Dog Placement Specialist
APA, Austin, TX, United States
APA! 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.
BRIEF POSITION SUMMARY/OVERVIEW: The Dog Placement Specialist assists clients in finding the dog best suited to their home. Specialists are representatives for the dogs—especially those often overlooked in the shelter environment. We use our knowledge of individual dogs, behavior training, and the rescue field to develop cutting‑edge initiatives that help connect the dogs with the right people. Our primary goal is to reduce the length of stay for all dogs (with a focus on large‑breed adult dogs). This is a full‑time, nonexempt position that reports to the Dog Placement Manager. The Specialist plays a key role in advancing APA!’s Placement Team and contributes directly to increasing the live release rate across Texas by supporting a sustainable, inclusive, and high‑impact model for shelter operations and placement coordination. The Specialist manages daily responsibilities, maintains clear priorities, and delivers high‑quality work that aligns with APA!’s values and goals. The role is hands‑on, mission‑driven, and focused on results, reliability, and teamwork. Volunteers are expected to collaborate closely and support a shared workflow. The role may involve shift flexibility, weekend hours, and responsiveness during times of high need.
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 shout‑outs.
Help set volunteers up for success by clearly explaining tasks, providing hands‑on guidance, and offering in‑the‑moment support.
Greet customers to ensure that every client has a welcoming and guided experience.
Maintain active customer service throughout the entire 8‑hour shift both in person and via communications over text and phone call.
Stay current on dogs both on site and in foster‑care – update appropriate documents.
Provide guidance to clients in selecting the right dog for their home.
Stay up to date on relevant behavioral and health information and training and introduction plans for all onsite dogs.
Be comfortable discussing complex dog behaviors with clients in a vernacular that can be easily understood.
Ensure all required paperwork for adopters and fosters is completed accurately.
Educate adopters and fosters to maximise success when bringing home their new dog; this could include lower‑level behavioral and medical needs.
Maintain an open mindset and continually think of how to remove barriers to dogs leaving the shelter.
Update compatibility scores and internal notes for all dogs when new information is available and ensure information is accurate on online profiles.
Create personalized kennel cards for all onsite dogs to aid clients in their search.
Communicate within the MM department and with other departments to ensure efficiency in assisting clients.
Respond to email inquiries from clients interested in onsite dogs or Matchmaking services in a professional and timely manner.
Ensure safe and productive interactions when introducing dogs to clients.
Conduct and attend regular hands‑on training sessions with onsite dogs.
Willingness to learn and adherence to APA’s methods of dog behavioral training, under the guidance and training of APA Behavior Team members.
Demonstrate confidence in discussing and demonstrating training and behavioral management methods to clients.
Develop, implement and maintain MM initiatives to increase the number of placements of adult large‑breed dogs into adoptive and/or foster homes.
Develop and maintain positive working relationships with volunteers to increase volunteer retention on the team.
Recruit and train new MM volunteers.
Meet with advocates and dog‑walking volunteers to discuss notes for marketing dogs.
Participate in proactive outreach to potential adopters and fosters.
Assist with daily tracking of appointments and initiatives.
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.
QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS & EXPECTATIONS:
Must be open and adaptable to new procedures and ways of working.
Must have experience working with dogs, and be able to handle large dogs safely.
Customer service experience is required.
Leadership experience or comparable is required.
Experience in dog behavior training is preferable.
Must be proficient with email, word processing, and spreadsheets.
Must be available weekends and holidays.
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.
PHYSICAL JOB REQUIREMENTS:
Must be able to be on your feet for long periods of time and work outdoors in all types of weather.
Must be able to routinely lift 40–50 pounds.
Must be able to focus in a loud and busy environment despite distractions.
Must be able to walk around the shelter as needed – uneven ground, keeping a safe distance from dogs and handlers.
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.
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.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is normally performed onsite at APA!, with exposure to environmental conditions that include working with and near animals.
Uses own transportation to travel and transport.
Occasional after‑hours or weekend work may be required to support program needs.
Rapid pace with exposure to potential hazards including animal waste, disinfectants, and high levels of noise.
When onsite, potential for animal bites and scratches and diseases that can be transmitted from animals to people.
TIME COMMITMENT:
This is a full‑time, nonexempt position with an average of 40 hours per week. Shifts are 5 days in a row from 11:00 am‑7:00 pm with one day being a Saturday or Sunday.
Shift and schedule flexibility is required, as weekly schedule is subject to change.
Able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
LOCATIONS:
APA! Main – Town Lake Animal Center 1156 West Cesar Chavez Austin, TX 78703.
May travel to offsite locations as needed.
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS: This position reports directly to Senior Animal Placement Manager, or another individual designated by APA!.
PAY: This position starts at $17.00 per hour. Eligible employees will be able to receive up to $2 per hour stipend within approximately 6 months through successful completion of internal APATec certifications (applicable to shelter operations, customer service, and medical roles).
