Adoption Coordinator

Position Title: Adoption Coordinator

Department: Adoptions

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Reports To: Director of Customer Experience

Schedule: Friday through Monday or Thursday through Sunday. 

Position Summary: 

The Adoption Coordinator plays a vital role in connecting animals with loving homes by creating a positive, welcoming, and inclusive experience for all potential adopters and visitors. This position ensures that every interaction with the public reflects the shelter’s commitment to compassion, education, and support. The ideal candidate will be approachable, empathetic, highly organized, and passionate about animal welfare and community engagement.

Essential Job Functions

This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees are required to follow any other job-related duties assigned by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise and does not alter the “at‐will” relationship.

• Adoption Experience & Customer Support
  • Serve as the first point of contact for individuals interested in adopting.
  • Provide warm, nonjudgmental, and informative guidance throughout the adoption process.
  • Build trust with adopters by listening to their needs and helping them find a suitable pet.
  • Ensure adoption areas are welcoming, clean, and accessible to all.
• Community Engagement
  • Foster a culture of inclusivity by creating a friendly, judgment-free environment for all visitors.
  • Educate the public about responsible pet ownership and shelter policies in a supportive manner.
  • Represent the shelter at community events and adoption fairs as needed.
• Adoption Coordination
  • Review adoption applications and communicate with potential adopters to match animals with appropriate homes.
  • Conduct meet-and-greets and support foster-to-adopt arrangements when applicable.

1. Utilize shelter software program (Chameleon) to generate reports, navigate and edit animals’ profiles, and perform file checks for cruelty and/or neglect charges of potential adopters.

• Prepare report cards and other adoption materials for available animals.
• Collaboration & Communication
  • Work closely with shelter staff, volunteers, and the medical team to ensure a smooth adoption process.
  • Work Closely with Animal Support Specialist to communicate animal behavior, needs, and history honestly and respectfully.
  • Assist in resolved post-adoption customer questions and concerns.

Qualifications 

 Required

• High school diploma or GED.
• Ability to safely and comfortably handle animals of all sizes, breeds, and species.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively, professionally, and courteously with a culturally diverse staff and community.
• Knowledge regarding responsible pet ownership.
• Affection and compassion for animals, concern for their welfare, and willingness to accommodate animals in the workplace. 
• Good judgment and effective problem solving/decision-making skills. 
• Ability to remain calm and work effectively in a high-stress, fast-paced work environment.
• Ability to resolve difficult adoption situations including unsuitable matches and denials of applicants.
• Self-motivated and proven ability to work efficiently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to handle the emotional aspect of work in an animal shelter environment, including the use of euthanasia.

Desired

• Experience working with animals in a behavior/training/care capacity.
• General understanding of common behavioral issues with pets and humane approaches to resolve such issues using positive reinforcement.
• Demonstrated knowledge of canine/feline body language and communicative signals. 
• Adaptable to different work circumstances or challenges.
• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel; capable of learning shelter system database.  

Work Conditions

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions within the work environment.

• Must be able to work weekends.
• The noise level in the office environment is usually quiet, though braking or whining of animals may be escalated at certain times in certain areas of the building.
• High exposure to animals whose reactions to the shelter environment cannot be predicted.
• Temperatures in the shelter environment are varied, though usually moderate, and dependent on the season.
• Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases and hazardous chemicals.
• Ability to work around animals without severe allergic reactions.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully preform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The Nebraska Humane Society provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, such as a veteran, or any other protected category, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.