Animal Adoption Counselor

careers-slco; Salt Lake City (UT); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement options

Medical coverage

Health Savings account

Long-Term Disability

Professional development

Tuition reimbursement

Onsite clinic

Childcare

Gym access

Insurance discounts

Job summary

Salt Lake County is seeking a coordinator for the Pet Adoption and Foster Program to help potential adopters find the right companion. The role emphasizes service, teamwork, and community impact within animal welfare.

The ideal candidate has at least three years of related experience and must pass a fingerprint background check with RAP Back enrollment; shelter experience is a plus. This position supports adoptions, fosters, and data management in a collaborative setting.

Qualifications

• Three (3) years of experience in a field closely related to these duties or an equivalent combination of related education and experience.
• Must pass a fingerprint background check and enrollment in the RAP Back program.
• Preference given to those with shelter experience.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate adoptions and foster placements with adopters and foster families to identify the best fit for both parties’ needs and positive outcomes.
• Serve as the first point of contact for customer service issues related to adoptions, lost pets, licenses, fees, and related matters.
• Provide welcoming, attentive service to visitors and potential adopters entering the agency.
• Collaborate with the Adoption Team to post animals in need of adoption or foster homes on social media and other channels.
• Respond promptly to adoption and foster emails and phone calls with information, support, and updates.
• Work with databases to enter and retrieve records about animals, owners, violations, and prepare various reports.

Skills

Customer Service

Communication

Teamwork

Multitasking

Problem Solving

Animal Handling

Job description

Job Description

Salt Lake County…A career with a purpose in the community you love!

Salt Lake County invites you to explore our exciting career opportunities. We seek highly enthusiastic individuals to enrich our County with your experience and talent. If you enjoy working in a team environment that is committed to changing the lives of its community, please keep reading.

What it is like to work here:

At Salt Lake County our culture is woven into all aspects of our work and our employees’ lives, from the way we treat each other to the way we support the community. To promote and foster a fun and healthy work environment, we appreciate employees through great benefits, a healthy work life balance and room to grow and develop.

Surround yourself with:

Peers who are motivated to make a difference in the lives of those we serve. We serve Salt Lake County and envision a safe and beautiful place for all to live work and have fun. Salt Lake County is about connecting people and championing our community. Community is more than a place….its our heart and service that bring us together.

We encourage a work life balance:

Working for Salt Lake County is more than just a paycheck. A career with /Salt Lake County includes several benefits and perks. We support our employees with 12 Holidays, up to 24 vacation days, 12 sick days and one personal day every year. Some positions have a hybrid work environment giving you flexibility to manage working from home and being in office.

Additional Benefits may include:

• Retirement options for hybrid pension/401(k) or 401(k) only with a 10% contribution
• Medical coverage including a 100% county paid premium option-Dental and Vision coverage including coverage for adult designees
• Health Savings account with a county contribution up to $1200/year, Flexible Spending Account
• 100% county-paid Long-Term Disability and Short-Term Disability option
• Professional Development including professional membership fees paid
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Plus: Onsite medical clinic, childcare and gym; hospital insurance, pet insurance auto and home insurance and discounts at County facilities.

JOB SUMMARY

Coordinates the Pet Adoption and Foster Program. Helps potential adopters find the perfect companion.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Three (3) years of experience in field closely related to these duties or an equivalent combination of related education and experience.

Due to the nature of this position, the successful applicant must pass a required background check through fingerprinting and enrollment in the continuous RAP Back (Record of Arrest and Prosecution Back) program in accordance with current County Human Resources policy requirements.

Preference will be given to those that have worked in a shelter environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Facilitate adoptions and foster placements by working with potential adopters and foster families to identify the best fit for both parties’ needs ensuring positive outcomes.
• Serves as the first point of contact for customer service issues in resolving animal-related issues such as adoptions, lost pets, license renewals and sales, impounds, relinquishments, fee assessments, vaccination/sterilization, animal ordinances and similar issues.
• Provides welcoming, attentive, and supportive service to all visitors and potential adopters who come into the agency.
• Collaborates with the Adoption Team to post animals in need of adoption or foster homes on social media and other channels to reach potential adopters and foster caregivers.
• Responds promptly to adoption and foster emails and phone calls, providing information, support, and updates to current and potential adopters and fosters.
• Works with databases to enter and retrieve complex records regarding animals, owners, violations and citations, referrals and general information preparing and updating a variety of reports.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSA)

Knowledge of:

• Animal handling safety practices and common symptoms of disease
• Various animal breeds and general animal behavior
• Animal ordinances and state statues
• Customer service principles and techniques
• Modern office equipment including computers and software
• Cash handling, fund reconciliation and deposit procedures

Skills and Abilities to:

• Respond professionally in stressful situations
• Interact with clients using problem-solving approaches and exercising good judgment
• Maintain effective relationships with adopters, community members, colleagues and shelter partners
• Act independently while being part of a team
• Prioritize and perform multiple tasks in a timely manner
• Accurate computer data entry and documentation
• Work with computer, computer software, telephone and other office equipment
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Problem solving and conflict resolution

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Works in an office and animal shelter environment requiring lifting, walking, sitting, kneeling, and bending. Ability to lift, carry, push and pull loads ranging from 25 to 75 pounds required. Must be comfortable handling animals for more than four (4) hours per day. Employees are frequently exposed to loud noises, unpleasant odors, cleaning agents, pet dander, zoonotic disease and dangerous animals that may bite.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THIS POSITION

Must receive a verified negative test result on a mandatory drug test before starting in this position

May be required to work nights and weekends as needed.