• Greet customers to ensure that every client has a welcoming and guided experience.
• Maintain active customer service throughout the entire shift both in person and via communications over text, email, and phone call
• Stays current on cats both on site and in foster - update appropriate documents
• Provide guidance to clients in selecting the right cat for their home
• Stay up to date on relevant behavioral and health information of cats onsite and in foster
• Be comfortable discussing complex medical needs with clients in a vernacular that can be easily understood
• Ensure all required paperwork for adopters and fosters is completed accurately
• Educates adopters and fosters in order to be as successful as possible bringing home their new cat; this could include slow and safe introductions and medical needs
• Maintain an open mindset and continually think of how to remove barriers to cats leaving the shelter
• Update internal notes for all cats when new information is available and ensure information is accurate on online profiles
• Monitor physical conditions of animals and advise veterinarians or applicable staff as needed
• Receive, medicate, handle and kennel cats and kittens, including those of unknown temperament, sick and injured animals, and those with zoonotic illness
• Communicate within the Foster and Adoption Success department and with other departments to ensure efficiency in assisting clients
• Respond to email inquiries from clients interested in onsite cats or Matchmaking services in a professional and timely manner
• Ensure safe and productive interactions when introducing cats to clients.
• Willingness to learn, and adherence to, APA’s methods of cat handling, under the guidance and training of APA Cat Care Team members
• Exhibit confidence and proficiency in discussing and demonstrating handling and medicating methods to clients, ensuring clarity and reassurance throughout the process.
• Develop, implement, and sustain placement initiatives aimed at boosting the adoption and fostering rates of specialty population cats, ensuring their successful transition into loving homes.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with staff and volunteers to increase retention on the team
• Recruit and train new Cat Placement volunteers
• Meet with advocates and Cat Program volunteers to discuss notes for marketing cats
• Participate in proactive outreach to potential adopters and fosters
• Assist with daily tracking of appointments and initiatives

• Assist with basic care, feeding, medicating, and cleaning animal areas as needed, adhering to strict sanitation protocols
• Attend and participate in essential trainings covering fundamental cat husbandry practices and techniques for administering medications
• Maintain open and consistent communication with Program Manager or designee, supervisor, and other colleagues
• Able to demonstrate time management to complete job responsibilities
• Able to react to change productively and perform other related duties as assigned
• Able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed
• Able to work in a high volume, fast-paced, high-stress environment
• Other duties, as needed

• Must be open and adaptable to new procedures and ways of working
• Must have experience working with cats, and be able to handle cats safely
• Customer service experience is required
• Ability to recognize, understand, and address various animal behaviors and illnesses
• Ability to handle cats safely and with kindness at all times, without exception
• Must be proficient with email, word processing, and spreadsheets
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills necessary
• Must be available weekends and holidays
• Must embody APA!’s Core Values of Innovation, Respect, Drive, Resourcefulness and Inclusion
• Commitment to APA!'s customer experience expectations
• Willing and committed to working well with volunteers and staff in all roles
• Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred

• Must be able to be on your feet for long periods of time and work outdoors in all types of weather
• Must be able to routinely lift 40-50 pounds
• Must be able to focus in a loud and busy environment despite distractions
• Must be able to walk around the shelter as needed - uneven ground, keeping a safe distance from dogs and handlers
• Must be able to visually observe people and animals from up to 150 feet away
• Ability to hear normal speech at close contact and shouting up to 150 feet away

• Work is normally performed onsite at APA!, with exposure to environmental conditions that include working with and near animals
• Uses own transportation to travel and transport
• Occasional after-hours or weekend work may be required to support program needs
• Rapid pace with exposure to potential hazards including animal waste, disinfectants, and high levels of noise
• When onsite, potential for animal bites and scratches and diseases that can be transmitted from animals to people

• This is a full-time, nonexempt position with an average of 40 hours per week.

• APA! Main - Town Lake Animal Center 1156 West Cesar Chavez Austin, TX 78703
• APA! Tarrytown Cat Adoption Center 3108 Windsor Road Austin, TX 78703
• Remote, with approval
• May travel to offsite locations as needed

Austin Pets Alive! is an equal employment opportunity employer and we value having staff who come from communities that are most impacted by the issues we engage on. We especially encourage people of color, LGBTQ people, women, transgender and gender non-conforming people, and people with disabilities to apply.

Austin Pets Alive! does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Austin Pets Alive! is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, community focus, and innovation.