The Adoptions Associate is responsible for daily cleaning of cages/kennels, assisting with daily animal care, assisting with animal intakes and adoptions, interacting with the public, performing data entry, and processing sales transactions at the Friendship Animal Protective League.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Excellent organizational skills as well as the ability to work in a fast-paced, emotionally taxing environment and handle multiple tasks at once
• Must possess database management skills and ability to use Microsoft Office (Knowledge of Pet Point a plus)
• Experience working with animals or in animal welfare a plus
• Demonstrated experience handling a variety of companion animals
• Must possess an Ohio driver’s license with an insurable driving record
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
• Background check required

Responsibilities:

Care of Shelter Animals:

• Cleaning of cages/kennels, assisting with daily animal care, including spot cleaning of animal and public areas throughout the day.
• Treating all animals humanely, properly, and with compassion at all times, regardless of the situation or circumstance and promoting a humane and caring attitude toward all animals.
• Keeps Supervisors and Animal Care Department informed of behavior or health concerns
• Maintains accurate kennel and computer records.
• Follows all safety guidelines to ensure a safe work environment. Takes immediate action to address any safety concern or noncompliance of safety rules that could put an employee, volunteer, client, animal, or the organization at risk.
• Working courteously and cooperatively with other staff members.
• Assists with administration of vaccinations, blood-work and medications for companion animals at the facility.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Customer Service:

• Represents the APL in a professional and courteous manner at all times. Provide high quality customer service to customers who visit or call Friendship APL.
• Actively reaches out to and interacts with the general public, specifically talking with prospective adopters in order to make the best possible match.
• Conducts adoptions, provides adoption counseling/animal selection assistance, educates customers about animal care & behavior, reviews adoption applications, interviews applicants in a conversational way, enter computer data, completes necessary paperwork and performs follow-up services.
• Work with volunteers to increase adoptions.
• Advise people who are having a problem with their pet and/or who want to surrender their pet to Friendship APL. This may occur in person, over the phone or via e-mail.
• Assist clients seeking lost or adoptable animals.
• Willingness and ability to learn Petpoint computer program used to track animals at FAPL.
• Willingness and ability to learn about cat and dog behavior, common issues, and ways to address them in order to make good adoption matches.

Specific Job Skills:

• Strong interpersonal skills. The ideal person for this job would be personable, outgoing, patient, professional, and able to get along well with a variety of people.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills.
• Affection for animals, concern for their welfare, and a willingness to accommodate animals in the workplace.
• Αbility and initiative, working with minimal supervision and direction.
• Maturity, good judgment and a professional personal appearance.
• Ability to read, write and understand English.
• Flexibility, ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Ability to remain pleasant and calm even in stressful situations.
• Ability to ask appropriate questions to gather information along with the ability to feel and show empathy for others.
• Familiarity with animals, knowledge of animal behavior, breeds, and handling or experience volunteering or working with a rescue group, humane society, foster care involvement or other animal welfare agency are a plus.
• Comfort and ability to work with animals of unknown disposition and those who may exhibit medical and other problems, as well as aggressive tendencies.

Physical Requirements:

• Physical ability to walk and/or stand on your feet throughout a normal workday required.
• Physical ability to engage in repetitive motions of legs, arms, and hands, to hear, to see, to move animals and goods.
• Allergic conditions, which would be aggravated when handling or working with animals, may be a disqualification.
• Ability to lift and carry objects and animals of moderate weight
• Ability to lift, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, push and other strenuous activity

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $14.00 - $15.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Health insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Every weekend
• Holidays

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• Animal Handling: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Elyria, OH 44035: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person