Shelter Diversion Program Coordinator

Pawmetto Lifeline

Job Description

Shelter Diversion Program Coordinator

Pawmetto Lifeline is a private not for profit organization. We are an animal advocacy organization offering educational and medical programs for pets with a focus on pet retention. Our goal is to ensure pets are never homeless by supporting pet owners in need of our services with the hope that their pet never enters a shelter. The work environment can be incredibly stressful as we are dealing with people and animals in crisis.
Pawmetto Lifeline strives towards the goal of a no-kill community and state through adoption, pet retention, rescue partnerships and medical services. The employees are passionate and work tirelessly to help every animal in the community and believe that no pet should die simply because they are homeless.
These are the perfect qualifications for any position at Pawmetto Lifeline: energetic, strong work ethic, belief in our mission, animal rescue work and improving community outcomes are your passion and you thrive in a stressful, unpredictable, and fast paced environment. If you meet these qualifications, please review the following openings at Pawmetto Lifeline.

Shelter Diversion Program Coordinator Job Description
The Shelter Diversion Program Coordinator oversees Pawmetto Lifeline’s process for the Shelter Diversion Program. This is a program that offers community members in Lexington and Richland Counties assistance with animals they find or if they want to re-home their pet. In an effort to keep homeless pets out of the municipal shelters, Pawmetto Lifeline can provide supplies, low-cost vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, courtesy listings to market the animals on our website, and an invitation to attend Saturday adoption events.
The Shelter Diversion Program Coordinator must effectively communicate that Pawmetto Lifeline has a managed process of assessing animals by appointment, in order to provide services that will result in helping them find permanent homes. We are no longer able to take the animals into our facility, however, we provide most resources if the community members can keep them in their care or find them a foster home. This is a highly interactive position for both one on one communications in the facility, on the phone and through e-mail. A high standard customer service approach is required, and educating the public about our guidelines, process and requirements is essential. It also requires the ability to handle demanding and confrontational people in a crisis.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities Include:
· Acts as point of contact when the public visits facility with an intake request.
· Review online Shelter Diversion applications for entry into the program.
· Educates individuals on the importance of investing in this partnership and their shared responsibility to achieve the best outcome for the animal.
· Maintain excellent verbal and written skills, including clear and effective communication with others (staff, public, volunteers) that is professional, respectful, positive, and educational.
· Responsible for maintaining animal flow into the facility through coordination and regular communication with the Director of Operations.
· Understand the organization’s resources at any given time, so intake aligns with its resources (capacity, medical, spay/neuter, behavior, age) and needs.
· Responsible for animal entry into the Shelter Diversion Program by ensuring all forms and additional documentation is completed.
· Ensure that all completed paperwork is provided to appropriate staff.
· Check phone messages multiple times a day and return calls in a timely fashion.
· Check and review numerous emails received daily and answer in a timely fashion.
· Check and answer incoming text messages in a timely fashion.
· Work closely with the Community Cat Manager to ensure all feline intakes are handled effectively and immediately.
· Maintain and update the Shelter Diversion Program spreadsheet daily.
· Compile and complete data for reports at weekly managers’ meeting.
· Work in unison with the Foster Team regarding intakes requiring a foster.
· Ensure the integrity, accuracy, and completeness of incoming animal records.

Qualifications/Expectations:
· Required: Exceptional customer service
· Required: Proficient in Google Docs, Microsoft Excel, and Word.
· Required: Minimum of one year of animal sheltering experience, knowledge, and practical veterinary medical/terminology experience.
· Required: The ability to handle demanding and confrontational people in a crisis.
· Enthusiasm for the mission of Pawmetto Lifeline.
· Able to take directions professionally and follow-through on assigned tasks in a timely and efficient manner.
· Self-motivated, well organized, detail oriented, and able to effectively work independently and through verbal communication.
· Display a can-do attitude and keep all parties informed, with the end goal of the animal never entering a municipal shelter.
· Promote and maintain a positive work environment through proactive and engaged leadership.
· Must be comfortable interacting with and handling dogs and cats.
· Must be reliable with minimal unscheduled absences. As an essential position, one must be willing and able to report to work to ensure operation of essential functions, regardless of weather or other emergent conditions.

Work Environment:
· Some exposure to high noise levels and odors.
· Some exposure to outside elements and weather.
· Possible exposure to animal disease.
· Frequent standing, walking, bending, lifting, stooping, carrying, and reaching.
Physical Requirements:
· Physical ability to walk and/or stand on your feet throughout a normal workday is required.
· Physical ability to lift 50lbs occasionally.
· Allergic conditions, which would be aggravated when handling or working with animals, may be a disqualification.
Job Type: Full-time
Schedule: Tuesday – Saturday, 9:00am – 6:00pm, with a one-hour unpaid lunch
Pay Range: $18.50 -$20.00 per hour
Benefits:
· Dental insurance
· Employee assistance program
· Employee discount for their pets' medical needs
· Health insurance
· Life insurance
· Paid time off
· Retirement plan
· Vision insurance
Ability to commute/relocate:
· Columbia, SC 29212: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person at Pawmetto Lifeline, 1275 Bower Parkway, Columbia, SC 29212 (Required)