Adoptions Team Lead

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Job Type

Full-time

Description

The Humane Society for Southwest Washington is currently seeking an Adoptions Team Lead to join our team. This is a full-time, FLSA nonexempt opportunity.

Since 1897, The Humane Society for Southwest Washington (HSSW) has been caring for the animals of Southwest Washington and the surrounding area. We are a donor-supported non-profit with public contracts. Our mission is to rescue, return, restore, rehome, and reconnect one animal at a time. We also own and operate ReTails Thrift Store - the premiere Southwest Washington thrifting experience. Proceeds from ReTails support animal care and shelter operations.

Path Forward 2025 is an exciting and ambitious strategic plan focused on five strategic pillars: lifesaving pathways for animals, keeping people and pets together, thriving workforce, mission expansion and leveraging technology. Through these efforts we will build a community low-cost veterinary clinic, behavior and education center and improve animal spaces. We will expand programs and resources for the community allowing people and pets to stay together. People bring our mission to life each day. We are committed to a diverse, healthy, and engaged team of employees and volunteers who strive for excellence, treat one another with kindness, and provide quality and compassionate care for the pets and people we serve.

Adoptions Team Lead

The Adoptions Team Lead plays a vital role in supporting the Humane Society for Southwest Washington's mission by fostering a collaborative, "one team" approach within the organization. This position ensures the delivery of exceptional service to patrons in a dynamic, fast-paced adoption center that attends over 8,000 animals annually.

As a key member of HSSW’s Adoptions Team, the Adoptions Team Lead oversees all aspects of the adoption process, including matchmaking, processing adoptions, data entry, completing paperwork, retail operations within the adoption store, and follow-up services. This role also serves as a leader and mentor, providing training, oversight, and support to adoptions counselors and volunteers.

Responsibilities include conducting adoption counseling to help patrons find the best animal match, managing communications (phone and email inquiries), resolving adoption-related concerns, and ensuring the accuracy of daily financial records. Through consistent training and team support, the Adoptions Team Lead enhances the overall adoption experience and upholds the highest standards of customer service, promoting successful placements and meaningful connections between pets and their new families.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality service to customers, volunteers, and staff, recognizing their individual contributions to the organization's success.
• Act as the department’s primary trainer for staff and volunteers to ensure essential duties are performed efficiently and effectively.
• Oversee and delegate the daily workflow of adoptions staff and volunteers while working collaboratively with team members to complete tasks and achieve goals.
• Lead daily adoption operations, including customer interactions, facilitating adoptions, reviewing animal files, and addressing inquiries electronically, in person or by phone.
• Promote communication and cooperation across departments and adjust personnel resources as needed to support organizational needs.
• Take immediate action to resolve shelter-related issues, incidents, equipment failures, or safety concerns, ensuring compliance with all safety guidelines.
• Keep teams informed about animal behavior and health concerns, while maintaining accurate records and overseeing inventory of supplies, samples and retail items.
• Educate clients on responsible animal guardianship, animal care, and HSSW programs, actively promoting the organization’s events and initiatives.
• Participate in hiring processes, event planning, special projects, and committee work to support organizational objectives.
• Monitor staff breaks and schedules, ensuring a balance between team productivity and appropriate rest periods.
• Always represent HSSW positively and professionally, contributing to a safe, efficient, and welcoming environment for clients, staff, and animals.
  
  

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

Physical Demands

• Must be able to engage in various physical activities, including speaking, standing, walking, sitting, bending, stooping, squatting, kneeling, reaching, and stretching.
• Requires the ability to use hands for gripping, grasping, and manipulating objects, including operating a computer keyboard for extended periods.
• Must be able to lift, push, or pull 25–50 pounds in the course of setting up events and moving supplies or materials.
• Physical tasks may include scrubbing, mopping, bending, lifting, walking, and standing for extended periods (up to 10 hours per day).
• Reasonable accommodation may be provided to individuals with disabilities to assist in performing essential job functions.
  
  

Working Conditions

• Work is primarily performed in a standard office lobby environment with exposure to conditions typically found in animal shelters, including direct interaction with animals.
• The shelter operates seven days per week, with potential exposure to fractious animals, high noise levels, zoonotic diseases, and the risks associated with animal bites and scratches.
• Exposure to cleaning chemicals, allergens, and other environmental factors is possible.
• Through direct or indirect interaction with shelter animals, there may be potential exposure of infectious diseases to your personally owned animals.
• All HSSW campuses utilize nut-based products, such as peanut butter and walnut-based litter.
  
  

Compensation

The hourly pay range for this position is $18.90 - $20.24 per hour. The starting pay within that range is dependent upon experience.

Full Time Employee Benefits

In addition to serving in an organization with a compassionate and strategic purpose, full-time employees currently enjoy the following benefits and employee perks.

• Health, dental, and vision insurance benefits that become effective the first of the month after hire.
• Matching percentage 401 (k) retirement plan that begins the first month after hire, has a 3-year graded vestment schedule and a ROTH contribution option.
• Employee Assistance Program for all household member access.
• Section 125 FSA Cafeteria Plan for out-of-pocket health and/or dependent day care expenses.
• Numerous employee discounts and discounts with partner organizations.
• Access to affordable life, disability, and accidental supplemental insurance.
• As a 501c3 non-profit organization, full-time employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness with the potential to eliminate student loans within 10 years!
  
  

Paid Time Off (PTO)

This position accrues PTO at a rate of 1.84 hours for every 40 hours worked.

Additional Paid Time Includes

• Floating Holidays.
• Bereavement leave.
• Pet bereavement leave.
• Jury duty pay.
  
  

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.

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

Application Deadline: Open until filled.

Salary Description

$18.90 - $20.24 per hour