Animal Services Representative (Bilingual/Spanish)

Arlington, VA
Full Time
Community Resources
Entry Level
Summary: The Animal Services Representative is responsible for the front-desk customer service experience at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington. This position requires weekend, holiday and evening shifts. This position provides resources to community members and information regarding owner surrenders, return to owners, wildlife issues, and general questions from the public. This position may also have the opportunity to cross train and work in Shelter Operations (Adoptions, Behavior, Animal Care) working hands on with the animals. The ideal candidate enjoys working in a fast paced, busy environment, is fluent in speaking Spanish and finds working with people as enjoyable as with animals. This is a full time position with a salary range of $16.50 - $19.50 per hour.

Benefits: We offer premium medical benefits, dental and vision insurance; separate vacation and sick time accruals, annual paid holidays plus annual floating holidays; and flexible working hours for qualified positions. After 2 years of employment, employees qualify for a retirement contribution of 7%. This position also qualifies for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and the League pays a salary bonus for language ability in: Arabic, Mandarin, Sign Language, Spanish or Vietnamese. Plus, free pet adoptions, pet vaccines and more!!

Responsibilities include the following however other duties may be assigned:
  • Provide high quality customer service; work to create a positive experience for all visitors in person, by phone and through email
  • Function comfortably in a fast-paced environment
  • Provide information to community members on animal guardianship, animal care and local ordinances
  • Provide resources for community members and their pets including: low-cost clinics, pet pantry clients, rehoming options and information about our other programs
  • Provide resources off-site to community members and their pets
  • Coordinate transportation with AWLA volunteers for wildlife animals needing to go to rehab
  • Ability to dispatch animal control calls to the animal control team
  • Ability to work with all types of animals including domestic and wildlife animals
  • Ability to work closely with volunteers, wildlife rehabbers and fosters
  • Create receipts and process payments accurately, following departmental protocols
  • Maintain a clean, organized work space (this may include filing paperwork, sorting donations and light daily cleaning
  • Cross train in other shelter operation (Adoption, Behavior, and Animal Care) to learn and help when needed
Supervisory Responsibilities: None however this position will interact with, train and engage volunteers as well as participate in ongoing educational opportunities for staff, volunteers and the community

Qualifications:
  • Fluent in speaking Spanish 
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Ability to communicate in both English and Spanish is required
  • Experience in a customer/client focused professional environment
  • Ability to work effectively and cohesively with all League departments
  • Skill to successfully connect clients with League resources and effectively communicate behavioral and medical information about animals
  • Knowledge and understanding of AWLA’s policies/information for companion animals and ability to communicate those to the public
  • Ability to remain calm and composed and compassionate in sensitive and emotional situations
  • Organized, good listener and sound decision-making skills
  • Self-motivated with the ability to work independently or as part of a team in a hands-on work environment
  • Flexible schedule with the ability to work evenings, weekends, non-standard hours and overtime, as needed
  • Strong computer literacy and proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite; experience with shelter database helpful but not required
  • Ability to think analytically and problem solve, combined with a willingness to ask questions and work collaboratively
  • Desire to present a positive and professional image in representing AWLA both internally and externally
  • Ability to maintain discretion with confidential information
  • Ability to pass NSOPW background clearance
  • Have a passion for the mission and a deep commitment to the goals of the organization
Typical physical & mental demands: Requires frequent bending, reaching, stooping, kneeling, walking/standing, eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, telephone, photocopier, calculator and other equipment or machinery. Will have exposure to injured and deceased animals, disinfectant solutions, and variable indoor and outdoor temperatures. May assist in animal restraint and deal with distressed or dangerous animals, and could be subject to bites and scratches. Requires manual dexterity to keep a strong animal on leash or operating a door while holding a strong animal on leash simultaneously. May be required to lift heavy items or animals (upwards of 50 lbs) and be otherwise physically active. Requires normal range of hearing and eyesight to communicate with the public, volunteers, staff, and animals. Also requires flexibility and adaptability to work with frequent interruptions. Must be comfortable around dogs, cats, small companion animals, reptiles, amphibians and wildlife.

Vaccination requirement: Upon hire, employees will be required to receive rabies prophylaxis and tetanus vaccinations.
 
Share

Apply for this position

Required*
Apply with Indeed
We've received your resume. Click here to update it.
Attach resume or Paste resume
Attach resume as .pdf, .doc, .docx, .odt, .txt, or .rtf (limit 5MB) or Paste resume

Paste your resume here or Attach resume file

To comply with government Equal Employment Opportunity and/or Affirmative Action reporting regulations, we are requesting (but NOT requiring) that you enter this personal data. This information will not be used in connection with any employment decisions, and will be used solely as permitted by state and federal law. Your voluntary cooperation would be appreciated. Learn more.
Human Check*