Animal Services Counselor (Coachella & San Jacinto)

The Riverside County Department of Animal Services has multiple opportunities for Animal Services Counselors at the Coachella and San Jacinto animal shelters.

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.

You'll 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.

You'll 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.

You'll 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.

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