Community Support Counselor
Asheville Humane Society, Asheville, NC, United States
Position Summary
The Community Support Counselor supports Asheville Humane Society’s community-based sheltering model by combining responsibilities of Community Sheltering and Owner Support. This role partners with the public to reunite lost and found pets with their families, connects owners to resources that keep pets in their homes, and provides guidance to those facing challenges with their pets. The counselor also serves as the point of contact for Owner Support requests on a rotating monthly schedule, offering counseling and resources to help pet owners safely keep or rehome their pets.
Schedule
The position is located at the Buncombe County Animal Shelter/Community Sheltering Center, with remote flexibility during assigned Owner Support months. Work hours are Monday–Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Compensation & Benefits
The salary is $18.00 per hour. Full‑time employees receive medical, dental, and vision insurance, a Simple IRA plan with up to a 3% company match, 18 days of paid time off in the first year, paid holidays, pet prescription discounts, and more. Benefits are available after 60 days of employment.
Key Responsibilities
Community Sheltering Center (CSC)
Provide support and information for owners in rehoming or surrendering their pets.
Assist finders of stray pets to reunite them with owners, aiming for shelter intake as a last resort.
Complete all Lost & Found procedures, including microchip scanning, identification checks, and report cross-referencing.
Offer post‑microchipping education, registration, and transfer of ownership.
Maintain an accurate appointment schedule and detailed records of client interactions.
Counsel clients on common pet‑care and behavior issues.
Ensure the Community Sheltering Center is sanitized, presentable, and properly stocked with supplies.
Assist in soliciting donations from shelter patrons.
Owner Support (monthly rotation)
Respond to Owner Support submissions via voicemails from Shelterluv, 3CX, and the public.
Provide case management and counseling for owners considering surrender, using a risk‑factor rubric to assess needs.
Offer supportive resources: medical assistance, spay
euter, rehoming, temporary sheltering, community cat counseling, preventative care education, vaccine information, food, equipment, behavior assistance, and transportation.
Collect thorough and unbiased behavioral and medical pet histories to inform shelter intake and placement.
Collaborate with shelter admissions, behavior, and placement teams for accurate case information.
Provide empathetic support for clients experiencing crises such as housing instability, domestic violence, or financial insecurity.
Use data and case notes to inform service delivery.
Other Duties
Monitor and respond to phone calls, emails, and voicemails promptly.
Attend regular Community Solutions staff meetings.
Maintain knowledge of available community resources and AHS programs.
Build strong professional relationships with staff, volunteers, and partners.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements
High School Diploma or GED equivalent required.
Minimum two years of experience in animal welfare, service industry, customer service, or a related field preferred.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and sheltering platforms required.
Strong interpersonal, organizational, written, and communication skills.
Ability to maintain composure and professionalism during stressful situations.
Strong animal handling skills; knowledge of pet behavior and medical issues preferred.
Experience with case management, counseling, or crisis management preferred.
Experience working with diverse and underserved communities strongly preferred.
Bilingual (Spanish/English) strongly preferred and considered as part of pay range.
This position requires standing for long periods and sufficient manual dexterity to use animal handling equipment. It requires the ability to stoop, bend, reach, and lift items weighing at least 50 pounds to a height of 4 feet, and the ability to handle dogs up to 150 pounds. It also requires the ability to work with moderate noise in a confined area and to sit at a computer for extended periods.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The Community Support Counselor supports Asheville Humane Society’s community-based sheltering model by combining responsibilities of Community Sheltering and Owner Support. This role partners with the public to reunite lost and found pets with their families, connects owners to resources that keep pets in their homes, and provides guidance to those facing challenges with their pets. The counselor also serves as the point of contact for Owner Support requests on a rotating monthly schedule, offering counseling and resources to help pet owners safely keep or rehome their pets.
Schedule
The position is located at the Buncombe County Animal Shelter/Community Sheltering Center, with remote flexibility during assigned Owner Support months. Work hours are Monday–Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Compensation & Benefits
The salary is $18.00 per hour. Full‑time employees receive medical, dental, and vision insurance, a Simple IRA plan with up to a 3% company match, 18 days of paid time off in the first year, paid holidays, pet prescription discounts, and more. Benefits are available after 60 days of employment.
Key Responsibilities
Community Sheltering Center (CSC)
Provide support and information for owners in rehoming or surrendering their pets.
Assist finders of stray pets to reunite them with owners, aiming for shelter intake as a last resort.
Complete all Lost & Found procedures, including microchip scanning, identification checks, and report cross-referencing.
Offer post‑microchipping education, registration, and transfer of ownership.
Maintain an accurate appointment schedule and detailed records of client interactions.
Counsel clients on common pet‑care and behavior issues.
Ensure the Community Sheltering Center is sanitized, presentable, and properly stocked with supplies.
Assist in soliciting donations from shelter patrons.
Owner Support (monthly rotation)
Respond to Owner Support submissions via voicemails from Shelterluv, 3CX, and the public.
Provide case management and counseling for owners considering surrender, using a risk‑factor rubric to assess needs.
Offer supportive resources: medical assistance, spay
euter, rehoming, temporary sheltering, community cat counseling, preventative care education, vaccine information, food, equipment, behavior assistance, and transportation.
Collect thorough and unbiased behavioral and medical pet histories to inform shelter intake and placement.
Collaborate with shelter admissions, behavior, and placement teams for accurate case information.
Provide empathetic support for clients experiencing crises such as housing instability, domestic violence, or financial insecurity.
Use data and case notes to inform service delivery.
Other Duties
Monitor and respond to phone calls, emails, and voicemails promptly.
Attend regular Community Solutions staff meetings.
Maintain knowledge of available community resources and AHS programs.
Build strong professional relationships with staff, volunteers, and partners.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements
High School Diploma or GED equivalent required.
Minimum two years of experience in animal welfare, service industry, customer service, or a related field preferred.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and sheltering platforms required.
Strong interpersonal, organizational, written, and communication skills.
Ability to maintain composure and professionalism during stressful situations.
Strong animal handling skills; knowledge of pet behavior and medical issues preferred.
Experience with case management, counseling, or crisis management preferred.
Experience working with diverse and underserved communities strongly preferred.
Bilingual (Spanish/English) strongly preferred and considered as part of pay range.
This position requires standing for long periods and sufficient manual dexterity to use animal handling equipment. It requires the ability to stoop, bend, reach, and lift items weighing at least 50 pounds to a height of 4 feet, and the ability to handle dogs up to 150 pounds. It also requires the ability to work with moderate noise in a confined area and to sit at a computer for extended periods.
#J-18808-Ljbffr