Tarrytown Dog Placement Specialist
APA, Austin, TX, United States
Background
Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) is one of Austin’s most dynamic and beloved nonprofits. The organization leads the No Kill movement nationally and is considered a national thought leader in animal welfare. APA! locally rescues, treats, and adopts out 10,000 homeless dogs and cats each year, providing the safety net for Austin’s most at‑risk shelter pets, which helps Austin to be a No Kill city, while also assisting other communities in saving homeless animals. The organization is distinguished by its large volunteer workforce and the scrappiness of its grassroots and its non‑traditional, community‑based animal rescue work. The organization continues to innovate best practices to save lives and spreads its impact by offering resources and mentorship related to its renowned lifesaving model through American Pets Alive!, APA!’s national division. In 2020, American Pets Alive! began the Human Animal Support Services (HASS) – an innovative initiative aimed at rethinking the traditional model of animal sheltering. It focuses on supporting both people and pets in the community to reduce the number of animals entering shelters and improve outcomes for both. The project encourages collaboration between animal welfare organizations and community‑based services, with a goal of providing personalized, proactive support that positions animal welfare as a social service.
Summary The Tarrytown Dog Placement Specialist plays a key role in advancing the goals of APA!’s Tarrytown Dog Program, with a focus on care and placement functions. This role also participates in facilitating processes that support these functions. This position contributes directly to APA!’s mission to increase the live release rate across Texas by supporting a sustainable, inclusive, and high‑impact model for care/placement. The Tarrytown Dog Placement Specialist is responsible for managing their daily responsibilities, maintaining clear priorities, and delivering consistent, high‑quality work that aligns with APA!’s values and goals. This includes staying organized, using data or feedback to inform decisions, and following through on key tasks and responsibilities with minimal oversight. This is a hands‑on, mission‑driven role focused on results, reliability, and teamwork. APA! is a volunteer‑powered organization, so every staff member is expected to work alongside and support volunteers. The Tarrytown Dog Placement Specialist collaborates closely with volunteers to complete day‑to‑day tasks, helps create a positive and inclusive environment, and actively contributes to a culture of shared effort and mutual respect. This position may involve shift flexibility, weekend hours are required, and responsiveness during times of high need. Every individual at APA! is responsible for working in collaboration with volunteers; making sure volunteers are recruited, trained and feel impactful through their efforts at APA!. A core part of this role is creating a welcoming and empowering experience for volunteers, including assisting with onboarding, training, and volunteer engagement as part of the day‑to‑day workflow.
Essential Functions
Actively contribute to a volunteer‑powered culture by partnering with volunteers during every shift and helping create an inclusive, welcoming environment
Work alongside volunteers to complete daily tasks, ensuring the work is shared and collaborative—not siloed
Support the recruitment and onboarding process by welcoming new volunteers and helping them get oriented to the program
Help retain volunteers by offering encouragement, guidance, and feedback during shared work
Contribute to a positive culture by recognizing volunteer contributions through appreciation, gratitude, and shoutouts
Help set volunteers up for success by clearly explaining tasks, providing hands‑on guidance, and offering in‑the‑moment support
Responsible for care of the dogs which includes feeding, medicating, observing for signs of illness, exercising, training, laundry, picking up dog waste, and helping clean the facility
Manage dogs and interactions with specific behaviors and in groups
Participate in training of onsite dogs
Assist customers interested in adopting dogs or directing them towards dogs that would be a fit for their requirements (Matchmaking)
Process dog adoptions (for onsite and in foster home dogs) and placements to foster program
Communicate with different teams (foster, clinic, intake, etc) to collect necessary information to care for and adopt a dog out appropriately
Counsel adopters about dogs who have behavior consults to discuss management of known behaviors.
Create bios and behavior summaries to facilitate the process of dogs being adopted.
Use electronic data systems to find information/process adoptions
Answer questions that come through the general adoption/foster phone line.
Education of visitors who have questions about Austin Pets Alive! and our No‑Kill Mission.
