Intake Coordinator
Reports To: Director and Assistant Director of Animal Care & Control
Department: Animal Care & Control (ACC)
The Animal Care & Control Intake Coordinator plays an important role in ensuring that every animal entering the Greater Birmingham Humane Society (GBHS) Animal Care & Control facility is received safely, compassionately, and accurately.
This position coordinates the intake and documentation of animals entering the facility, maintains accurate animal records and kennel information, assists with animal care and facility sanitation, and works closely with Animal Care & Control, medical, and other shelter staff to support the health, safety, and humane treatment of animals in our care.
The ideal candidate is organized, compassionate, detail-oriented, and comfortable working in a fast-paced animal shelter environment where priorities can change quickly.
Founded in 1883, the Greater Birmingham Humane Society is a progressive animal welfare organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming homeless, abused, neglected, and abandoned animals. As an open-admission organization, GBHS serves animals and people throughout the Greater Birmingham community while working to improve animal welfare through sheltering, adoption, veterinary care, education, outreach, and community partnerships.
The following duties are essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
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Receive and process animals entering the ACC facility in accordance with established intake procedures and applicable requirements.
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Coordinate the safe unloading and movement of incoming animals and help maintain appropriate security in intake and receiving areas.
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Create and maintain accurate animal records, including identification, photographs, kennel location, breed, sex, color, age, weight, status, and vaccination information.
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Conduct a daily animal inventory and verify that animals are properly identified and located within the shelter management system.
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Identify and correct discrepancies in animal records, kennel cards, photographs, and locations.
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Document offspring born in the facility and ensure that appropriate records and identification are created.
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Immediately report missing animals, unidentified animals, record discrepancies, or other significant concerns to the Director or Assistant Director of Animal Care & Control.
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Communicate with medical staff regarding animals requiring intake vaccinations, examinations, or other medical attention.
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Maintain current information regarding available kennel capacity and communicate intake and housing needs to the Director or Assistant Director of Animal Care & Control.
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Handle dogs, cats, and other animals safely, compassionately, and humanely.
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Provide routine animal care consistent with GBHS policies, procedures, training, and applicable animal welfare requirements.
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Observe animals for signs of illness, injury, distress, or behavioral concerns and promptly communicate concerns to the appropriate staff.
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Assist with animal movement, housing, feeding, cleaning, enrichment, and other animal care responsibilities as needed.
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Follow established safety, sanitation, disease-control, and animal-handling protocols.
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Clean and disinfect assigned kennels, intake areas, animal housing areas, hallways, and designated common areas.
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Maintain intake and animal care areas in a clean, organized, safe, and appropriately stocked condition.
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Follow established cleaning, sanitation, personal protective equipment, and disease-prevention protocols.
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Monitor supplies and communicate restocking or operational needs to the appropriate supervisor.
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Provide compassionate and professional service to members of the public, municipal partners, coworkers, and others interacting with GBHS.
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Communicate clearly and respectfully with individuals surrendering, reclaiming, or seeking information about animals.
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Demonstrate empathy and professionalism during emotionally difficult interactions.
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When appropriate, provide information and resources regarding responsible pet ownership, lost-pet resources, vaccinations, spay/neuter services, identification, and other animal welfare topics.
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Maintain positive and effective working relationships with coworkers, supervisors, medical staff, and municipal partners.
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Work collaboratively with Animal Care & Control and other GBHS departments to support shelter operations and animal welfare.
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Attend and participate in staff meetings, training, and other required organizational activities.
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Support special projects, programs, events, and initiatives consistent with GBHS's mission and operational needs.
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Follow GBHS policies, procedures, safety requirements, and standards of conduct.
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Perform other related duties as assigned.
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High school diploma or GED equivalent.
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Ability to learn and accurately use shelter management and other computer software.
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Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
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Ability to communicate effectively and professionally, both verbally and in writing.
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Ability to prioritize responsibilities and maintain accuracy in a fast-paced environment.
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Ability to provide compassionate customer service during difficult or emotional situations.
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Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
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Ability to remain calm, professional, and solution-focused during emergencies or stressful situations.
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Commitment to humane animal care and the mission and values of GBHS.
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Ability and willingness to work weekends, evenings, holidays, and other schedules as required by shelter operations.
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Previous animal shelter, veterinary, animal care, customer service, or related experience.
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Familiarity with common dog and cat breeds, colors, and identifying characteristics.
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Experience using animal shelter management software or similar database systems.
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Knowledge of animal welfare, responsible pet ownership, and community animal services.
The employee must be able to:
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Safely handle and restrain animals of varying sizes, temperaments, and species.
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Frequently stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and perform repetitive cleaning and animal-care activities.
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Move, lift, carry, or otherwise assist with animals, equipment, food, supplies, and other materials weighing up to 70 pounds, independently or with appropriate assistance or equipment when circumstances require.
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Perform cleaning and sanitation duties, including mopping, scrubbing, disinfecting, and handling animal-care equipment.
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Work for extended periods in an active animal shelter environment.
This position works primarily in an animal shelter and animal control environment and involves regular contact with dogs, cats, and other species.
Employees may encounter:
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Animals with unknown medical or behavioral histories.
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Animals that are fearful, stressed, injured, ill, or potentially aggressive.
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Animal hair, dander, feces, urine, vomit, blood, parasites, and other biological materials.
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Cleaning and disinfecting products used in animal care facilities.
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Zoonotic and other infectious diseases associated with animal care environments.
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Noise, odors, wet surfaces, and varying indoor and outdoor temperatures.
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Humane euthanasia and other emotionally difficult aspects of animal sheltering.
Employees are expected to follow all applicable safety procedures, training requirements, and use of personal protective equipment.
At GBHS, animal welfare and people are interconnected. Successful team members demonstrate compassion, accountability, professionalism, urgency, teamwork, and respect. We look for individuals who are willing to learn, communicate concerns, ask for assistance when needed, and work collaboratively to provide excellent care for animals and service to our community.
The Greater Birmingham Humane Society is an equal opportunity employer. GBHS provides equal employment opportunities to qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
