Animal Care and Adoptions Specialist - NYC

Hiring Range: This position’s hiring range is anticipated to be $21 per hour to $24 per hour, depending on experience, plus great benefits!
Location: New York City (Onsite) – Please note we are temporarily in Bushwick during renovation of our permanent Soho location. Once renovations are completed later this fall, we will resume working out of our location in Soho.  

Schedule: The schedule for this role hasn’t been finalized, but it will likely include weekend shifts.

Position Summary: Animal Care and Adoptions Specialists are responsible for the daily functions, and growth of lifesaving programs such as adoptions, as well as providing basic animal care for animals in our program locations. Specialists act with urgency to accomplish important tasks and play a direct role in achieving Best Friends Animal Society’s no-kill mission and organizational success. They may receive intensive assignments in a particular program, based on organizational needs. 

Essential Duties Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate kindness and the Golden Rule in our everyday actions by practicing inclusion and respect for every person for the value they bring to the table. Be a role model for the spirit of authenticity, kindness and positive influence with each other, our visitors, and volunteers as well as to the animals every day. This includes listening, being present, being supportive of others and demonstrating compassion and curiosity in conflict.

• Promote and facilitate pet adoptions, providing superior customer service, new pet parent counselling, and post-adoption support throughout.

• Deliver superior customer service, assist adopters, fosters and transfer partners by gathering information to match them with appropriate animals; develop general knowledge of the animals in the Best Friends’ care, and in our partner shelters’ care, when necessary, to best match both animal and client needs.

• Work directly with and support volunteers on all aspects and protocols of lifesaving care and outcome programs, including but not limited to program protocols, cleaning protocols, specific animal behavior and care, animal handling, transportation requirements and procedures, data entry, and communications.

• Work collaboratively with Best Friends’ team members in all areas of operations to achieve lifesaving goals; follow Best Friends policies, procedures, and task lists for daily lifesaving outcome assignments, including accurate and timely communications, work completion, data entry, and recordkeeping.

• Maintain a safe workplace, value, and model safe work practices, adhering to organizational safety practices and rules, and communicate to leadership about unsafe practices and conditions.

Skills and Experience:

• Previous experience handling dogs and cats in a professional or volunteer setting is required. Basic ability to identify and speak to medical and behavioral characteristics of dogs and cats. Fear free certification is a plus.

• Prior experience providing a high level of customer service in a client or community facing role is required.

• Customer-centric, non-judgmental approach to engaging with adopters, partners, visitors, volunteers, and colleagues; familiarity and comfort with a conversational adoption process.

• Bilingual or multi-lingual skills are preferred but not required.

• Strong interpersonal skills, a team player, personable, professional, and able to get along with people from different backgrounds, as well as the ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations.  

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with well-developed organization skills to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands. 

• Resourceful, get-it-done attitude; initiative to assist in any area or process; problem solving, seeking answers independently and enthusiastically; flexibility to persist until goals are achieved.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products; familiarity with shelter software/animal management software, or desire to learn.

• Ability to professionally advocate Best Friends’ positions on issues; experience in supporting, engaging with, and developing relationships with volunteers and donors. 

Physical Requirements:

• Routinely lift 40 pounds and perform daily strenuous activity including, but not limited to lifting, carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, cleaning, and bending.

• Work at a computer and perform repetitive tasks for extended periods of time including typing, arm, and hand motion.

• Standing, sitting, or walking for extended periods of time.

• Ability to work with, leash, kennel, walk, and handle cats and dogs, including those with health and/or behavior conditions/concerns.

• Work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions including extreme heat and cold.

• Exposure to dogs and cats of all sizes, temperaments, and medical status.

• Ability to travel, including overnight stays, when needed.

• Daily hours and days of the week may vary according to the needs of the department schedule; position includes weekends, nights, and holiday work.

Thank you for your interest in pursuing a career at Best Friends Animal Society. Best Friends Animal Society is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or domestic partner status.

Applicants for employment in the U.S. must have valid work authorization that does not now and/or will not in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S. by Best Friends Animal Society.