Pet Support Representative (Barcs Animal Shelter)

Job Relationship: Reports to Pet Support Manager under the supervision of the Director of Community Programs and works closely with all departments, volunteers, and customers

Position Summary: The Pet Support Representative is the face of the shelter and is responsible for providing excellent customer service to a diverse community of pet owners and ensuring the best possible outcome for the animal and family. The PSR is responsible for providing resources and services to help keep the pet with their family when possible or for gathering detailed information for incoming animals to assist with fast tracking the animal for a positive outcome.The PSR’s are also responsible for detailed documentation and data entry into the shelter database, monetary transactions, handling incoming calls, and responding to emails.

A typical work week includes weekends and may include holidays.

Responsibilities:

• Provides excellent customer service to all visitors and represents BARCS in a professional, non-judgemental, inclusive, and courteous manner
• Provides clear direction for services available through BARCS or other organizations to help reduce animal relinquishment, pet overpopulation, and to assist customers in the ability to keep their animals. This includes, but is not limited to, training for behavior issues, food bank assistance, providing pet supplies, temporary boarding, medical assistance, spay/neuter services, general pet care, financial assistance options, housing information, etc
• Provides support and direct guidance for self-rehoming when the pet owner is unable to keep their pet
• Documents detailed animal information and schedules incoming animals that have no alternatives
• Ensures all incoming animals have a photo in the shelter database
• Proactively communicates with appropriate team members (foster, rescue, return to home, training, medical) about incoming animals to triage care and decrease length of stay
• Proactively focuses on fast pet reunification for lost pets and animals impounded by Animal Control
• Responsible for the proactive lost pet prevention strategies by educating customers on microchipping, identification tags, pet license tags, pet containment, proactive use of the Petco Love Lost website, etc.
• Provides resources and direct support to community members who have found an animal and or lost a pet in order to reunite families as quickly as possible. Examples include, but are not limited to, reviewing the steps of reunification, creating a lost pet flyer, entering pets into Petco Love Lost database, posting on social media, etc
• Compares lost report with shelter population on a daily basis and maintains accurate lost and found board
• Tracks all required data, communication, and statistics to evaluate effectiveness of BARCS intake prevention program, the issues in the community, and resources necessary to help people and their pets
• Responsible for the sale of pet licenses and dog park registration and informing the public about public clinics
• Responsible for efficient and accurate data entry into BARCS shelter database
• Maintains organized files and confidential information
• Handles all monetary transactions in a safe and confidential manner and assists Pet Support Manager with daily revenue verification
• Maintains cleanliness of front office and lobby and ensures proper signage and brochures are displayed
• The PSR handles incoming calls and responds appropriately to BARCS general email inquiries
• Performs related work as required

Qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a GED certificate.
• Ability to exercise good judgment especially when dealing with confidential information
• Demonstrates experience in customer service and working with potentially difficult customers
• Able to perform physical work; bending, lifting, walking and standing for up to 10 hours a day
• Must demonstrate being efficient and effective in math, writing, and data entry
• Ability to modify work schedule to meet BARCS operational needs

Knowledge And Skills:

• Must exhibit excellent customer service skills and have clear, positive communication
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and contribute to a positive working environment
• Ability to follow both written and verbal directions
• Ability to work both independently as well as with a team
• Ability to problem solve, multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment with a variety of people
• Must be detail oriented and able to prioritize and perform duties efficiently and effectively
• Committed to maintaining the BARCS high standard of animal care and mission

Working Conditions:

Work is performed in an animal shelter that operates seven days a week, with exposure to conditions such as dust, wetness, odors, high noise levels, etc. Work requires physical exertion such as, but not limited to, standing most of the day, bending, and lifting boxes with inventory of varying weights. In this position, there is limited exposure to dogs, cats, and small pets. There is potential exposure to: sharp objects, cleaning agents, animal waste, zoonotic diseases, and potentially hazardous conditions including the risk of animal scratches and bites. There is also exposure to friendly, loving animals in need of your affection.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $18.00 - $19.23 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Shift:

• Day shift

Ability to Commute:

• Brooklyn, MD 21225 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $18 - $19