Animal Care and Adoptions Specialist - New York, NY

Hiring range: $20–$22 per hour, depending on experience, plus benefits.

Permanent location: 307 W Broadway, New York, NY 11206
Temporary location: 232 Varet Street, Brooklyn, NY 11206

About the role

Lifesaving & Care Specialists are responsible for the daily functions and growth of lifesaving programs such as adoptions, as well as providing basic animal care for animals in our program locations. Specialists act with urgency to accomplish important tasks and play a direct role in achieving Best Friends Animal Society’s no-kill mission and organizational success. Specialists may receive intensive assignments in a particular program, based on organizational needs.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate kindness and the Golden Rule in everyday actions by practicing inclusion and respect for every person and animal.
• Be a role model for authenticity, kindness, and positive influence with staff, visitors, volunteers, and animals.
• Promote and facilitate pet adoptions, providing superior customer service, new-pet-parent counseling, and post-adoption support.
• Deliver superior customer service, assist adopters, fosters, and transfer partners by gathering information to match them with appropriate animals; develop general knowledge of animals in Best Friends’ care and partner shelters’ care to best match animal and client needs.
• Work directly with and support volunteers on all aspects and protocols of lifesaving care and outcome programs, including program protocols, cleaning protocols, animal behavior and care, animal handling, transportation requirements, data entry, and communications.
• Work collaboratively with Best Friends’ team members in all areas of operations to achieve lifesaving goals; follow Best Friends policies, procedures, and task lists for daily lifesaving outcome assignments, including accurate and timely communications, work completion, data entry, and recordkeeping.
• Maintain a safe workplace, model safe work practices, adhere to organizational safety rules, and communicate unsafe practices and conditions to leadership.

Requirements

• Previous experience working with and/or volunteering with cats and dogs is required.
• Ability to work with, leash, kennel, walk, and handle cats and dogs, including those with health and/or behavior conditions/concerns; basic ability to identify and speak to medical and behavioral characteristics of dogs and cats.
• Fear Free certification is a plus.
• Bilingual or multi-lingual skills preferred but not required.
• Customer-centric, non-judgmental approach to engaging with adopters, partners, visitors, volunteers, and colleagues; familiarity and comfort with a conversational adoption process.
• Strong interpersonal skills, team-oriented, personable, professional, and able to handle sensitive and confidential situations.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with well-developed organization skills to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.
• Resourceful, get-it-done attitude; initiative to assist in any area or process; problem-solving skills; flexibility to persist until goals are achieved.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products; familiarity with shelter software/animal management software, or desire to learn.

Physical requirements

• Routinely lift 40 pounds and perform daily strenuous activity including lifting, carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, cleaning, and bending.
• Perform repetitive tasks for extended periods of time including typing, sitting, walking, arm, and hand motion.
• Work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions including extreme heat and cold.
• Exposure to dogs, cats, and other animals of all sizes, temperaments, and medical status.
• Valid driver’s license meeting Best Friends Animal Society’s driver qualification standards; ability to travel, including overnight stays, when needed.
• Daily hours and days of the week may vary according to department needs; position includes weekends, nights, and holiday work.