Job duties may include some or all of the above, and other duties as assigned by manager
Other Functions
Must demonstrate dependability, accountability, time management, use of reasoning, and good judgment skills
Attend and participate in all required training sessions and meetings
Maintain open and consistent communication with Program Manager or designee, supervisor, and other colleagues
Partner with Volunteer Managers to learn about the volunteer programs and support volunteers interested in your department on an ongoing basis
Able to react to change productively and perform other related duties as assigned
Able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed
Able to work in a high‑volume, fast‑paced, high‑stress environment
Comfortable working autonomously when given goals and deadlines
Physical Job Requirements
Must be able to routinely lift 40-50 pounds
Must be able to work around animals (including diseased, injured, and/or potentially aggressive animals), loud noises, chlorine or other chemicals, and inclement weather
Must be able to comfortably interact with dogs of various health levels, including dogs who may carry zoonotic diseases such as ringworm, scabies, intestinal parasites, etc.
Able to be on your feet for multiple hours of the day
Must be able to visually observe people and animals from up to 150 feet away
Ability to hear normal speech at close contact and shouting up to 150 feet away with the ability to hear and discern dog vocalizations both soft and loud
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
Must be able to walk big dogs that pull and jump for multiple hours a day
Must be able to pass all required dog handling training required for this position
Must be able to focus in a loud and busy environment despite distractions
Must be able to walk around shelter as needed - uneven ground, keeping a safe distance from dogs and handlers
Will sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, stoop, bend, stretch, squat, kneel, grasp, grip, put fingers together firmly and reach above and below shoulder level, lift and/or carry up to 30 pounds and push and pull up to 50 pounds for situations of moving supplies and setting up for events; repetitively use hands to operate computers; flex the neck upward and downward; twist the neck and the waist.
If reasonable accommodations are requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship to the organization.
Required Qualifications, Skills, & Expectations
Committed to embodying APA!’s Core Values: Innovation, Respect, Drive, Resourcefulness, and Inclusion and cultural values: Humble, Hungry, Smart
Commitment to APA!'s customer experience expectations
Passion for working well with staff, volunteers, and customers—helping all individuals feel successful, appreciated, and connected to APA!’s mission
Strong commitment to volunteer engagement and support; dedicated to working well with volunteers across all roles
Comfortable working cross‑functionally and serving as a liaison between volunteers, customers, and team members
Effective written and verbal communication skills; able to interpret rules, procedures, and instructional materials
Self‑starter with strong time management; able to work independently and collaboratively
Excellent interpersonal skills; maintains a calm and professional presence in all situations
Strong attention to detail and high standards for quality
Adaptable to change and able to perform related duties as needed
Dedicated to delivering an exceptional and inclusive customer experience
Must have experience handling dogs and interacting safely with them
Must be open and adaptable to new procedures and ways of working
Ability to effectively resolve conflict
Must be available to work weekends and holidays
Spanish language skills a plus
Working Relationships This position reports directly to Tarrytown Dog manager on duty, or another individual designated by APA!.
Time Commitment
This is a full‑time, nonexempt position with an average of 40 hours per week. Consists of 4 shifts a week, with an average of about 40 hours per week, 10:00 am - 8:00 pm daily. The schedule may vary based on business needs.
Shift and schedule flexibility is required, as weekly schedule is subject to change
Able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed
Location(s)
Tarrytown Dog Adoption Center, Play Yard & Gift Shop 3118 Windsor Road Austin, TX 78703
May travel to offsite locations as needed
Benefits Austin Pets Alive! is proud to offer a competitive benefits package for full‑time employees, including subsidized employer‑sponsored medical coverage, subsidized and voluntary life insurance, voluntary dental, vision and short‑term disability options, all effective the first day of employment. We also offer voluntary wellness and emergency sick plans, up to 2% match on 401(k) retirement plan, supplemental benefits, flexible spending accounts, and additional life coverage. Full‑time employees receive 10 paid holidays and accrue 10 days paid time off during the first year of employment, with an additional 5 days of PTO accrual upon completion of 12 months of employment. Employees will also receive professional development opportunities through APA!’s ongoing mission to advance our animal welfare professionals in our life‑saving work.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT Austin Pets Alive! is an equal employment opportunity employer and we value having staff who come from communities that are most impacted by the issues we engage on. We especially encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ people, women, transgender and gender non‑conforming people, and people with disabilities to apply. Austin Pets Alive! does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Austin Pets Alive! is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, community focus, and innovation. APA! is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in the employment application process. To request an accommodation, please contact Talent Acquisition at job@austinpetsalive.org at least one week in advance of your interview.
