Adoption Counselor (Part-time)

Description

Location: Asheville Humane Society - Adoption Center

Regular schedule: Part-time, approximately 24 hours per week; Saturday, Sunday, and Monday

Pay: $17.00/hour, with an increase after 6 months of employment

Help Pets Find the Right Home

Finding the right home for an animal is about more than matching a person with a pet. It's about understanding the needs, personality, and behavior of each animal and helping adopters find a companion who will be a good fit for their home and lifestyle.

As an Adoption Counselor, you'll be one of the primary points of contact for people visiting the Asheville Humane Society Adoption Center. You'll help potential adopters learn about available animals, answer questions, guide them through the adoption process, and complete the paperwork needed to help animals move into their new homes.

You'll also play an important role in the day-to-day care of the animals at the Adoption Center. You'll maintain a working knowledge of the animals in our care, provide prescribed medical and behavioral support, document health and temperament concerns, and work closely with staff and volunteers to keep the Adoption Center clean, organized, and welcoming.

If you enjoy working with both people and animals, are comfortable in a customer-facing environment, and want to help create successful adoptions, we'd love to meet you.

What You'll Do

As a member of the Adoption Center Team, you'll work closely with adopters, volunteers, and staff across Asheville Humane Society to provide excellent customer service while ensuring animals receive consistent, compassionate care.

Responsibilities include:

• Provide information to the public and counsel potential adopters regarding open adoption policies and animals available at the Adoption Center.
• Help potential adopters identify animals that may be a good fit based on their lifestyle, experience, and the individual animal's needs.
• Complete and process necessary adoption paperwork accurately.
• Process associated retail transactions as needed.
• Maintain a working knowledge of all animals housed in the Adoption Center, including their medical, behavioral, and adoption information.
• Demonstrate proper animal handling and care.
• Provide daily animal care, including cleaning, feeding, watering, and walking as needed.
• Monitor, report, and document animal temperament and medical or health concerns.
• Administer medications to animals in the Adoption Center as directed.
• Carry out behavior protocols assigned by the Director of Behavior and Training.
• Follow AHS protocols for the movement and placement of animals.
• Ensure the Adoption Center remains clean, presentable, tidy, and organized in both public and staff areas.
• Collaborate with volunteers by providing clear communication, guidance, and support while working toward shared goals.
• Perform other duties that support the mission and daily operations of Asheville Humane Society as directed.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Ability to safely handle animals and apply appropriate handling techniques based on individual animal temperament and behavior.
• Basic computer skills.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work professionally and collaboratively with volunteers, coworkers, adopters, and members of the public.
• Ability to work in a customer-facing environment while balancing the needs of people and animals.
• Ability to work a fluctuating part-time schedule based on organizational needs, including weekends.

Preferred

• Previous experience working with animals.
• Previous experience in an animal shelter, veterinary, rescue, pet care, or other animal-related environment.
• Customer service or retail experience.
• Experience working with volunteers.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills.

Physical Requirements

This position requires frequent standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, and handling animals throughout the day. Applicants should be able to safely lift items weighing up to 50 pounds to a height of 4 feet and safely handle and restrain dogs weighing up to 150 pounds.

The position involves working with animals of varying sizes, ages, temperaments, and behavioral needs in a shelter environment that may include cleaning products, animal dander, noise, and occasional exposure to bodily fluids.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Benefits

• 30 hours of paid time off during the first year
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program that provides free, confidential counseling
• Paid Holidays
• Pet Bereavement Leave
• Pet prescription discounts

 Some benefits begin after 60 days of employment.