions Counselor

Description

STARTING PAY $18.00/HR. DEPENDING ON SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Hours to be determined, will include some evening and weekend hours. 

POSITION SUMMARY

The role of the Admissions Counselor is to support all animal intake activities from transfers, animal surrenders, and animal control partners.  It is the primary responsibility of the Admissions Counselor to ensure that all aspects of the animal intake process are handled in a smooth, friendly, safe and efficient manner, while providing exceptional customer service and compassionate counsel to members of the public when surrendering their pets. This position requires direct animal handling and the ability to perform all intake procedures including blood draws, vaccines, and other necessary intake activities.

People Oriented: People are the key to fulfilling our mission. Making internal and external community members and their needs a primary focus is expected in all situations. This position interacts and collaborates with employees and volunteers at all levels of the organization. Communication occurs through face-to-face, telephone, and electronic interactions, and will also include contact with members of the public and our animal control partners. Communication and contact must be clear, understandable, cooperative, professional and respectful in all circumstances. Employees are expected to actively support a positive team environment, directly address conflict, and appropriately express concerns.

PRIMARY ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Ensure that all animals are afforded the highest level of care, are treated with respect and compassion, and that all job functions are performed effectively and in a timely manner to achieve overall operational goals for the organization.  
2. Ensure smooth and efficient flow of the animal intake process by:
   • Processing all owner surrender surveys, assessing an animal’s adoptability and scheduling appointments.
   • Supporting the shelter-to-shelter transfer process.
   • Demonstrating a high level of communication with the Admissions Manager and other teammates.
3. Establish and demonstrate effective and professional working relationships with the public and co-workers, animal control, volunteers, and transferring partners.
4. Ensure the public has a positive experience when surrendering an animal to Wayside Waifs by delivering exceptional and knowledgeable customer service. 
5. Attend required training to enhance knowledge and learn safe animal handling skills.
6. Comply with all Wayside Waifs’ policies and best practices, including a high standard of dependability for punctuality and attendance.

PRIMARY TASKS & DUTIES

• Pull owner surrender surveys off website and respond within 24-48 hours.
• Document observed behavior and medical status of animals during intake and enter into shelter software platform.
• Provide counsel and information to the public about all shelter services, policies and procedures, as well as community resources available for their pet.  
• Impound all animals into the shelter software platform.
• Maintaining a clean work area including regular deep cleaning of the intake room and Admissions lobby.
• Assist with transfers including loading and unloading transport crates, disinfect crates and transport vehicle. 
• Additional related tasks as assigned.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/ KEY COMPETENCIES

• Exceptional customer service and safe animal management skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, multi-task and manage time wisely as required for success in the position.
• Ability to coach and counsel the public with compassion during stressful situations.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with co-workers, management and the public while demonstrating an upbeat, team-oriented and positive attitude. 
• Ability to perform clerical duties such as data entry, answering a multi-line phone system, returning phone calls, filing, making copies as needed, etc.
• Coordinate with other departments as needed.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Experience

• General computer experience required.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with people in a variety of high-stress situations.
• Experience reading animal body language is a benefit. We handle dogs, cats and small mammals which requires a basic understanding of animal behavior.
• Previous animal handling, shelter experience, and/or knowledge of shelter transport programs preferred.

Physical

• Must be able to lift 50lbs to waist height in order to move animals from kennels, lift food bags, and push and pull a force (i.e., pushing water with the squeegee).
• Repetitive bending, kneeling, stooping and similar movements required.
• Must be able to physically restrain animals weighing up to and including 100 lbs.
• Able to work with exposure to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather condition. 
• Significant amount of standing during a typical day, exposure to fumes, animal smells and airborne particles.
• The noise level is moderate to high.
• Exposure to animal waste.

Education

• High School diploma or GED

Qualifications

Salary : $18