Receiving Clerk in Tacoma, Washington at Humane Society For Tacoma & Pierce County

The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County is one of Washington’s largest nonprofit animal welfare organizations, providing essential care to more than 9,000 animals in our shelter each year. As a donor-funded organization, we rely on community support to find loving homes for nearly 7,000 pets, reunite more than 1,100 lost animals with their families and assist thousands more through innovative community programs.

The Humane Society is seeking an additional Receiving Clerk to join our Animal Intake team! This role provides courteous and professional service to community members who are bringing in lost and found pets, searching for their own lost pet, or surrending animals or utilizing our end of life services. Duties also include assisting Animal Control when necessary with intake, maintaining accurate intake records for all incoming animals and performing financial transactions as necessary following agreed procedures.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & FUNCTIONS:

• Greet customers and Animal Control Officers in a friendly and welcoming manner as they enter the facility
• Answer customer inquiries and provide accurate information.
• Receive owner surrendered and stray animals from the public. Charge accurate fees and ensure relevant information and history is collected and entered in ShelterLuv and/or other programs.
• Ensure all incoming animals have a routine exam and receive intake protocol items (microchips, dewormer, vaccines etc.) as per departmental protocols and immediately advise vet department of any new arrivals and alert veterinary staff of any concerns related to illness or injury.
• Takes photo for every animal upon arrival and ensure the photo is uploaded to ShelterLuv.
• Create and print kennel cards for all incoming animals and ensure they are placed in appropriate housing in a timely manner.
• Offer alternatives to relinquishment for owner surrender inquiries.
• Direct and/or accompany owners of lost animals into the appropriate areas of the building and reference binders or other materials as relevant.
• Advice owners of lost pets of strategies to locate pets.
• Make every effort to match all information to locate an animal’s owner including checking community lost and found posts on social media.
• Handle return to owner transactions, ensuring adequate “proof of ownership” is obtained, appropriate fees are collected, and relevant licenses are issued as per established procedures.
• Handle euthanasia and cremation requests for the public with courtesy and empathy
• Ensure all customers and partners are treated in a courteous, nonjudgmental, empathetic and professional manner.
• Monitor phone lines and return calls by the next business day.
• Maintain the receiving area in a neat and orderly fashion at all times ensuring that appropriate signage, educational information, brochures etc. are kept stocked and up to date.
• Ensure all office supplies and equipment are kept stocked and in good working order alerting appropriate staff as necessary when repairs or purchases are needed.
• Maintain full knowledge of responsible pet guardianship, animal care and local ordinances to assist customers with inquiries as necessary.
• Ensure that opening and closing checklists are completed and that daily cash reconciliations are completed.
• Actively promotes The Society’s mission, services, programs and events.
• Promotes donations and giving opportunities as appropriate.
• Brings forward safety concerns and actively engages in problem solving
• Works alongside staff and volunteers cooperatively
• Adheres to policies and procedures of Tacoma Humane, as outlined in the employee handbook, safety handbook and our protocols and guidelines
• Willingly and cooperatively performs other duties related to your role, including cross training or reassignment to other departments, as assigned by proper authority, that may not be in specific job description

Essential Skills:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty well. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Available to work weekends, holiday shifts and overtime as needed
• Ability to work with all animal species
• Knowledge of best practices in animal health, care and welfare
• Strong fear free and safe animal handling skills.
• Outgoing, polite and professional manner.
• Team player, able to work in a fast-pace environment and multi-task.
• The ability to work well with a diverse public on the telephone and in person is required
• Excellent communication skills both orally and in writing
• Computer skills in a Windows environment preferred including Word, Excel, Power Point and Chameleon
• The position holder will be handling cash so must have proficient math’s skills
• Must have the ability to multi task, prioritize and handle high levels of stress
• Position requires excellent organizational skills, as well as high level of accuracy and attention to detail. Must be dependable, have proven ability to meet deadlines and follow detailed instructions without need of constant support.
• Must support the mission, programs and activities of the Society and act as an advocate for the organization.

Education/Certification:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Computer skills in a Windows environment preferred including Word, Excel, Power Point, Teams, SharePoint and Shelter Software (ShelterLuv)

Experience and Knowledge:

• Relevant animal welfare experience would be useful but is not essential but experience in a customer service environment is essential.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to constantly stand/walk
• Able to run as needed for loose animals
• Regularly lift or carry animals up to 40lbs
• Less frequently lift or carry animals up to 50lbs
• Team lift or carry animals up to 120 lbs seldom
• Frequently twist, reach, bend, push and pull
• Occasionally climb stairs or step ladders
• Kneel regularly during animal intake exams
• Sit on the floor as needed with animals
• See, hear and communicate constantly