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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BRIEF POSITION SUMMARY/OVERVIEW: The Dog Placement Specialist assists clients in finding the dog best suited to their home. Specialists are representatives for the dogs—especially those often overlooked in the shelter environment. We use our knowledge of individual dogs, behavior training, and the rescue field to develop cutting‑edge initiatives that help connect the dogs with the right people. Our primary goal is to reduce the length of stay for all dogs (with a focus on large‑breed adult dogs). This is a full‑time, nonexempt position that reports to the Dog Placement Manager. The Specialist plays a key role in advancing APA!’s Placement Team and contributes directly to increasing the live release rate across Texas by supporting a sustainable, inclusive, and high‑impact model for shelter operations and placement coordination. The Specialist manages daily responsibilities, maintains clear priorities, and delivers high‑quality work that aligns with APA!’s values and goals. The role is hands‑on, mission‑driven, and focused on results, reliability, and teamwork. Volunteers are expected to collaborate closely and support a shared workflow. The role may involve shift flexibility, weekend hours, and responsiveness during times of high need.
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 shout‑outs.
Help set volunteers up for success by clearly explaining tasks, providing hands‑on guidance, and offering in‑the‑moment support.
Greet customers to ensure that every client has a welcoming and guided experience.
Maintain active customer service throughout the entire 8‑hour shift both in person and via communications over text and phone call.
Stay current on dogs both on site and in foster‑care – update appropriate documents.
Provide guidance to clients in selecting the right dog for their home.
Stay up to date on relevant behavioral and health information and training and introduction plans for all onsite dogs.
Be comfortable discussing complex dog behaviors with clients in a vernacular that can be easily understood.
Ensure all required paperwork for adopters and fosters is completed accurately.
Educate adopters and fosters to maximise success when bringing home their new dog; this could include lower‑level behavioral and medical needs.
Maintain an open mindset and continually think of how to remove barriers to dogs leaving the shelter.
Update compatibility scores and internal notes for all dogs when new information is available and ensure information is accurate on online profiles.
Create personalized kennel cards for all onsite dogs to aid clients in their search.
Communicate within the MM department and with other departments to ensure efficiency in assisting clients.
Respond to email inquiries from clients interested in onsite dogs or Matchmaking services in a professional and timely manner.
Ensure safe and productive interactions when introducing dogs to clients.
Conduct and attend regular hands‑on training sessions with onsite dogs.
Willingness to learn and adherence to APA’s methods of dog behavioral training, under the guidance and training of APA Behavior Team members.
Demonstrate confidence in discussing and demonstrating training and behavioral management methods to clients.
Develop, implement and maintain MM initiatives to increase the number of placements of adult large‑breed dogs into adoptive and/or foster homes.
Develop and maintain positive working relationships with volunteers to increase volunteer retention on the team.
Recruit and train new MM volunteers.
Meet with advocates and dog‑walking volunteers to discuss notes for marketing dogs.
Participate in proactive outreach to potential adopters and fosters.
Assist with daily tracking of appointments and initiatives.
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.
QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS & EXPECTATIONS:
Must be open and adaptable to new procedures and ways of working.
Must have experience working with dogs, and be able to handle large dogs safely.
Customer service experience is required.
Leadership experience or comparable is required.
Experience in dog behavior training is preferable.
Must be proficient with email, word processing, and spreadsheets.
Must be available weekends and holidays.
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.
PHYSICAL JOB REQUIREMENTS:
Must be able to be on your feet for long periods of time and work outdoors in all types of weather.
Must be able to routinely lift 40–50 pounds.
Must be able to focus in a loud and busy environment despite distractions.
Must be able to walk around the shelter as needed – uneven ground, keeping a safe distance from dogs and handlers.
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.
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.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is normally performed onsite at APA!, with exposure to environmental conditions that include working with and near animals.
Uses own transportation to travel and transport.
Occasional after‑hours or weekend work may be required to support program needs.
Rapid pace with exposure to potential hazards including animal waste, disinfectants, and high levels of noise.
When onsite, potential for animal bites and scratches and diseases that can be transmitted from animals to people.
TIME COMMITMENT:
This is a full‑time, nonexempt position with an average of 40 hours per week. Shifts are 5 days in a row from 11:00 am‑7:00 pm with one day being a Saturday or Sunday.
Shift and schedule flexibility is required, as weekly schedule is subject to change.
Able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
LOCATIONS:
APA! Main – Town Lake Animal Center 1156 West Cesar Chavez Austin, TX 78703.
May travel to offsite locations as needed.
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS: This position reports directly to Senior Animal Placement Manager, or another individual designated by APA!.
PAY: This position starts at $17.00 per hour. Eligible employees will be able to receive up to $2 per hour stipend within approximately 6 months through successful completion of internal APATec certifications (applicable to shelter operations, customer service, and medical roles).
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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