Adoption Counselor

**Adoption Counselor**

**Position**: Adoption Counselor
**Reports To**:Manager of Pathway Planning
**Type**: Permanent
**Hours**: Part-Time

**Essential Duties and Primary Job Purpose**
Under the direction of the Manager of Pathway Planning, the Adoption Counselor position is responsible for many of the day-to-day operating procedures governing the adoption and placement of animals and other front office procedures. They are also responsible to assist in Lost & Found/Receiving Department duties and providing coverage as needed.

**Representative Tasks and Major Responsibilities**
In accordance with RHS’s objectives, philosophies and policies and procedures, the Adoption Counsellor position is responsible for the following:
**1. Adoptions**
- Processes adoptions and explains in detail the policies and procedures of the RHS
- Enters adoption information into the RHS database
- Maintains a pleasant and courteous manner with the prospective adopter
- Maintains a professional working relationship with our pet store partners and rescue/foster volunteers
- Responsible for adoptions both on and off-site including; meeting adoption goals, ensuring quality customer service and accurate record-keeping
- Maintains internet websites to reflect the daily availability of animals, including detailed biographies and appealing animal photographs.
- Coordinates the placement of animals at satellite locations. Prepares animals for transportation to offsite facilities in a timely and safe manner. Through regular site visits, monitors the health of the animals on an ongoing basis and ensures appropriate documentation on placement. Maintain professional and courteous relationships with retail staff at these locations.
- Provides high-quality customer service to people who visit or call RHS. Monitoring the activity on the adoption floor regularly and assisting as needed. Resolving problems and addressing any customer dissatisfaction.
- Shows animals for adoption, performs pet meets, answers phones, and greets the public coming into the shelter.
- Performs enrichment activities for animals to ensure physical and mental well-being
- Assists in assessments of animals to determine adoptability
- Performs other duties as assigned

**2. Administrative Responsibilities**
- Represents the RHS in a professional manner
- Deals with the public as a humane educator
- Answers and directs incoming calls to the appropriate personnel
- Greets the public, responds to questions, and directs the public to the appropriate

Departments
- Assists Manager of Pathway Planning as required in animal placement and/or capacity for care programming.
- As required, receipts all adoptions, saleable items and donations
- As required, ensures cash is balanced daily, maintains float for the next day's operation and secures the safe
- Other duties as assigned

**3. Lost & Found/Receiving Duties**
- Examines incoming animals to determine breed/species/age/sex/tattoo, possible health issues or signs of distress.
- Administers vaccinations and other intake treatments as required.
- Ensures all incoming and outgoing strays are entered and updated promptly and accurately.
- Strives to increase the number of strays returned to the owner.
- Ensures administration for all incoming and outgoing animals is being completed accurately and in a timely manner.
- Maintains RHS facilities and equipment.
- Works with Cremation Services to ensure timely contact is being made with pet owners concerning urn purchase and disposition.
- Receives payment for fees and services.

**3. Overall Shelter Vision and Operations**
- Supports and promotes the vision and strategic plan of RHS
- Ensures positive public relations and customer service practices
- Works with coworkers to foster an enjoyable and team environment

**Work Contacts**
This position interacts and collaborates with all levels of the organization, including entry-level staff members, peers in other departments, executive team members, representatives from external agencies, the general public and volunteers. Contact and communication is carried out through face-to-face, telephone and electronic interactions. Communication must be clear, understandable, positive, professional and respectful in all circumstances.

**Working Conditions**
- Work is performed concurrently in an office and animal shelter environment, with required attendance at offsite venues. Ability to stay standing or active during the entire shift if required. Occasional exposure to various outdoor conditions.
- Frequent driving on public streets, under a variety of traffic conditions.
- Work performed both in and out of shelter requires lifting, bending, stooping, pushing and other strenuous activities. Must be able to lift a maximum of 50 lbs.
- Interaction with children, adolescents and adults from the general public is frequent and requires respectful, empathetic and professional behaviour at all times.
- Frequent exposure to computer video terminals and