dakin humane society is hiring

adoption counselor

Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society is searching for a full-time Adoption Counselor to join our team at the Springfield Adoption & Education Center.

You must possess strong customer service, communication and organizational skills. Ability to work weekend shifts required. Bilingual in Spanish a plus.

If you are interested in learning more about Dakin and joining us as a staff member, the first (and required) step is to come to our next information session!

The next information session will be held on Thursday, March 21st at 6:45 pm at our Springfield Adoption & Education Center (171 Union Street).

Please bring a copy of your cover letter and resume with you to the session.

Dakin Position Description

Title: Adoption Counselor

Reports to: Adoption Center Manager

Hours: Full-time, non-exempt, hourly

Function: Under the supervision of the adoption center manager, the adoption counselor ensures safe and humane operations of Dakin adoption centers. She ensures that high quality customer service is delivered to clients and volunteers of the adoption centers while contributing to the operation and maintenance of facilities.

Responsibilities:

animal care:

Provides consistently high standards of humane care for all Dakin animals, including best practices in enrichment, rehabilitation, feeding, housing, and medical care.
Carries out prescribed medical and behavioral treatment programs for all sheltered animals.
Provides daily dog walking.
Performs routine kennel work, including cleaning and disinfecting of animal care areas, cages, kennels, and public areas.
Performs initial and continued health and behavior screening of sheltered animals.
During the admissions process, may make a euthanasia decision based upon an animal's physical or behavioral condition.
Observes animals for signs of illness or injury and reports such to the manager on duty or the adoption center veterinarian for treatment.
Performs humane euthanasia.
Works with foster care volunteers on scheduling and monitoring of volunteer needs.

customer care:

Works closely with prospective adopters to learn their individual needs while providing accurate information about animal care and behavior to ensure sound matchmaking.
Conducts adoptions, intakes, and other services while ensuring high standards of customer and animal care. Provides excellent service to customers.
Serves as a representative of Dakin to customers and assesses customer needs and support. Resolves customer concerns.
Accurately maintains records and daily paperwork, including cash receipts and other routine documents.
Conducts high quality delivery of Dakin outreach programs. Implements new programs and participates in their integration into the daily operations of the adoption centers.
Works with leadership to determine needed efficiencies and implements needed changes.

volunteers and interns:

Provides daily supervision to volunteers and interns of the adoption centers in the performance of their respective job responsibilities.
Trains volunteers and interns and provides ongoing feedback and guidance.
Actively supports volunteers and interns and promotes the development of skills related to the advancement of our goals and mission.

Other responsibilities:

In all functions and tasks follows protocols, procedures and best practices, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of animals, staff, volunteers, and visitors.
Routinely communicates animal-, customer-, and volunteer-related concerns with other staff through the Communications Log.
Monitors and tracks usage of department supplies following the proper agency purchasing guidelines.
Attends Dakin events as required.
Networks with and assists other animal welfare agencies.
Assists with the maintenance and upkeep of animal care facilities and equipment.
Assures the safety of the Dakin workplace and actively monitors safety for staff, clients, and animals. Follows safety guidelines to ensure a safe work environment.
Follows Dakin operating standards and procedures.
Works with leadership to recommend and implement policy/procedural changes for the adoption centers.
Complies with Dakin personnel policies.
Attends appropriate staff meetings.
Serves on appropriate committees, task forces, and networks.
Represents Dakin in a professional and courteous manner at all times.
Provides quality service to customers, volunteers, donors, and staff recognizing their individual contribution to the success of our organization.
Regularly participates in meetings with staff and volunteers to share ideas and suggestions designed to improve working conditions and the organization.
Performs other duties as assigned by the adoption center manager, the manager on duty, or the director of operations.

Position Requirements

Education:

High school diploma or equivalent required.

Experience:

Knowledge of basic domestic animal care and safe/humane animal handling.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel, as well as relational databases and common email platforms.
At least one year delivering excellent customer service in a fast-paced environment.

Skills and Traits:

Must agree with and be committed to the mission, policies, and goals of Dakin Humane Society.
Must be energetic, team oriented and quality improvement minded.
Must be positive, flexible, and able to handle difficult and sensitive situations with diplomacy and discretion.
Must understand and respect confidentiality, be assertive, prioritize, focus, and be customer oriented.
Must be able to see the adoption centers in their relationship to the agency as a whole and the community at large.
Must have public and employee relation skills as well as excellent communication skills.
Must have demonstrated ability to work in a team environment.
Must have strong analytical ability to make sound decisions.
Must be at least 18 years of age.

Mental, Physical and Communication Demands:

Must be available to work when and where needed by the organization.
Must be willing to work irregular hours, weekends and holidays.
Requires reliable attendance.
Requires working alone or with minimal supervision. Must be self-motivated.
Requires working under pressure with a public audience.
Requires patience and tact when working with difficult, emotional, or angry people.
Requires computer proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets, email, and shelter software.
Requires handling people and animals in a pleasant, courteous, and professional manner.
Requires ability to work safely around unruly, vicious, sick, injured, or dangerous animals.
While performing this job the employee will regularly be required to use hands and arms to reach, grasp, and hold animals, supplies, and other tools; to talk and speak clearly to clients and co-workers; and to hear questions and animals.
This job requires a great deal of standing, walking, sitting, kneeling, crouching, and general mobility. It may include lifting up to 40 pounds, carrying and pushing of supplies, and cleaning of animal areas.
This job requires working around and with chemical compounds (i.e., bleach, detergents, and disinfectants) used to clean and disinfect kennels, cages, and other surfaces.
Requires the ability to work in an environment with generally moderate, but occasionally loud, noise levels.
While working with sheltered animals there is a risk of exposure to parasites and infectious diseases.
Allergic conditions, which could be aggravated when handling or working with animals or cleaning supplies, may be a disqualification.

Closing Date: Open until filled

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