Dog Placement Specialist

• A primary responsibility of this role is to leverage volunteers to ensure that adoption goals are met.
• Greet customers to ensure that every client has a welcoming and guided experience.
• Maintain active customer service throughout the entire 8hour shift both in person and via communications over text and phone call
• Stays current on dogs both on site and in foster update appropriate documents
• Provide guidance to clients in selecting the right dog for their home
• Stay up to date on relevant behavioral and health information and training and introduction plans for all onsite dogs
• Be comfortable discussing complex dog behaviors with clients in a vernacular that can be easily understood
• Ensure all required paperwork for adopters and fosters is completed accurately
• Educates adopters and fosters in order to be as successful as possible bringing home their new dog; this could include lower level behavioral and medical needs also
• Maintain an open mindset and continually think of how to remove barriers to dogs leaving the shelter
• Update compatibility scores and internal notes for all dogs when new information is available and ensure information is accurate on online profiles
• Create personalized kennel cards for all onsite dogs to aid clients in their search
• Communicate within the MM department and with other departments to ensure efficiency in assisting clients
• Respond to email inquiries from clients interested in onsite dogs or Matchmaking services in a professional and timely manner
• Ensure safe and productive interactions when introducing dogs to clients.
• Conduct and attend regular handson training sessions with onsite dogs
• Willingness to learn and adherence to APAs methods of dog behavioral training under the guidance and training of APA Behavior Team members
• Demonstrate confidence in discussing and demonstrating training and behavioral management methods to clients
• Develop implement and maintain MM initiatives to increase the number of placements of adult large breed dogs into adoptive and/or foster homes
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with volunteers to increase volunteer retention on the team
• Recruit and train new MM volunteers
• Meet with advocates and dogwalking volunteers to discuss notes for marketing dogs
• Participate in proactive outreach to potential adopters and fosters
• Assist with daily tracking of appointments and initiatives

• Attend and participate in all required training sessions and meetings
• Maintain open and consistent communication with Program Manager or designee supervisor and other colleagues
• Able to demonstrate time management to complete job responsibilities
• Able to react to change productively and perform other related duties as assigned
• Able to work evenings weekends and holidays as needed
• Able to work in a high volume fastpaced highstress environment

• Must be open and adaptable to new procedures and ways of working
• Must have experience working with dogs and be able to handle large dogs safely
• Customer service experience is required
• Experience in dog behavior training is preferable
• Must be proficient with email word processing and spreadsheets
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills necessary
• Must be available weekends and holidays
• Must embody APA!s Core Values of Innovation Respect Drive Resourcefulness and Inclusion
• Commitment to APA!s customer experience expectations
• Willing and committed to working well with volunteers and staff in all roles
• Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred

• Must be able to routinely lift 4050 pounds
• Must be able to work around animals (including diseased injured and/or potentially aggressive animals) loud noises chlorine or other chemicals and inclement weather
• Must be able to comfortably interact with cats/dogs of various health levels including cats who may carry zoonotic diseases such as ringworm scabies intestinal parasites etc.
• Must be able to walk big dogs that pull and jump
• Must be able to visually observe people and animals from up to 150 feet away
• Ability to hear normal speech at close contact and shouting up to 150 feet away with the ability to hear and discern dog vocalizations both soft and loud
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to be on your feet for long periods of time
• Must be able to pass all required dog handling training required for this position
• Must be able to focus in a loud and busy environment despite distractions
• Must be able to walk around shelter as needed uneven ground keeping a safe distance from dogs and handlers
• If reasonable accommodations are requested reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job absent undue hardship to the organization.

• Standard office environment with exposure to environmental conditions that include working with and near animals
• Uses own transportation to travel and transport
• Occasional afterhours or weekend work may be required to support program needs
• Both indoors and outdoors work is required.
• Exposure to unpleasant odors and noises.
• Exposure to bites scratches and animal waste
• Possible exposure to contagious diseases that can be transmitted from animals to people
• Rapid pace with exposure to potential hazards including animal waste disinfectants and high levels of noise

• This is a fulltime nonexempt position with an average of 40 hours per week.
• Shift and schedule flexibility is required as weekly schedule is subject to change
• Able to work evenings weekends and holidays as needed

• APA! Main Town Lake Animal Center 1156 West Cesar Chavez Austin TX 78703
• May travel to offsite locations as needed

Required Experience:

Unclear Seniority