Admission Counselor Jobs

ADMISSION COUNSELOR
Part-time
16 to 24 hours/week, $15 per hour
Reports to Coordinator of Surrenders and Coordinator of Transfers
The Richmond SPCA is one of our region's most beloved non-profit organizations. As a national no-kill leader in animal welfare, the Richmond SPCA is building a more compassionate community through the delivery of crucial programs of pet adoption, retention, training, advocacy, humane education, and more. Annually, we rescue, rehabilitate and adopt out nearly 4,000 homeless animals while also providing our community with vital safety net programs designed to keep pets in loving homes and out of shelters.
Admission counselors play an essential role in the intake of dogs and cats into the care of the Richmond SPCA. Admission counselors also provide pet-retention counseling and services to the community.
Essential Functions

• Maintain open and regular communication with the Surrender Coordinator, Transfer Coordinator and Senior Director of Shelter Operations
• Report any medical concerns or observations to the veterinary staff for monitoring
• Ensure that paperwork and records are entered thoroughly and accurately into the PetPoint data base and each individual pet's file
• Assist other colleagues in the department as needed
• Answer phones and e-mail in a timely manner with helpful and clear information
• Complete special cleaning projects and side duties as needed
• Assist customers inquiring about pet surrender with empathy and compassion, not judgement, and partner with them to find the best solution for their unique situation
• Work with our awesome volunteers and respond to their questions in a professional manner
• Drive company vehicles to complete transfer of dogs and cats from transfer partners throughout the state of Virginia and neighboring states
• Notify appropriate personnel when admission supplies are running low
• Provide pet-retention counseling for members of the public both by phone, email and in person
• Other job-related duties as assigned
• General cleaning, restocking, and upkeep of workspace as well as sweeping, dusting, mopping, taking out the trash, and restocking files and other supplies
• Facilitate the intake process for owner surrenders and transfers
• Attend and participate in all required trainings and meetings
• Administer vaccines, blood pulls and de-wormer on dogs and cats of various size, temperament and medical history
• Collect detailed behavioral and background information from clients surrendering animals
• Greet and assist all visitors in a professional, warm and positive manner
• Report any behavioral concerns or observations to the shelter trainers for monitoring

Requirements

• Be 18 years of age or older
• Daytime availability, weekend availability preferred but not required
• Able to work in a high volume, fast-paced, high-stress environment
• Have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation including during inclement weather conditions
• Able to react to change productively

Qualifications, Skills & Expectations

• Strong work ethic
• Must be able to work independently at times
• Strong computer skills (Word, Excel, MS Outlook)
• Weekend availability preferred
• Ability to multitask
• Previous customer service experience and ability to satisfactorily resolve customer service issues
• Punctual with a sense of urgency
• Ability to maintain existing organizational systems
• Ability to multi-task, take and follow directions, adapt to and accommodate changing demands
• Good time management and prioritization skills
• Ability to learn new software quickly and completely
• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to travel several hours for transfers (both driving or as a passenger)
• Uncompromising commitment to the wellbeing of every pet in our care
• Handling dogs and cats: both general handling (petting, leash-walking, some lifting and carrying) and restraint (drawing blood, giving vaccines, and placing animals in cages/carriers) are necessary on adaily basis
• Prior experience working in a shelter, rescue or veterinary environment preferred
• Team-oriented mindset
• Comfort handling and learning to handle dogs and cats
• Professional phone presence and comfort speaking with the public both in person and on the phone
• Resourceful, positive, get-it-done attitude
• Must demonstrate ability to work with needles or willingness to learn (drawing blood, administering vaccines, etc.)

Physical Job Requirements

• Able to be on your feet for an entire 8-hour shift
• Have physical strength to perform medical restraint, animal handling and cleaning duties effectively and efficiently
• Able to bend and use your arms in a repetitive manner
• Willing to work in all weather conditions
• Able to routinely lift 40-50 lbs.
• Able to work around animals (including those who are sick or injured or who have behavior challenges), loud noises, cat litter, animal waste, and various chemicals
• Able to kneel, stoop, and use stairs

Work Environment

• Rapid pace with exposure to potential hazards including animal waste and disinfectants
• High levels of noise
• Potential for animal bites and scratches and diseases that are zoonotic (can be transmitted from animals to people)

All employees are eligible to become clients of the low-cost, full-service Susan M. Markel Veterinary Hospital of the Richmond SPCA and have access to an Employee Assistance Program and 401(k) retirement plan.