Animal Services Counselor

The Riverside County Department of Animal Services has multiple opportunities for Animal Services Counselors in Riverside Jurupa Valley.Join the Department of Animal Services and help us fulfill our mission of working together to improve Riverside County for people and animals. As part of our team you will embody our core values by demonstrating respect and empathy toward all people and animals supporting progressive sheltering and adoption programs and contributing to a safe collaborative workplace. If you are passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of animals and the community we encourage you to apply and be a steward for those who cannot speak for themselves.

The five divisions for Animal Services Counselor are Adoption Foster Enrichment Rescue and Pet Support. We encourage you to read more about these divisions below.

Adoption Counselor- This position is a customer-facing position that focuses on matching people and pets to each other. This role involves face-to-face interactions with the public and direct animal handling to match adoptable animals with potential homes providing guidance education and support throughout the adoption process. Youll also play a key role in assessing adopters needs promoting responsible pet ownership and ensuring animals are placed in safe loving environments. Ideal candidates are compassionate patient great communicators and comfortable working in a fast-paced emotionally rewarding environment. Bilingual skills and previous customer service or animal care experience are a plus.

Foster Counselor- This position will support and grow our foster program by working directly with individuals and families who open their homes to animals in need. This role includes matching animals with appropriate foster homes providing training and resources to foster caregivers and serving as a point of contact for ongoing support. Youll help coordinate animal movement in and out of foster care troubleshoot challenges and ensure both animals and fosters have a positive experience. The ideal candidate is organized empathetic and confident communicating with a diverse public especially in a fast-paced high-volume environment. Experience in animal care veterinary care customer service or case management is helpful.

Enrichment Counselor- This position plays a vital role in supporting the behavioral and emotional health and well-being of dogs in our care. This position focuses on providing daily enrichment in-kennel and through playgroups socialization and positive reinforcement-based handling to reduce stress and improve adoptability. Youll work closely with adoption staff volunteers and care teams to develop and implement enrichment plans tailored to individual dogs needs. Ideal candidates are patient observant comfortable handling a wide range of dog behaviors and types of dogs and passionate about helping people and helping pets. Prior experience in dog handling sheltering customer service or animal behavior is a strong plus.

Rescue Counselor- This position will be responsible for building and maintaining partnerships with animal rescue organizations to help place animals who may need extra support beyond what the shelter can provide. This role involves daily communication and coordination with rescue groups identifying animals who would benefit from transfer and managing and delivering the logistics of moving animals safely and efficiently. Youll advocate for animals with medical or behavioral challenges and collaborate with veterinary and behavior teams to support rescue placements. Ideal candidates are highly organized skilled communicators and passionate about lifesaving partnerships. Experience in animal welfare customer service case management or rescue coordination is a plus.

Pet Support Counselor- This position works directly with community members to help them keep care for or rehome their pets or found pets. This role focuses on providing resources counseling and alternatives to surrender whenever possible including support with pet food housing challenges veterinary care and behavior concerns. Youll also assist pet owners through the intake or rehoming process when needed. The ideal candidate is compassionate solutions-oriented and skilled in active listening and problem-solving. Experience in social services customer service or animal welfare is highly valued in this community-centered position.

Interact with the public and direct animal handling to match adoptable animals with potential homes providing guidance education and support throughout the adoption process.

Match animals with appropriate foster homes provide training and resources to foster caregivers and serve as a point of contact for ongoing support.

Coordinate animal movement in and out of foster care.

Provide daily enrichment in-kennel and through playgroups socialization and positive reinforcement-based handling to reduce stress and improve adoptability.

Build and maintain partnerships with animal rescue organizations to help place animals.

Advocate for animals with medical or behavioral challenges and collaborate with veterinary and behavior teams to support rescue placements.

OPTION I

Experience: Six months performing animal care duties in a public or non-profit animal control program.

OPTION II

Experience: One year of paid or voluntary experience in a veterinary office animal grooming animal board and kennel facility or similar setting which included the care of animals.

OPTION III

Experience: Two years of experience within a customer service environment.

ALL OPTIONS

Knowledge of: Techniques and procedures for the safe humane and efficient handling of animals; laws and ordinances governing the licensing and treatment of animals; the symptoms of common animal diseases; common breeds of domestic animals and appropriate practices for their care and feeding.

Ability to: Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relations with the public adoption partners and other employees; handle animals humanely and safely; manage difficult to place animals; read and comprehend laws and regulations pertaining to animal control; clearly explain animal services to the public; exercise tact and good judgment in dealings with the public; recognize symptoms of rabies and other animal diseases; keep statistical records; lift and handle cats dogs (including large breeds) and other animals.

Other Requirements

License: Possession of a valid California Drivers License may be required.

This recruitment is open to all candidates.A list of eligible candidates will be established to fill current and future vacancies throughout Riverside County.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Veterans Preference
The County has a Veterans Preference Policy applicable to new hires. To qualify upload a copy of your (or your spouses) Member-4 Form DD-214 indicating dates of service and a copy of your spouses letter of disability (if applicable) with your application. For privacy reasons it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans Veterans Preference Policy C-3 is available here: Accommodations
The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and/or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at: of Education
If using education to qualify or when requested by the recruiter upload a copy of any license(s) official/unofficial transcript(s) degrees and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account at the time of application and before the closing date. Official or unofficial transcripts will be accepted.

If your education was completed outside of the United States you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators Inc. (AICE).

Work Authorization Requirement
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application. The County of Riverside does not participate in visa sponsorship programs including H1-B visas and will not provide sponsorship for any employment-based visas.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The County of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the County of Riverside to provide equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race color religion sex national origin age disability sexual orientation gender gender identity gender expression marital status ancestry medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics) genetic information or denial of medical and family care leave or any other non-job-related factors.

Pre-Employment
All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements including a criminal background investigation which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment). A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required.

Probationary Period
As an Approved Local Merit System all County of Riverside employees except those serving At Will are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding County Resolution or Salary Ordinance. Temporary and Per Diem employees serve at the pleasure of the agency/department head.

General Information
Current County of Riverside and/or current employees of the hiring department may receive priority consideration. Qualified candidates may be considered for future County vacancies.

Job postings may close without notice based on application volume. Submit your complete application by the recruitment close date; no late applications are accepted. Ensure all relevant experience/education is reflected on your application/resume as a failure to demonstrate position requirements may disqualify applicants. A description of job duties directly copied from the job classification or job posting will not be considered.

Please read and follow any special application instructions on this posting. Click the Apply link located on this page to submit your application. For additional instructions on the application process examinations Veterans preference pre-employment accommodation or other employment questions please refer to our web site .

If you are experiencing technical problems you may contact the applicant support desk Monday through Friday 6 am to 5 pm Pacific Time at or toll-free 1-.