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Alexandriaanimals

Adoption Associate

Alexandriaanimals, Alexandria, Virginia, us, 22350

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Description

Department: Community Programs FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Organizational Relationships This position is supervised by: Adoptions Manager

Job Summary Responsible for providing assistance to visitors and clients with AWLA-related business including, but not limited to adoption counseling, completing retail transactions and purchases by customers; answering phones; issuing licenses; receiving surrendered animals. Current schedule is Sunday thru Thursday 9am - 5:30pm.

Requirements Essential Functions of the Job Include Facilitating Adoptions

Use customer service skills to facilitate potential adoptions in a positive manner in support of the AWLA's mission and Core Values

Provide a welcoming, nonjudgmental environment for all visitors to the facility

Assist the public in making appropriate adoption matches

Explain AWLA adoption policies and procedures to potential adopters

Answer questions from potential adopters regarding adoptable animals

Show available animals to potential adopters

Facilitate safe meetings between adoptable dogs and potential adopters’ dogs.

Conduct adoption and behavior consultations

Maintain a complete and accurate file regarding all actions associated with the adoption

Ensure that all required actions are completed prior to releasing the animal to their new home

Intake of animals

Coordinate the intake of stray, injured and owner-relinquished animals into our facility

Gather all necessary information regarding the intake, properly document paperwork, and enter all information into the Chameleon database.

Administrative

Ensure that paperwork and records are maintained accurately and that Chameleon information is updated

Learn and use the descriptive identification used by the AWLA, and develop a current working knowledge of commonly seen dog and cat breeds.

Develop a basic working knowledge of the AWLA's procedures, guidelines, and protocols for the safe handling of animals:

Legal and statistical reporting procedures, and veterinary protocols

Federal and Commonwealth of Virginia substance regulations, and Commonwealth of Virginia and municipal animal regulations

Understand and follow AWLA Adoption Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Accurately complete all animal intake paperwork

Retrieve general voice mail messages and respond to calls and/or forward them to the appropriate department

Accurately complete the daily tracking for lost and found including matching lost reports with any stray animals in the AWLA's care

Contact potential owners when a stray animal matches their description of their lost pet

Financial

Sell Spay/Neuter vouchers and process licenses, accurately completing all paperwork and input into database

Accept monetary and in-kind donations from the public, thank the donor and forward notices of donation to the Development department

Accurately process cash, check and credit card transactions, adhering to AWLA accounting policies

Assist clients with retail item purchases, maintain inventory and ensure displays are stocked and orderly.

Other Duties/ Functions

Safely handling animals according to AWLA protocol and following Fear Free and other best practices to limit stress in shelter animals

Assist in keeping all public areas of the building organized and clean

Communicate regularly with supervisors and coworkers to ensure that they are aware of any issues pertinent to their areas of responsibility

Participate in staff meetings to share ideas and suggestions for improving animal care and the quality of the organization as a whole

Communicating regularly with supervisors to ensure that they are aware of any issues pertinent to their areas of responsibility

Keep the lobby neat and tidy

Participate and attend community outreach events in support of AWLA mission

Perform other duties as requested to ensure the internal and external well-being of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria

Position Specifications Required

Spanish fluency required

High school diploma or equivalent

Current driver’s license

Proven ability to handle multiple tasks in a busy workplace environment

Ability to accurately perform basic mathematical calculation

Understanding of humane care and treatment of animals

Experience in customer service including handling difficult situations and managing conflict

Strong interpersonal communication skills (verbal and writing) and proven ability to develop effective working relationships based on trust, positive attitude and follow through

Strong data entry skills and the ability to maintain accurate records in a computer database system

Preferred

Experience working or volunteering within an animal shelter (open admission preferred) or busy veterinary emergency clinic

Experience working or volunteering with a animal welfare organization

Training and experience in safe handling of dogs and cats

Working Conditions

Indoors in a high noise, air-conditioned/heated building, outdoors at AWLA facility, or on-location for various activities

Equipment use includes use of PC, laser printer, copy machine, fax machine, telephone, and A WLA vehicles

Work hours: 9am - 5:30pm Sunday through Thursday

Later evenings may be required at certain times

Schedule is subject to change depending on organizational needs

Mental, Physical and Communication Demands

Maintain a pleasant, courteous, professional, and informative demeanor with staff members, volunteers, and the public

Regular exposure to animals, cleaning chemicals, fumes, animal feces, bites, and scratches

Ability to work around pet dander, dust and other allergens without issue

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds

The employee must frequently bend, grip and be flexible to do so

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus

Sustain a full 8-10 hour day of driving, walking, bending, and physical activity in the shelter

Understand that euthanasia is sometimes a humane option for some animals.

Work alone with minimal supervision

Resolve conflicts successfully

Communicate clearly, including excellent writing skills and an ability to speak in public

This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related duties required by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship.

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, service in the military, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation and training.

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