Pet Resources Receptionist

Humane Society of South Mississippi

Pet Resources Receptionist

DEPARTMENT:

JOB SUMMARY: To provide high quality information, referral, resources and intake services to good samaritans and pet owners coming to Humane Society of South Pet Resource Center. Improve intake flow and decrease length of stay in the shelter through the provision of helpful, supportive, non-judgmental, proactive services that reunite lost pets with owners, give owners tools to be able to keep their pets, and partner with the people of our community in innovative ways to make life better for people and pets. Requires ability to walk large dogs, set up kennels for incoming animals, willingness to learn how to parvo test and vaccinate, and willingness to learn to clean kennels.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Greet and assist all visitors in a professional, warm, and positive manner.
• Answer phones and e-mail in a timely manner with helpful and clear information.
• Assist customers inquiring about pet surrender with empathy and compassion, not judgement, and partner with them to find the best solution for their situation.
• For every found pet brought to the shelter, think “lost”, not “stray”, and practice proactive pet recovery methods to reconnect people and lost pets.
• Serve as the point of contact for animal control officers.
• Ensure that paperwork and records are entered timely, thoroughly and accurately into the PetPoint data base.
• Maintains lost and found animal reports and continuously cross reference reports with animals housed at the facility, along with websites containing lost and found animal reporting.
• Identify pet-retention related needs in the community and research resources available.
• Develop a working knowledge of the HSSM’s procedures, guidelines, and protocols.
• Knowledge of animal regulations for city, county and state.
• Reunite lost pets with owners by tracking down, following through, and documenting all leads available.
• Maintain awareness of available cage space and work within set guidelines to ensure intake does not exceed humane capacity for care.
• Performs intake and processing of animals, including: vaccinations, heartworm testing, dewormer, behavior testing, taking pictures, etc
• Inputs processing information into PetPoint and print all necessary paperwork for animal
• Perform financial transactions, to include cash handing and processing debit and credit card transactions.
• Provide support to the HSSM’s team effort including, but not limited to: Communicate regularly with supervisors and coworkers to ensure that they are aware of any issues pertinent to their areas of responsibility.
• Post strays/lost animals on HSSM’s Pet Resources Facebook Page and respond to comments/messages in a timely and professional manner
• Maintain grant funding spreadsheets and logs
• Sets up kennels for animal control
• Parvo tests puppies upon intake
• Other duties as assigned

POSITION SPECIFICATIONS

1. Required

• Positive, optimistic outlook
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Proven ability to handle multiple tasks in a busy workplace environment
• Experienced and comfortable working with a database. Comfortable on phones, computers, with internet, and social media
• Ability to work weekends and holidays

2. Preferred

• Social services experience (professional or volunteer)
• Animal care experience

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Working independently, with minimal supervision indoors in a high noise air-conditioned/heated building, outdoors at shelter or on location for various activities Equipment use includes use of PC, printer, copy machine, fax machine, telephone, and cleaning equipment and supplies. Regular exposure to animals and their bodily fluids, cleaning chemicals, fumes, dust, bites, and scratches. Heavy lifting and/or moving up to 100 pounds with assistance. Regular upright movement, such as standing or walking.

Working in this field requires the development of self-care skills to combat compassion fatigue This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related duties required by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Shift:

• Day shift

Application Question(s):

• Why are you interested in a position in animal welfare?
• This position's schedule is may work any day of the weekfrom 8am-5pm. Are you available on weekends?

Work Location: In person