Front Desk Receptionist

Job Title: Receptionist

Department: Front Office

Reports To: Office Supervisor

FLSA Status: Non-exempt, part-time

Overview:

Established in 1992, Animal Outreach is a well-respected organization in the community of El Dorado County. We serve over 6,000 animals per year by providing low-cost, high quality, spay/ neuter and other wellness services. We operate a feline-only shelter and adopt out over 1500 cats and kittens each year.

Summary:

The Receptionist works in all aspects of client service including greeting and assisting clients and guests, completing adoptions, scheduling appointments, handling financial transactions, and assisting throughout the shelter as needed. Individuals are expected to state and clarify Animal Outreach’s policies and procedures to the public and are expected to maintain a positive and receptive environment for those clients visiting or calling Animal Outreach.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Greet and assist all clients in a positive, warm and professional manner
• Promptly answer and respond to incoming calls, voicemails, and direct calls to the proper department or staff member
• Schedules surgical appointments and completes animal surgical records
• Provides general information to the public regarding Animal Outreach’s programs and services and other animal related matters
• Performs data entry, general filing, fills out forms, manages cash register and cash handling including daily paperwork, and other administrative type duties
• Provides information to potential adopters regarding adoptable animals. Facilitates meetings between potential adopters and the animals they are interested in
• Assists clients with and processes adoptions. Reviews adoption applications and conducts open, “conversational” adoption counseling. Completes the adoption process, ensuring that all information is current, and records are accurate
• Provides pricing quotes and inquiries into animal health history
• Aids the general public and their animals when they arrive and depart for surgical appointments
• Assists with taking adoption photos and describing personality qualities for marketing purposes
• Assists clients with lost and found animals, directing and advising them on next best steps
• Maintains the integrity of the animal database system
• Handles all types of financial transactions including sales, returns, and opening and closing duties
• Accepts monetary and non-monetary donations from the public, ensures transactions are properly recorded in Square if needed
• Responsible for the general appearance of the lobby area including sweeping, mopping, dusting, and organization on a regular basis
• Keep designated areas stocked and organized including paperwork, Animal Outreach documents and supplies. Prepare and maintain supply of adoption packets
• Provide positive interactions with volunteers in related work areas
• Interact with coworkers and volunteers in an efficient and courteous manner to ensure a cooperative team environment amongst all departments
• Participate in disaster preparedness and emergency response activities for the shelter and community as it pertains to animal related needs
• Attend and participate in departmental and shelter meetings. Attend educational opportunities as recommended/ approved
• Assist in the general maintenance and cleanliness of the buildings and grounds addressing and/ or reporting safety hazards or unsafe use of Animal Outreach equipment
• Maintain and promote a positive public image standard relevant to Animal Outreach
• Assist with special events, promote fundraising activities, and solicit support of organization overall
• This position will require being trained for assisting with duties of the shelter and clinic including animal care and medical
• Deliver all incoming mail/ packages to the appropriate staff person/ department
• Ensure proper handling and distribution of in-kind donations
• Other duties as assigned by the Office Supervisor, Operations Manager, or Executive Director

Qualifications – Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of methods and techniques used in customer service and public relations
• Knowledge of office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases
• Knowledge of occupational hazards and standard safety practices
• Ability to work well within frenetic nature of the shelter environment
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Proven organizational, time management, and planning skills required
• Ability to communicate skillfully and effectively with a culturally diverse staff, volunteers, and community in a professional, pleasant, and respectful manner at all times
• Maturity with ability to use good judgment and display a professional manner
• Must be punctual and maintain regular, predictable attendance
• Ability to understand and comply with company policies as stated in the employee manual of Animal Outreach

Education and Experience:

• Current driver’s license in the State of California
• High school graduate or equivalent
• Prior experience in customer service
• Previous experience in animal welfare, general knowledge of pet behavior and care is preferable

Physical Requirements:

• Frequent standing; walking; use of hands to handle or feel; reaching with hands and arms; and speaking and hearing.
• Occasionally sit; climb or balance; and stoop; kneel; crouch or crawl
• Occasionally lift and/ or move objects weighing up to 50 pounds alone or up to 100 pounds with the help of a fellow employee for short distances
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and peripheral vision
• Must be in general good health. Any allergic condition that would be aggravated from exposure or through contact with animals or chemicals used to sanitize facilities, vehicles, or equipment may be a disqualification

Working Conditions:

• Exposure to high noise levels
• Subject to animal bites and scratches
• Exposure to hazardous chemicals
• Exposure to parasites and infectious diseases
• Must be available and willing to work weekends, holidays, overtime, and attend mandatory training and meetings as the employer determines are necessary or desirable to meet business needs

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

Pay: From $16.50 per hour

Expected hours: No less than 40 per week

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Experience:

• Customer service: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: In person