Volunteer Adoption Counselor (HIGHEST NEED)

Volunteers in this position will directly support our community, staff, and animals by performing animal adoptions from start to finish. 

 

Skills Needed 

Volunteers must understand and be on board with our client-centered philosophy and approach; this includes approaching clients and situations without judgment. Volunteers must be committed to providing a welcoming environment for all visitors be capable of reading people and appropriately respond to both verbal and non-verbal communication to ensure a comfortable client experience for all. Volunteers must be enthusiastic, outgoing, and detail-oriented. Volunteers must have the ability to follow directions, read, write, and effectively communicate with staff, volunteers, and clients. The physical demands of this job include the following: standing, walking, bending, stooping, writing, lifting, grasping, reading, talking, and hearing. It is also imperative that volunteers are computer savvy, as they will be using our computers, database systems, copier, and retail POS system. Volunteers in this role need to enjoy working with people and be able to engage in conversation with clients, be comfortable handling animals and reading animal body language, be computer savvy, and have good time management skills while feeling comfortable working in a busy environment.  Volunteers also need to be open-minded and have compassion for wanting to help people find their furry companions.  During training, staff and volunteer trainers will coach the new volunteers and provide feedback on their skills to make sure this position is the right fit for them. Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.

 

Objective 

Assist potential adopters at the Wisconsin Humane Society and provide support to our Operations Staff.

 

Duties 

  • Work one-on-one with potential adopters to adopt an animal by sharing information about our adoptable animals and providing supportive resources to make their adoption as successful as possible.
  • Answer client questions and provide support to clients as needed.
  • Comfortable navigating different computer programs.
  • Ring up clients for their adoption fee and items in the retail store, Animal Antics as needed.
  • Connect with Supervisors and staff as necessary for guidance on how to navigate and work through more challenging conversations and/or share pertinent information with clients.

 

Training Requirements
  • Meet & Greet – Meet with the Volunteer Coordinator.
  • One-on-One Training – With a veteran VAC trainer or CSR staff trainer.
  • Training Commitment – Approximately 35–40 total hours.
  • Online Training Modules
    • People-Centered Philosophy
    • RAC Volunteer Handbook & Waivers
    • Animal Training (online)
  • Hands-On Training – Animal handling with Behavior Staff.

 

Commitment/Age Requirement

Minimum of a 6 month commitment required.

Must be 16 years old or older.

 

Shifts:

Typical shifts are during our open adoption hours. For more information on open adoption hours, please visit: https://www.wihumane.org/contact/racine-campus.

 

Current need shifts:

Mondays 3-5pm

Tuesdays 4-6pm

Thursdays 4-6pm

Fridays 1-3pm, 3-5pm, & 4-6pm (Very high need day)

Saturdays 11:30am-1:30pm, 1-3pm. 3-5pm, &  3:30pm-5:30pm (Highest need day)