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Greater Birmingham Humane Society 

Adoptions Counselor

POSITION SUMMARY
The Greater Birmingham Humane Society’s (‘the GBHS”) Adoption Counselors (“the Counselor”) are the primary point of contact with visitors to the shelter. They are responsible for cordially greeting visitors, answering the telephone, and facilitating adoptions of the GBHS animals, including processing paperwork, accurate data entry, and adopter follow up. Adoptions counselors also assist in the cost-effective, sanitary, efficient and humane operation of the shelter. The Counselor assist animal care specialists by performing work related to caring for the GBHS’ animals, restocking supplies and cleaning chemicals, maintaining accurate shelter records, and providing excellent customer service to citizens.

PRIMARY RELATIONSHIPS

The Counselor:

- reports to Shelter Operations Management and serves as a member of the adoptions team.

- works closely with the animal care team to help find the best match between potential adopters and the animals.

- interacts daily with veterinarians, veterinary assistants, veterinary student externs, volunteers, the general public, and potential adopters.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The GBHS Adoption Counselors primarily work to find forever homes for the animals in our care. Prior to opening each day, Counselors assist Animal Care Specialists with cleaning, sanitizing and setting up of all kennels.

Morning Animal Care Duties:

• Humanely handles all animals and ensures the identification of all shelter animals with appropriate tags or bands before kenneling and/or adopting.
• Provides care for the animals by cleaning their cage or kennel in a thorough and sanitary manner to prevent the spread of any infectious diseases, and by feeding each animal in accordance with their dietary requirements and posted feeding procedures.
• Develops a general knowledge of animals’ behaviors, temperaments and personality traits to assist prospective adopters in finding an animal that matches their household and family situations.
• Assists with maintaining the laundry requirements for respective areas. Ensures that all animals’ articles, bedding, dishes, and toys are washed and disinfected daily.
• Assists with daily observations of medical and behavioral issues of animals in our care by paying careful attention for signs of sickness, stress, aggressive behavior, and/or injury. Reports findings to supervisor and/or medical staff.
• Maintains records to ensure accuracy, timeliness and completeness.
• Checks and maintains supplies and equipment. Communicates inventory and supply needs as well as maintenance issues to supervisor. Stocks needed supplies in respective areas.
• Assists clinical staff in the medication and medical treatment of animals as prescribed by the veterinarian if requested.
• Maintains a high level of communication with all GBHS staff and Volunteers
• Assists in the training of adoptions volunteers. Coordinates duties with volunteer groups and community service workers in a professional and customer service manner.
• May move animals from animal holding kennels and/or transport vans to adoption kennels and vice versa.

Adoption Duties

• Works collaboratively with staff to determine if animals are appropriate for adoption.
• Greets all visitors to the GBHS with enthusiasm, a professional demeanor and an offer to provide assistance or answer questions.
• Works with prospective adopters to complete the application. When a visitor expresses an interest in seeing animals, the adoption specialist facilitates the meeting between prospective adopter and animal(s) and assists in the decision-making process.
• Once an adoption has occurred, ensures that all paperwork is accurately completed, that materials in the adopter packet are reviewed with adopter(s) and that information is entered accurately and in a timely fashion in the data base.
• Within one week of the conclusion of an adoption, may be requested to follow up with adopters to answer questions and check on the transition of the adopted animal into his/her new home.
• Assists in preparing kennel cards and profiles for use on the GBHS’ website.
• Assists in conducting off-site adoption and promotional events, as requested by the Shelter Manager and/or the Chief Program Officer.
• Assists in compiling statistics on number of visitors, length of stay and other reports, as requested by the Shelter Manager.
• Other adoption-related duties as requested by the Shelter Manager.
• Represents the GBHS in a professional manner in all situations.
• Shall perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS 

• A passion for the mission of GBHS and a sense of humor are required.
• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Ability to perform physical work involving standing for long periods, carrying animal crates, bending, scrubbing, mopping, walking quickly, reaching, squatting, and lifting up to 75 pounds with reasonable accommodation.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• A positive attitude and ability to get along with others.
• Knowledge of animal handling and communication preferred.
• Experience working in a kennel environment preferred.

WORK CONDITIONS

This work is performed in a high noise level area. Exposure to industrial cleaning chemicals, fumes, dust, animal feces, zoonotic (human to animal) diseases, bites and scratches. Weekend shifts may be required. Safety procedures must be adhered to at all times.

GBHS is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of GBHS to provide EEO to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.