Assistant Manager, Adoption And Community Programs

Job Summary 
The Assistant Manager, Adoptions & Community Programs is at the frontlines of an important part of 
our mission at PAWS Chicago: connecting homeless animals with loving homes through the support of 
dedicated volunteers. PAWS Chicago and Chicago Animal Care & Control (CACC) are joining forces to 
develop a comprehensive public-private program to offer a safety net and lifesaving resources to 
Chicago’s homeless and at-risk cats and dogs. Together, CACC and PAWS Chicago are working to not 
only address the short-term surge in homeless pets that is impacting Chicago and sweeping the nation, 
but also to forge a new model in how communities can support, care for and offer life to homeless and 
at-risk cats and dogs. 

The Assistant Manager, Adoptions & Community Programs is a position with split time between Chicago 
Animal Care and Control (2741 S. Western Ave.) and the PAWS Chicago Lincoln Park Adoption Center 
(1997. N. Clybourn). The Assistant Manager provides strategic guidance and direction to the CACC 
volunteer, with a focus on growing, retaining, stewarding, training and empowering the based of 
volunteers who help CACC pets. The Assistant Manager also approves, coordinates and completes 
adoptions at CACC while providing guidance to volunteers to increase adoptions and matchmaking for 
homeless pets. 

The ideal candidate is skilled in compassionate and crucial conversations, with the ability to work in a 
fast-paced environment. 

About CACC
As the city’s impoundment facility, Chicago Animal Care & Control’s mission is uniquely responsible for 
protecting public safety and ensuring the humane care of animals through sheltering, pet placement, 
education and animal law enforcement. 

About PAWS Chicago
As the largest comprehensive No Kill human organization in the Midwest, and one of the largest in the 
nation, PAWS Chicago’s founding mission is to build a No Kill Chicago; to end the overpopulation of 
homeless animals through prevention programs like spay/neuter; and to transform animal welfare by 
setting higher standards in the way animals are treated and developing a sustainable, solutions-based 
model. 

Duties and Responsibilities 

PAWS Chicago Lincoln Park Adoption Center 

• Set a positive tone creating a warm, welcoming and efficient environment for all PAWS staff 
• members, guests and volunteers. 
• Be responsible for the day-to-day adoptions process and customer experience, including but not limited to: overseeing adoption application review, Welcome Center experience, animal file review, adoption counseling flow and post-adoption follow-up. 
• Ensure efficient and effective use of resources and staff/volunteer time so that all needed tasks are completed while keeping customer service as the number one priority. 
• Ensure completion of daily operational tasks including but not limited to adoption reporting, website reconciliation, lobby signage accuracy and supply ordering. 
• Maintain technical proficiencies using Salesforce, Shelterluv and other web-based tools. Ensure that all adoption team technical duties are performed with a high level of accuracy and proficiency. 
• Monitor, manage and escalate customer service feedback (off-line and digital) per standard operating procedures. 
• Be responsible for responding to post-adoption questions, resolving fully in a timely manner. 

Chicago Animal Care and Control 

• Set a positive tone for an inclusive volunteer culture, recognizing and appreciating volunteer commitments. 
• Continually innovate to find opportunities to integrate volunteers further into adoption operations. 
• Provide guidance and direction for CACC’s adoption program. Be comfortable discussing complex animal behaviors and backgrounds in a vernacular that can be easily understood. 
• Understand and communicate tenets of pet ownership, animal care, and training suggestions with potential adopters. 
• Plan and promote in-building and off-site adoption events, in collaboration with CACC staff and volunteers and PAWS staff. 
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree 
• Positive & outgoing communication style 
• Passion for animals and animal welfare 
• 3 Years Customer Service Focused Management Experience 
• Excellent leadership skills and ability to motivate staff 
• Exceptionally strong communication and interpersonal skills 
• Experience with web-based CRM technology preferred 
• Strong time management skills with the ability to handle numerous responsibilities at once and work well under pressure 
• Strategic and creative thinker and planner 
• Ability to coach and provide feedback 
• Ability to multi-task and work well under pressure in a dynamic, team environment 
• Weekend and evening availability 

PAWS Chicago Values-in-Action 

• Respect: for each and every life. 
• Community: of people and organizations committed to helping homeless pets. 
• Innovation: to constantly improve best practices and seek out new ideas and strategies to save more lives. To be a Learning Center that evolves and grows. 
• Pro-activity: to solve difficult problems and to be prepared to offer emergency and crisis support. 
• Transparency: that informs the public about the fate of homeless animals. 
• Education: that raises awareness about the realities that homeless animals face in the community and across the nations, providing a forum for people to get involved in effecting change. Promotes and support reasonable pet ownership. 
• Sustainability: through financial management practices that maximize the impact and reach of our resources and endure that PAWS Chicago will always be a resource for homeless animals. 
• Compassion: towards all people and animals.