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Summary The Tarrytown Dog Placement Specialist plays a key role in advancing the goals of APA!’s Tarrytown Dog Program, with a focus on care and placement functions. This role also participates in facilitating processes that support these functions. This position contributes directly to APA!’s mission to increase the live release rate across Texas by supporting a sustainable, inclusive, and high‑impact model for care/placement. The Tarrytown Dog Placement Specialist is responsible for managing their daily responsibilities, maintaining clear priorities, and delivering consistent, high‑quality work that aligns with APA!’s values and goals. This includes staying organized, using data or feedback to inform decisions, and following through on key tasks and responsibilities with minimal oversight. This is a hands‑on, mission‑driven role focused on results, reliability, and teamwork. APA! is a volunteer‑powered organization, so every staff member is expected to work alongside and support volunteers. The Tarrytown Dog Placement Specialist collaborates closely with volunteers to complete day‑to‑day tasks, helps create a positive and inclusive environment, and actively contributes to a culture of shared effort and mutual respect. This position may involve shift flexibility, weekend hours are required, and responsiveness during times of high need. Every individual at APA! is responsible for working in collaboration with volunteers; making sure volunteers are recruited, trained and feel impactful through their efforts at APA!. A core part of this role is creating a welcoming and empowering experience for volunteers, including assisting with onboarding, training, and volunteer engagement as part of the day‑to‑day workflow.
Essential Functions
Actively contribute to a volunteer‑powered culture by partnering with volunteers during every shift and helping create an inclusive, welcoming environment
Work alongside volunteers to complete daily tasks, ensuring the work is shared and collaborative—not siloed
Support the recruitment and onboarding process by welcoming new volunteers and helping them get oriented to the program
Help retain volunteers by offering encouragement, guidance, and feedback during shared work
Contribute to a positive culture by recognizing volunteer contributions through appreciation, gratitude, and shoutouts
Help set volunteers up for success by clearly explaining tasks, providing hands‑on guidance, and offering in‑the‑moment support
Responsible for care of the dogs which includes feeding, medicating, observing for signs of illness, exercising, training, laundry, picking up dog waste, and helping clean the facility
Manage dogs and interactions with specific behaviors and in groups
Participate in training of onsite dogs
Assist customers interested in adopting dogs or directing them towards dogs that would be a fit for their requirements (Matchmaking)
Process dog adoptions (for onsite and in foster home dogs) and placements to foster program
Communicate with different teams (foster, clinic, intake, etc) to collect necessary information to care for and adopt a dog out appropriately
Counsel adopters about dogs who have behavior consults to discuss management of known behaviors.
Create bios and behavior summaries to facilitate the process of dogs being adopted.
Use electronic data systems to find information/process adoptions
Answer questions that come through the general adoption/foster phone line.
Education of visitors who have questions about Austin Pets Alive! and our No‑Kill Mission.
Job duties may include some or all of the above, and other duties as assigned by manager
Other Functions
Must demonstrate dependability, accountability, time management, use of reasoning, and good judgment skills
Attend and participate in all required training sessions and meetings
Maintain open and consistent communication with Program Manager or designee, supervisor, and other colleagues
Partner with Volunteer Managers to learn about the volunteer programs and support volunteers interested in your department on an ongoing basis
Able to react to change productively and perform other related duties as assigned
Able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed
Able to work in a high‑volume, fast‑paced, high‑stress environment
Comfortable working autonomously when given goals and deadlines
Physical Job Requirements
Must be able to routinely lift 40-50 pounds
Must be able to work around animals (including diseased, injured, and/or potentially aggressive animals), loud noises, chlorine or other chemicals, and inclement weather
Must be able to comfortably interact with dogs of various health levels, including dogs who may carry zoonotic diseases such as ringworm, scabies, intestinal parasites, etc.
