Adoption Counselor – F/T, Murray

Position Title: Adoptions Counselor

Reporting To: Adoptions Manager

Compensation: $16.50-20/hr DOE

Employment Type: Full-time

An hourly pay differential allowance of $.50 per hour may be paid to bilingual incumbents fluent in Spanish.

Do you love animals?  This is an incredibly rewarding job that gives you the opportunity to work directly with dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and other companion animals every day.  Adoptions Counselors work with potential adopters to find new homes for shelter animals and provide education and support for the care those animals will need.  The Adoptions team is fun, upbeat, and creative and thrives on seeing pets leave the shelter and go home!

Under the direction of the Adoptions Manager in all activities and responsibilities, the Adoption Counselor’s main purpose is to serve the public in a professional, expedient, and courteous manner and to be the primary contact for all adoption clients. The Adoptions Counselor is responsible for facilitating adoptions of animals in our care. 

The Adoptions Program at Utah Humane has a goal that is simple and powerful; we are looking to help end animal homelessness in our community by connecting people and pets for adoption. Utah Humane Adoptions Counselors are innovative, charismatic, forward-thinking individuals. Utah Humane employs an open adoption approach where we understand that there is no such thing as the “perfect home” and we welcome all clients as potential adopters. Using this approach, the adoption process is conversation-based and non-judgmental. Our focus is on matching pets with people and providing resources to continue assisting post-adoption.

Work Schedule

• Position includes weekday, weekend and holiday hours requiring a flexible work schedule depending on needs.
• Hours and days are subject to change based on department demands. 

Required Skills

• High school diploma or equivalent. Some college-level classes preferred. 
• Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail. 
• Strong customer service skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment. 
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with the public, fellow employees, and volunteers. 
• Proficiency in Excel, Gmail, Google Sheets/Docs, and other computer skills that include the ability to prepare reports and maintain an efficient records system. 
• Valid Utah driver’s license and insurable driving record. 
• Self-motivated and well-organized, able to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced work environment. 

Preferred Skills/Qualifications

• Training in communications. 
• Professional experience in retail, customer service. 
• Knowledge of veterinary care/animal health. 
• Experience providing a high level of service to customers. 
• Familiar and experienced with Shelterluv (shelter management database system). 

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

• Ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb and manipulate (lift, carry, move) up to 50 pounds. 
• Ability to work outdoors in varying temperatures and climates. 
• Ability to work with animals of varying temperament in noisy conditions. 
• Ability to work with cleaning materials. 
• Ability to use strength and agility while working with active animals. 
• Responsible for presenting a neat and professional appearance to the public at all times.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-level customer service to Utah Humane’s patrons. 
• Manage emotionally difficult situations with strong communication skills. 
• Help people through the adoption process, sharing information about animal care and behavior, reviewing adoption applications, interviewing applicants in a conversational way, making decisions to finalize or deny an adoption, and communicating with the applicant in such a manner that maintains a courteous and friendly attitude even when declining a request. 
• Follow up on adoptions by phone once the animal has been placed in the new home. 
• Actively reach out to and interact with the general public, specifically talking with prospective adopters to find out what they are looking for in a pet. 
• Provide information about Utah Humane’s resources and programs. 
• Prepare and reconcile statements of daily financial transactions. 
• Safely handle, restrain, and move animals. This includes coordination and movement to address contagion concerns. 
• Administer vaccinations and preventative medications. 
• Communicate with other departments to coordinate and assist with care of shelter animals. 
• Contribute to and lead initiatives to improve processes and procedures. 
• Clean and sanitize adoption areas. 
• Treat all animals humanely, properly, and with compassion at all times, regardless of the situation or circumstance; promote a humane and caring attitude toward all animals at all times. 
• Maintain positive relationships with co-workers, managers, executive staff, community pet owners, adopters and other stakeholders. 
• Cheerfully acknowledge the presence of customers in all public areas, and interacting with the public in a polite, professional, nonjudgmental manner at all times. 
• Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director or Director of Pet Resource Center Operations. 

How to Apply

Please email a current resume to [email protected]. Reference “Adoptions Counselor” in the Subject Line of your email.

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 will be required to follow any other job-related duties required by management. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship.

The Humane Society of Utah is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.