Adoption Counselor

Description

The Humane Society for Southwest Washington is currently seeking an Adoption Counselor to join our team. This is a part‑time (20 to 25 hours per week), FLSA nonexempt opportunity.

Since 1897, the Humane Society for Southwest Washington (HSSW) has been caring for the animals of Southwest Washington. Today, we are the largest animal welfare agency in Southwest Washington with campuses in Vancouver and Longview, where we help thousands of adoptable pets find shelter, TLC, and loving homes. And through programs like free pet food, emergency shelter, financial assistance, and medical care, we provide critical support that helps pets in need stay home with the families they love.

Thanks to our hardworking staff and volunteers, we serve more than 10,000 pets each year. At our Community Veterinary Clinic (CVC), we provide high‑quality, subsidized care to the pets of income‑qualified families in our community. The CVC expands access to preventative care and spay/neuter, provides care for treatable conditions, and offers essential support to keep pets happy and healthy. And at ReTails Thrift Store, our team of staff and volunteers help hundreds of thousands of items find a second life, providing vital funding for our work with animals.

Thanks to our hardworking staff and volunteers, we served more than 10,000 pets in our community - helping them find new homes or providing the support they need to stay with the family who loves them.

Our mission is to rescue, return, restore, rehome, and reconnect one animal at a time. That work is possible thanks to the dedicated teams of staff and volunteers who are here for the animals every 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.

The mission of the Adoption Counselor is to provide excellent service to patrons in an adoption centre that facilitates thousands of companion animal adoptions per year. The position is responsible for the success of all aspects of the adoption process, including conducting adoptions, providing adoption counselling/animal selection assistance, entering computer data, completing necessary paperwork, performing follow‑up services, retail pet store sales, and working with staff, volunteers, and workforce partners.

The position requires a person with excellent interpersonal skills and strong verbal and written communication skills. Adoption Counselor positions are FLSA non‑exempt and may be either full time (between 30 & 40 hours per week) or part time (less than 30 hours per week), reporting to the Customer Care Manager.

• Educate clients on responsible animal guardianship and animal care
• Provide prompt in‑person and telephone customer service
• Assist with donations, both monetary and in‑kind, from patrons
• Generate revenue in retail sales through suggestive selling prior to completing transactions
• Actively promote and market HSSW animals and match them to appropriate families
• Conduct adoptions, provide adoption counselling/animal selection assistance, enter computer data, complete necessary paperwork, and perform follow‑up services
• Keep service desk area orderly, stocked and cleaned, and perform daily cleaning of public areas.
• Assist in training of volunteers, fellow staff, and workforce partners
• Keep team lead and supervisor and related departments informed of animal behaviour, health concerns
• Maintain accurate kennel and computer records
• Represent HSSW in a professional and courteous manner
• Take initiative to perform other duties as you see the need for

• Safely perform physical work for duration of 8‑10‑hour shift
• Demonstrated ability to safely handle a variety of companion animals
• Minimum two years of animal handling experience
• Minimum one year of customer service experience
• Minimum one year experience with data entry administration
• Ability to work a flexible schedule that includes some weekends
• Ability to work collaboratively in a…