Animal Scientist jobs in Elyria, OH

Job Title: Adoptions Supervisor

Reports To: Communications & PR Manager

Directly Supervises: Front Desk Employees

Purpose of Position: The Adoptions Supervisor is responsible for the front desk at Friendship Animal Protective League, developing and implementing policies and procedures related to adoptions, cash receipts, phone queries and customer service. Other duties include cleaning of cages/kennels, assisting with daily animal care, answering phone calls, assisting with adoptions, interacting with the public, processing sales transactions and performing data entry.

Qualifications:

• Associate’s Degree or higher and/or two years of relevant experience
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational and motivational skills and a commitment to helping others reach their full potential, as well as the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple tasks at once
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule including some nights and weekends
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and a genuine desire to model and facilitate productive communication in the workplace
• Must possess database management skills and ability to use Microsoft Office (Knowledge of PetPoint a plus)
• Must possess an Ohio driver’s license with an insurable driving record
• Experience working with animals or in animal welfare a plus

Responsibilities:

• Trains, supervises and coaches front desk employees
• Provide regular, ongoing feedback and input for annual employee evaluations
• Maintain adoption shelter records
• In partnership with the Communications & PR Manager, enforces all policies and protocols to ensure appropriate adoptions and excellent customer service.
• Leads staff discussions regarding PetPoint paperwork and front desk procedures.
• Conducts formal meetings with staff to review procedures, discuss workplace issues, and share ideas to improve animal care, customer service and the organization in general.
• Meets with the Communications & PR Manager to develop long-range programs and regularly review and develop procedures.
• Carries out other duties as assigned

Customer Service:

• Represents the APL in a professional and courteous manner at all times. Provide high quality customer service to customers who visit or call Friendship APL.
• Actively reaches out to and interacts with the general public, specifically talking with prospective adopters in order to make the best possible match.
• Conducts adoptions, provides adoption counseling/animal selection assistance, educates customers about animal care & behavior, reviews adoption applications, interviews applicants in a conversational way, decides to finalize or deny an adoption, enter computer data, completes necessary paperwork and performs follow-up services.
• Work with volunteers to increase adoptions.
• Photograph adoptions and keep record of positive adoption stories.
• Advise people who are having a problem with their pet and/or who want to surrender their pet to Friendship APL. This may occur in person, over the phone or via e-mail.
• Assist clients seeking lost or adoptable animals.
• Willingness and ability to learn Petpoint computer program used to track animals at FAPL.
• Willingness and ability to learn about cat and dog behavior, common issues, and ways to address them in order to make good adoption matches.

Care of Shelter Animals:

• Cleaning of cages/kennels, assisting with daily animal care, including spot cleaning of animal and public areas throughout the day.
• Treating all animals humanely, properly, and with compassion at all times, regardless of the situation or circumstance and promoting a humane and caring attitude toward all animals.
• Keeps Supervisors and Animal Care Department informed of behavior or health concerns
• Maintains accurate kennel and computer records.
• 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 organization at risk.
• Working courteously and cooperatively with other staff members.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Specific Job Skills:

• Strong interpersonal skills. The ideal person for this job would be personable, outgoing, patient, professional, and able to get along well with a variety of people.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills.
• Affection for animals, concern for their welfare, and a willingness to accommodate animals in the workplace.
• Αbility and initiative, working with minimal supervision and direction.
• Maturity, good judgment and a professional personal appearance.
• Ability to read, write and understand English.
• Flexibility, ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Ability to remain pleasant and calm even in stressful situations.
• Ability to ask appropriate questions to gather information along with the ability to feel and show empathy for others.
• Ability to turn people down, firmly if necessary, without becoming aggressive or unpleasant.
• Familiarity with animals, knowledge of animal behavior, breeds, and handling or experience volunteering or working with a rescue group, humane society, foster care involvement or other animal welfare agency are a plus.
• Comfort and ability to work with animals of unknown disposition and those who may exhibit medical and other problems, as well as aggressive tendencies.

Physical Requirements:

• Physical ability to walk and/or stand on your feet throughout a normal workday required.
• Physical ability to engage in repetitive motions of legs, arms, and hands, to hear, to see, to move animals and goods.
• Allergic conditions, which would be aggravated when handling or working with animals, may be a disqualification.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $16.00 - $18.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Every weekend

Education:

• Associate (Preferred)

Work Location: In person