Adoptions Team Intern - Los Angeles, CA

TITLE: Adoption Team Intern

REPORTS TO: Adoption Specialist

LOCATION: NKLA Pet Adoption Center (1845 Pontius Ave, West LA, CA 90025)

PURPOSE OF POSITION: The Adoption Team Intern is responsible for assisting the Adoptions Specialist’s with facilitating meet and greets, counseling, and processing pet adoptions. The Adoptions Team Intern will learn how to provide exceptional client service and develop skills in match making adopters with their perfect pet(s). The NKLA Pet Adoption Center averages around 3,000 adoptions a year. Interns should be prepared to join a fast-paced environment and finish the internship having gained broad experience in client service, managing high volume adoptions, and nonprofit animal welfare. Part time and full-time interns may apply. This internship is offered for academic credit. You must be a participant in an accredited academic internship program. This is an unpaid internship and housing is not provided. Start date is flexible.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

 With the guidance of the adoption specialists, the intern will learn how to complete the adoption process according to Best Friends standard as well as collaborating with caregivers and management to make the best match for the animal and the interested adopter

 Stay informed of Best Friend’s ever-changing cat and dog populations and gain knowledge of their special needs in order to make appropriate matches

 Empower, educate and counsel potential adopters to utilize local shelters and rescue organizations as alternatives to further Best Friend’s mission of saving them all

 Help to manage correspondence and phone calls on a timely manner

 Contribute to suggesting ideas for social media highlights to the marketing team

 Assist with writing animal biographies

 Assist with hosting Adoption Volunteer Trainings

 Research additional resources for the public such as financial assistance and emergency vet services

QUALIFICATIONS:

 Able to understand and adhere to all safety rules in each animal area

 Must remain calm and focused in emergent and sensitive situations

 Demonstrates initiative to listen to instructions, ask questions to clarify if needed, and ensure that tasks are carried out correctly

 Positive attitude and enjoys collaborating with volunteers and staff.

 Ensure that all responsibilities are completed effectively and in a timely manner.

 Able to communicate effectively through oral and written communication.

 Customer service experience preferably in an animal care (cat/dog) related field.

 Must be able to perform in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated organized ability to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.

 Comfortable with technology, learning and using online information systems and the Internet. Knowledge of Office 365.

 Ability to advocate Best Friends approach and mission.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

 Must be able to perform full range of movement: stretching, bending, squatting, climbing, etc.

 Must be able to lift 25 lbs or more.

 Ability to effectively and intelligently interact with and handle cats and dogs.

 Ability to use a computer for extended periods of time with repetitive typing, arm and hand motion.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

To be considered for this position you must be currently enrolled in a college/university internship program.

CREDIT: College credit toward related major, minor or general electives.

START DATE: On or near the first day of the semester, negotiable.

END DATE: On or near the last day of the semester, negotiable.

HOURS PER WEEK: To be determined, dependent upon total number of hours required to complete internship. Preferably 10-15 hours per week.

 

TO APPLY: