Events Adoption Counselor

Posting Date

10 / 07 / 25

Application Deadline

10 / 11 / 25

Pay Range

Anticipated Hiring Range : $20.25 - $23.00 hourly

Full Pay Range : $20.25 - $30.50 hourly

Salary offers are based on the candidate's equivalent experience and internal equity with other employees within the same job classification. This position is eligible for overtime compensation for all hours worked over 40 in the designated workweek.

Job Type

Contractor (No Benefits)

Department

Animal Care and Control

About the Position

Do you have a passion for connecting adopters with pets, caring for animals, and creating positive experiences for both people and pets?

As a part-time contract Events Adoption Counselor, you will play a vital role in matching animals with individuals looking to adopt, while also providing care for animals at offsite PetSmart adoption events. Your responsibilities will include transporting animals, conducting animal meet-and-greets and facilitating a conversational adoption process through open and engaging dialogue. As a key advocate for our mission, you'll help identify the needs of potential adopters and guide them through the adoption journey.

This position is dedicated to increasing the number of dogs adopted from PetSmart locations, improving adoption rates, and reducing the length of stay for animals at MCACC. By achieving these goals, the role helps reduce stress on the dogs and enhances their chances of finding a forever home. This position requires working both at the shelter and at local PetSmart locations during all scheduled hours.

Join us on the front lines of making a difference-connecting the people and pets of Maricopa County and helping them find their perfect match!

This position is part-time at 19 hours per week as it is funded through a grant and is contingent upon the availability of grant funds. Employment in this role is subject to the continuation of funding and may be discontinued if funding is reduced or eliminated. Continued employment is not guaranteed beyond the current grant period.

About Us

Maricopa County Animal Care & Control employees are committed to animal welfare and strengthening the human-animal bond in our community, and we are always looking to add talented individuals to our team, either at our West or East Valley Animal Care Centers. As one of the nation's largest open-admission shelters, we work with our community to serve the animals and people of Maricopa County. Our adoptions, shelter, clinic, and animal services officer teams learn firsthand about proper care of homeless and stray animals and work hard to help find them new homes.

Proud to Offer

Work with a greater purpose

Exceptional work-life balance

Opportunities for growth and development within Maricopa County

Child care benefits including access to our on-site center Maricopa County Kids Club , dedicated to serving Maricopa County families exclusively

Sick time, and parental leave

Learn more at Work With Us | Maricopa County, AZ

We Require

Two years of experience in a retail or similar customer service role

One year of experience handling animals

High school diploma or GED

A combination of post-secondary education and / or job-related experience may substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis

We Also Value

Six months or more performing dog-to-dog introductions or playgroups, preferably in a shelter or rescue environment.

Experience performing dog-to-dog introductions or playgroups in a shelter-like environment

Experience leading or working directly with volunteers in an animal welfare setting

Animal behavior certifications such as CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, KPA-CTP, CTC or equivalent

Job Contributions

Conducts animal adoption meet and greets and reviews information and adoption materials with potential adopters

Greets and assists customers, effectively addresses inquiries, and provides accurate information, all while maintaining a professional and helpful demeanor

Performs accurate data entry including adoption processing, fee collection, entering animal, person, medical information, and creating and updating animal bios and photos

Maintains a kennel floor presence and actively engages with the general public and the animals to facilitate matchmaking

Demonstrates excellent verbal and written skills, including clear and effective communication with others (staff, public, volunteers) that is professional, respectful and positive

Transport animals to and from off-site adoption locations

Ensures adoption area is clean and tidy throughout the day by mopping floors, cleaning kennels, wiping surfaces in meet and greet and lobby areas, and maintaining kennel signage / cards and play yards

Conducts additional animal handling as needed, including restraint, walking, playgroups, and other duties

Maintains and updates adoption packet information and supplies to ensure new adopters have all appropriate documentation and resources needed for their new pet

Runs reports and performs related duties. Provides support with kennel cleaning, animal evaluations, events, enrichment, and other duties as assigned

Working Conditions

Must possess, or have the ability to obtain by time of hire, a valid Arizona driver's license with the ability to drive a 29' and 31' Vehicle

Must complete animal handling training within 3 months of hire

Candidates must be flexible to work varying shifts, weekends and holidays

Staff are assigned to any shift, with any combination of days off, determined by the needs of the Department

May be assigned to work at other shelter locations based on operational needs

Exerting 50-100 lbs. occasionally, 10-25 lbs. frequently, or up to 10-20 lbs. constantly

Position is typically office or administrative work and is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions

Incumbent may be subjected to extreme temperatures, wetness / humidity, respiratory hazards and noise and vibration

Incumbent may be subjected to moving mechanical parts, vibrations, fumes, odors, dusts, poor, ventilation, chemicals, oils, extreme temperatures, inadequate lighting, workspace restrictions, intense noises, and travel

Fast-paced animal shelter environment with exposure to extreme and varying temperatures, dogs and cats with unknown temperaments and behaviors, excessive noise, animal waste and fluids, deceased animals, cleaning chemicals, and zoonotic diseases. Required to handle animals

Selection Procedure

Only the most qualified candidates will be considered

Consideration will only be given to candidates who submit online applications

Candidates will be contacted primarily through email and their Workday online application profile

Must pass a pre-employment background and / or fingerprint investigation as required by statute or policy, including drug and alcohol testing requirements for positions designated as safety-sensitive

Maricopa County is an equal opportunity employer.

Apply Now!