Adoption Specialist

Summary:
GMHS’ mission is to improve life for all pets by providing temporary shelter, compassionate care, community support, and education. We are proud to be fierce advocates for pets in our care and maintain a 96% live release rate, touching the lives of more than 6,200 pets in 2021 through temporary shelter, adoption, transfer to Highway to Home adoption-guaranteed partners, Pet Pantry, and low- and no-cost spay/neuter surgery a tour Fixin’ to Save Spay & Neuter Clinic.

We are currently hiring Adoption Specialist to join our team. This is a part-time (maximum 28 hours per week), hourly, non-exempt opportunity. We seek a candidate who is self-motivated, possesses a superb attention to detail, and is excited to work in a dynamic team environment.

The Adoption Specialist is our first line of customer service and places a high priority on customer satisfaction. Duties include facilitating movement of animals into adoptive homes, working with customers to identify the right fit for their family, and educating adopters about transitioning pets into their home. The Adoption Specialist works alongside animal care staff to learn the most they can about individual animals in our care, and works closely with our Highway to Home program to identify pets who need to be transferred to rescue partners and are not available for adoption. The Adoption Specialist will also complete intakes and support our Pet Pantry.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Providing excellent customer service and responding to phone calls, emails, and processing adoption applications in less than 24 hours
• Maintaining communications with all those involved in an animal’s care and custody to obtain information about an animal’s health, behavior, and availability
• Disclosing all known behavior and medical history for an animal to potential adopters
• Obtaining photos, with permission, of all adoptions
• Completing proper intake and outcome documentation as required by Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
• Cross-referencing Lost Reports with Found Reports
• Keep dog and cat behavior binders up to date with information and observations gained during their time spent at GMHS
• Participate in weekly meetings and speak to adoption team challenges, successes, needs, and goals

Required skills/experience: 

• Ability to read dog and cat body language
• Demonstrated commitment to customer service
• Attention to detail, well organized, with the ability to work both independently as well as with a team
• Excellent communication skills and record management
• Ability to multitask, take and follow directions, adapt and accommodate changing demands, and make appropriate prioritization decisions

Working Conditions:

• Must be comfortable handling both dogs and cats including: general handling (leash-walking, lifting and carrying), animal restraint, and placing animals in cages/carriers
• Ability to perform occasional kneeling, stooping, reaching, pulling and lifting up to about 50 lbs.
• Work may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays
• Work may include visits to or assistance at multiple locations, including, but not limited to, Gloucester County Animal Control, Fixin’ to Save Spay & Neuter Clinic, Petco, and partner shelters
• Fast-paced and changing work environment, which at times may be stressful or emotionally charged
• Exposure to dead, sick, injured, and/or dangerous animals

​Reports to: Shelter Manager
 
Classification: Part-time, non-exempt

Compensation: Hourly rate commensurate with experience, with paid time off

Please email a resume, cover letter, and completed GMHS employment application to sheltermanager@gmhumanesociety.org.

Employment Application

Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society is an equal opportunity employer.