Able to be on your feet for multiple hours of the day
Must be able to visually observe people and animals from up to 150 feet away
Ability to hear normal speech at close contact and shouting up to 150 feet away with the ability to hear and discern dog vocalizations both soft and loud
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
Must be able to walk big dogs that pull and jump for multiple hours a day
Must be able to pass all required dog handling training required for this position
Must be able to focus in a loud and busy environment despite distractions
Must be able to walk around shelter as needed - uneven ground, keeping a safe distance from dogs and handlers
Will sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, stoop, bend, stretch, squat, kneel, grasp, grip, put fingers together firmly and reach above and below shoulder level, lift and/or carry up to 30 pounds and push and pull up to 50 pounds for situations of moving supplies and setting up for events; repetitively use hands to operate computers; flex the neck upward and downward; twist the neck and the waist.
If reasonable accommodations are requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship to the organization.
Required Qualifications, Skills, & Expectations
Committed to embodying APA!’s Core Values: Innovation, Respect, Drive, Resourcefulness, and Inclusion and cultural values: Humble, Hungry, Smart
Commitment to APA!'s customer experience expectations
Passion for working well with staff, volunteers, and customers—helping all individuals feel successful, appreciated, and connected to APA!’s mission
Strong commitment to volunteer engagement and support; dedicated to working well with volunteers across all roles
Comfortable working cross‑functionally and serving as a liaison between volunteers, customers, and team members
Effective written and verbal communication skills; able to interpret rules, procedures, and instructional materials
Self‑starter with strong time management; able to work independently and collaboratively
Excellent interpersonal skills; maintains a calm and professional presence in all situations
Strong attention to detail and high standards for quality
Adaptable to change and able to perform related duties as needed
Dedicated to delivering an exceptional and inclusive customer experience
Must have experience handling dogs and interacting safely with them
Must be open and adaptable to new procedures and ways of working
Ability to effectively resolve conflict
Must be available to work weekends and holidays
Spanish language skills a plus
Working Relationships This position reports directly to Tarrytown Dog manager on duty, or another individual designated by APA!.
Time Commitment
This is a full‑time, nonexempt position with an average of 40 hours per week. Consists of 4 shifts a week, with an average of about 40 hours per week, 10:00 am - 8:00 pm daily. The schedule may vary based on business needs.
Shift and schedule flexibility is required, as weekly schedule is subject to change
Able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed
Location(s)
Tarrytown Dog Adoption Center, Play Yard & Gift Shop 3118 Windsor Road Austin, TX 78703
May travel to offsite locations as needed
Benefits Austin Pets Alive! is proud to offer a competitive benefits package for full‑time employees, including subsidized employer‑sponsored medical coverage, subsidized and voluntary life insurance, voluntary dental, vision and short‑term disability options, all effective the first day of employment. We also offer voluntary wellness and emergency sick plans, up to 2% match on 401(k) retirement plan, supplemental benefits, flexible spending accounts, and additional life coverage. Full‑time employees receive 10 paid holidays and accrue 10 days paid time off during the first year of employment, with an additional 5 days of PTO accrual upon completion of 12 months of employment. Employees will also receive professional development opportunities through APA!’s ongoing mission to advance our animal welfare professionals in our life‑saving work.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT Austin Pets Alive! is an equal employment opportunity employer and we value having staff who come from communities that are most impacted by the issues we engage on. We especially encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ people, women, transgender and gender non‑conforming people, and people with disabilities to apply. Austin Pets Alive! does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Austin Pets Alive! is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, community focus, and innovation. APA! is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in the employment application process. To request an accommodation, please contact Talent Acquisition at job@austinpetsalive.org at least one week in advance of your interview.
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