Senior Animal Services Counselor

County of Riverside; San Jacinto (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Riverside County Department of Animal Services seeks a Senior Animal Services Counselor for the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus. The role leads adoptions, enrichment, and rescue placements, with outreach to promote programs and partnerships with rescue groups.

Travel to other shelter locations may be required to support departmental operations. The successful candidate will coordinate with staff, volunteers, and the public, providing education on animal laws, humane handling, and community

Qualifications

• One year performing animal services in a public or non-profit animal welfare program.
• Two years of paid experience in an animal services field which included customer service and care of animals.
• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License.

Responsibilities

• Lead guidance and support to ensure positive animal outcomes, including adoptions, enrichment, and rescue placements.
• Conduct outreach to promote adoption initiatives and coordinate with rescue partners.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with animal rescue organizations to facilitate appropriate placement of animals.
• Participate in off-site events, animal transportation, and response to animal-related emergencies.
• Provide education on animal laws and ordinances to staff and the public, and train volunteers and staff on proper handling and care.
• Prepare reports and presentations on program activities and assist with maintenance of equipment and vehicles.

Skills

Leadership

Community outreach

Staff training

Partner coordination

Tools

Chameleon software

Job description

The County of Riverside Department of Animal Services is seeking to fill a Senior Animal Services Counselor vacancy at the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus.

Travel to other shelter locations depending on operational and departmental needs may be required.

This posting may be used to fill future vacancies.

The Senior Animal Services Counselor will serve in a lead-level capacity, providing guidance and support to ensure positive animal outcomes, including adoptions, enrichment, and rescue placements. This position is responsible for conducting outreach to promote adoption initiatives, coordinating with rescue partners, and developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with animal rescue organizations to facilitate appropriate placement of animals. The role also involves participation in off-site events, animal transportation, and response to animal-related emergency incidents.

The most competitive candidates will have experience working with staff, volunteers, and the public to provide education on animal laws and ordinances, regulations, legal rights, and proper animal handling and care. Candidates will also possess experience in community outreach, developing partnerships with rescues and other agencies, and coordinating the intake and placement of animals. They should be able to utilize proper techniques and procedures for the safe and humane handling of animals; adhere to laws and ordinances governing the licensing and treatment of animals; demonstrate knowledge of animal behavior and common domestic breeds; and understand appropriate practices for the care and feeding of animals. Additional qualifications include knowledge of symptoms of common animal diseases, experience with Chameleon software, and lead-level experience.

Meet the Team!

The Riverside County Department of Animal Services believes the character of their organization is best reflected in the strong dedication of each one of their employees who strive to meet the highest standards of performance and compassion on behalf of the animals and people that they serve. The Department of Animal Services operates four shelters located in Blythe, Jurupa Valley, San Jacinto and Thousand Palms.

• Advise public of legal rights and interpret appropriate laws, regulations and policy as they relate to the intake, adoption, pet support for clients, or transfer of animals to adoption partners; tactfully handle complaints and remedy the problem by offering services and making recommendations, as necessary.
• Work cooperatively with other department programs when joint action is required.
• Pick up and transport sick, injured or dead animals for foster families or from adoption outreach activities; plan, schedule, set up, and assist with community events or adoption outreach activities.
• Conduct training sessions for program and other staff or volunteers on the proper handling, evaluation, intake process, adoption of shelter animals, and improving animal outcomes.
• Prepare reports on the progress of trainees; make presentations at schools and to community groups.
• Complete forms and prepare reports on program activities; assist with the maintenance of equipment and vehicles used in program activities; may be assigned to any shift and required to be available on standby or on-call basis.

OPTION I

Experience: One year performing animal services in a public or non‑profit animal welfare program.

OPTION II

Experience: Two years of paid experience in an animal services field such as a veterinary office, animal grooming, animal board and kennel facility, or similar setting which included serving in a customer service capacity and involvement in the care of animals.

License/Certificate

Possession of a valid California Driver’s License is required. The selected candidate must be able to travel and drive to various shelter locations, outreach sites, and community event locations as needed to support departmental operations.

Physical Exposures

Exposure to animals which may include animal noise, excrement, smells, and dander.

Physical Requirements

The responsibilities require setting up Easy‑Ups, tables, and chairs for outreach and community events. In addition, individuals may be required to carry animals, dog food, crates, and other supplies for events with or without reasonable accommodations.

Knowledge Of

Laws, ordinances and regulations related to shelter animals; the characteristics and behavior, care and feeding of animals; common animal diseases; the causes, symptoms and required procedures for rabies; the equipment and methods used in the capture and restraint of animals.

Ability To

Investigate situations, gather relevant information, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; work independently on special assignments; schedule, assign, train, and review the work of other personnel engaged in animal services activities; work cooperatively with the public, adoption partners and other animal agencies; read, comprehend and interpret laws and regulations pertaining to animal intake and outcomes; oversee the management of difficult to place animals; function in stressful situations, exercising good judgment; care for and safely handle animals so as to avoid injury to persons and animals; operate a variety of basic Information Technology office desktop appliances, programs, systems, and applications (e.g., PCs, Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, etc.).