Adoptions Associate

Adoptions Associate

Department:
Shelter
Classification:
Full time or Part time, hourly, non‑exempt
Job Relationship:
Reports to Adoptions & Retail Supervisor. Works closely with Animal Care Department and Volunteers.

Position Summary:

Responsible for providing quality customer service and ensuring good placement for our shelter animals.

Base pay range: $17.00/hr – $17.00/hr. (Actual pay based on skills and experience.)

• Represents the APL in a professional and courteous manner at all times. Provides quality service to customers, volunteers, and staff recognizing their individual contributions to the success of our organization.
• Provides prompt in‑person and telephone customer service.
• Actively solicits donations from clients, assists with accepting in‑kind donations.
• Generates revenue in retail sales through suggestive selling prior to completing transactions.
• Actively promotes and markets APL animals and matches them to appropriate families.
• Educates clients on responsible animal guardianship and animal care.
• Conducts adoptions, provides adoption counselling/animal selection assistance, enters computer data, completes necessary paperwork and performs follow‑up services.
• Assists clients seeking lost or adoptable animals.
• Actively promotes the APL programmes and events to clients, volunteers, and staff.
• Participates on committees and special projects as assigned.
• Keeps service desk areas orderly, stocked and cleaned following disinfection protocol.
• Assists in the training of new staff/volunteers as assigned.
• Promotes communication and cooperation between APL departments.
• Keeps up to date on organisational communications by attending All Staff Meetings or reading the News Hound.

• Keeps Supervisor and Animal Care Department informed of animal behaviour, health or concerns.
• Maintains accurate kennel and computer records.
• Performs Closing Supervisor duties as assigned.
• Performs daily cleaning of public areas.
• Stocks areas and spot‑cleans kennels and public areas throughout the day.
• Informs supervisor of special needs cases for potential public relations or direct mail pieces.
• Follows all safety guidelines to ensure a safe work environment. Takes immediate action to address any safety concern or noncompliance of safety rules that could put an employee, volunteer, client, animal or the organisation at risk.
• Performs euthanasia as assigned.
• Ensures animals are treated with a Fear Free approach in the shelter, at off‑site events and as they transition into their new homes.

Performed as required by supervisor.

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Associates degree in business, communications, retail or related field desirable.
• Internal applicants currently in good standing.
• Must possess an Ohio driver’s licence with an insurable driving record.

• Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment with a variety of people.
• Ability to use a computer in a Windows environment.
• Ability to read and understand instructions.
• Knowledge of animal breed, behaviour and handling.
• Knowledge of animal health, ability to identify illness helpful.
• Ability to prioritise and perform duties efficiently and effectively with an adequate amount of independence.
• Euthanasia certified or ability to become euthanasia certified within six months of employment; willing to perform euthanasia.
• Committed to maintaining the Cleveland Animal Protective League’s high standard of animal care and mission to foster compassion and end animal suffering.
• Fear Free certified or must become certified within six months of hire.
• Supports the APL’s desire to celebrate a diverse and inclusive culture that fuels the compassion that connects us to one another.

Work is performed constantly in an animal shelter that operates seven days per week with exposure to animals, including some with questionable health and temperament concerns, high noise levels, zoonotic diseases and cleaning agents. Subject to animal bites and scratches. The person in this position needs to be able to stand for up to ten hours per day and regularly operate a computer,…