Adoption Counselor (Part-time)

Description

The Humane Society for Southwest Washington is currently seeking an Adoption Counselor to join our team. This is a part-time, 20 hours per week, FLSA nonexempt opportunity. 

Since 1897, HSSW has been the leader in animal welfare across Southwest Washington. With an annual operating budget of $15 million, we are the largest and most innovative animal welfare organization in the region. Our shelter campuses in Vancouver and Longview, WA serve more than 10,000 animals each year, providing high-quality care, medical services, and the compassion they deserve. 

Our community-based approach helps keep pets and people together. Through the Nierenberg Community Veterinary Clinic, the Sandra Richardson Miller Mobile Veterinary Clinic, the Swigert Family Behavior & Training Center, and programs like free pet food and other essential resources, we serve more than 18,000 owned animals annually expanding access to affordable veterinary care, spay/neuter, training, and support. 

We also own and operate ReTails Thrift Store, a top shopping destination named Best Thrift Store in Clark County for eight consecutive years, providing vital funding for our mission. 

At HSSW, you’ll find an innovative, high-energy culture where your passion for animals and people can make a real difference. We’re looking for team members who want to be part of something bigger: supporting pets, strengthening families, and shaping the future of animal welfare in Southwest Washington. HSSW has been honored as Best Non-Profit for two years running—a recognition of our impact and leadership in the community. 

Adoption Counselor

 The Adoption Counselor helps create successful, lasting matches between people and pets while providing a welcoming and supportive experience for everyone who visits HSSW. This role guides adopters through the full adoption journey—from helping them identify the right companion and providing thoughtful adoption counseling to completing adoption paperwork, maintaining accurate records, and connecting families with resources that support a successful transition home.

Adoption Counselors work closely with fellow staff, volunteers, and workforce partners and contribute to a positive, collaborative adoption environment. Responsibilities also include responding to adopter questions, providing post-adoption support, assisting with retail sales, and helping maintain an organized and engaging adoption center.

This position requires strong interpersonal and communication skills, sound judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to confidently work with people and animals with a wide range of needs and personalities. Adoption Counselors are primarily based at our Vancouver Campus and must be able to periodically commute to our Longview Campus to support and conduct adoptions.

Adoption Counselor positions report to the Adoptions Manager and may be full-time (30–40 hours per week) or part-time (less than 30 hours per week).

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.

This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship. HSSW participates in E-Verify.

Compensation 

The hourly pay for this position ranges from $17.82 to $18.36 per hour. Starting wage is dependent upon experience. 

Employee Benefits and Perks
In addition to serving in an organization with a compassionate and strategic purpose, eligible employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package and a variety of employee perks. 

Benefits include: 

• Health insurance effective the first of the month following hire (full-time employees). 
• Dental and vision insurance
• Employer Matching 401(k)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Section 125 FSA Cafeteria Plan for out-of-pocket health and/or dependent day care expenses. 
• Access to affordable life, disability, and accidental supplemental insurance. 
• Numerous employee discounts and discounts with partner organizations. 
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualified employer. To learn more about this Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, go to https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation. 

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 (full-time employees). 
• Bereavement leave 
• Pet bereavement leave

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 meet the qualifications for this position? 

If so, then click the Apply button to begin your journey to join our team today. HSSW participates in E-Verify 

The Humane Society for Southwest Washington is an equal opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodations during the hiring process for qualified applicants with disabilities. 

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

Application Deadline: Open until filled.