York County SPCA Adoptions Counselor (Full Time)

Job Description

Job Description

Salary : $17

Adoption Counselor Full Time

Location : York, PA

Weekly Schedule : 40 hours / week, Monday - Thursday, and Sunday.

Daily Schedule : Alternates between 9am - 5 : 30pm and 8am - 4 : 30pm.

Make a lasting impacthelp pets find their perfect match and guide adopters through life-changing moments.

About Us

The York County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (YCSPCA) is a nonprofit animal welfare organization committed to reducing animal homelessness and cruelty through adoption, education, outreach, and enforcement. We strive to create meaningful connections between pets and people, guided by our core values : Compassion, Integrity, Resilience, Collaboration, Lifesaving, and Excellence.

Position Summary

Adoption Counselors play a vital role in ensuring animals find permanent, loving homes. They work directly with the public to facilitate adoptions, provide guidance and education, and promote the well-being of animals in our care. Using a conversational approach rooted in the Adopters Welcome philosophy, Adoption Counselors help people make informed, responsible decisionsbuilding lasting human-animal bonds.

This position requires strong communication skills, a passion for animal welfare, and the ability to navigate emotional or challenging conversations with empathy and professionalism.

Key Responsibilities

Adoption Counseling & Matchmaking

Conduct open, supportive conversations with potential adopters to assess fit and make successful matches

Guide adopters through shelter visits, adoption meets, dog introductions, scheduled appointments, and walk-in meetings

Provide accurate information on animal behavior, health history, and long-term needs

Educate the public on topics such as training, acclimation, safety, licensing, and responsible ownership

Promote and prioritize long-term shelter residents for placement

Maintain a friendly, professional, and welcoming demeanor with the public

Animal Knowledge & Collaboration

Stay informed about adoptable animals and collaboration with the shelter team

Maintain up-to-date knowledge of each animals medical, behavioral, and personality profile

Support animal behavior evaluations and enrichment efforts

Participate in playgroups and assist with training plans as needed

Operations & Administration

Complete all adoption paperwork, payments, and system entries accurately

Meet adoption goals and support healthy population flow

Maintain records in shelter software (Shelterluv)

Monitor cleanliness of public adoption areas and the lobby

Support basic animal care and ensure high sanitation standards as needed

Represent the YCSPCA at adoption events and off-site activities

May assist with media and public education efforts

Handle difficult customer interactions or escalations with professionalism

Cross trained in customer service, animal intake, and animal care to provide coverage as needed

Required Qualifications

High school diploma or GED

At least 1 year of customer service in a fast-paced, public-facing role

At least 1 year of animal handling experience in a shelter or veterinary setting

Minimum 3 years of experience with animal behavior, husbandry, and basic training

Proven ability to facilitate animal meets / adoptions and handle sensitive conversations

Willing to be cross trained and fill in other departments

Preferred Qualifications

Associate degree in animal science, communications, marketing, or related field

One or more years of animal adoption experience

Bilingual (English / Spanish)

Familiarity with Shelterluv or similar shelter management software

Prior animal shelter or rescue experience

Skills & Attributes

Passion for animal welfare and YCSPCAs mission

Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with empathy and clarity

Confidence handling animals with unknown or challenging behaviors

Ability to assess adopter needs and make thoughtful recommendations

Excellent time management, organization, and multitasking abilities

High emotional intelligence and professionalism in difficult situations

Comfortable working independently and as part of a team

Willingness to be crossed trained and fill in other departments

Physical Requirements

Ability to lift up to 40 pounds and manage dogs up to 125 pounds

Ability to stand, walk, bend, or squat for extended periods

Ability to work both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions

Schedule & Working Conditions

Workweek includes weekends and occasional evenings or holidays

Required to work a minimum of three holiday shifts per year in animal care

Regular exposure to animals, cleaning chemicals, noise, and possible zoonotic diseases

Work may include handling fractious or aggressive animals

Will be cross trained in other areas

Why Join the York County SPCA?

Be part of a mission-driven team working to save lives and support our community

Opportunity to grow your skills in animal behavior, counseling, and nonprofit work

Dynamic environment committed to innovation, equity, and excellence

Ready to Apply?

If you are passionate about creating lasting matches between people and pets and want to be part of a high-impact team, we want to hear from you. Apply now!