Admissions Specialist

Description The Humane Society for Southwest Washington is currently seeking an Admissions Specialist 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. Today, we are the largest animal welfare agency in the region with campuses in Vancouver and Longview, where we help thousands of adoptable pets find shelter, TLC, and loving homes.

Through programs such as free pet food, emergency shelter, financial assistance, and medical care, we provide critical support that keeps pets in their families. At our Community Veterinary Clinic we offer high‑quality, subsidized care for income‑qualified families. At the ReTails Thrift Store, staff and volunteers help hundreds of thousands of items find a second life, providing vital funding for our animal work.

The mission of the Admissions Specialist is to assist community members in working through emotionally challenging situations without judgment—from owner‑requested surrenders to helping community cat populations and redeeming pets back to their families. The ideal candidate is community‑mindful, detail‑focused, passionate about progressive animal sheltering, and eager to grow with a leading Pacific Northwest shelter.

• Provide high quality customer service to patrons and co‑workers.
• Provide prompt in‑person and telephone customer service.
• Conduct the admission of stray and relinquished animals following safety and intake protocols, enter computer data and complete necessary paperwork.
• Perform lost and found program duties to assist patrons seeking lost animals.
• Provide essential animal care, as necessary.
• Take immediate action to bring shelter‑related issues, incidents, or equipment failures to the attention of a supervisor.
• Actively solicit donations from clients and assist with accepting in‑kind donations.
• Actively promote HSSW programs and events to clients, volunteers, and staff.
• Keep appropriate teams informed of animal behavior and health concerns.
• Maintain accurate kennel and computer records.
• Perform data entry tasks throughout the day and work with multi‑line phone systems.
• Keep service desk areas orderly, stocked and cleaned following disinfection protocol.

• Perform all essential duties and primary responsibilities as Level 1.
• Use acquired knowledge, skills, and abilities to act as an independent decision maker in all aspects of Admissions with policies, procedures, and SOPs.
• Mentor and train fellow admissions team staff and volunteers to perform essential duties efficiently and effectively.
• Perform liaison duties for cases and intakes with animal control officers.
• Provide follow‑up reports and documentation on animals with a court hold or protective custody status.
• Be trained in cat and dog handling, safely bunking intakes in holding areas independently from care teams.
• Easily identify and speak to community resource programs and HSSW intake diversion tactics to keep people and pets together.
• Proficiently and securely handle deceased animals upon arrival (DOAs) and serve as a designated key holder for White Pod.

• Always represent HSSW in a professional and courteous manner. Provide high quality service to customers and co‑workers.
• Maintain a positive, cooperative relationship with all departments and co‑workers to promote a team effort in all interactions.
• Follow all safety guidelines to ensure a safe work environment and take immediate action to address any safety concerns or noncompliance.
• Participate on committees and special projects and perform other duties as needed.
• Promote integration and utilization of volunteers and workforce partners, recognizing their individual contributions to the organization's success.
• Communicate with supervisor on significant developments within the department.
• Exercise good judgment in all interactions.
• Respect organizational policies and procedures, maintaining a positive, respectful attitude as a role model for other employees.
• Demonstrate flexible and efficient time management and ability to prioritize…