Supervising Animal Services Counselor - Rescue

Full Job Description

The Riverside County Department of Animal Services has an opportunity for a Supervising Animal Services Counselor on the Rescue Transport team located in San Jacinto, CA. This recruitment may be used to fill vacancies throughout Riverside County.

We are seeking a highly organized and compassionate professional to lead and coordinate emergency animal rescue operations.

This role involves working closely with rescue partners, serving as a liaison across divisions, and managing out-of-state emergency transport for animals—including day-of flight logistics and nationwide coordination.

Responsibilities include identifying animals, securing health certifications, preparing for spay/neuter procedures, and ensuring rescue operations go smoothly.

The position requires frequent travel among shelters and collaboration with veterinary staff, volunteers, and rescue partners in a fast-paced environment.

Ideal candidates will have strong supervisory and leadership skills, experience in shelter operations, and the ability to work under pressure while maintaining attention to detail.

Proficiency in data management systems (such as Chameleon), problem-solving abilities, and prior experience in emergency animal rescue are essential.

Exposure to animals, dander, and euthanasia may occur, so compassion and flexibility are key. Candidates should be comfortable handling animals that may be ill or require testing and vaccinations.

Previous experience working with veterinary teams and coordinating rescue transport is highly desirable.

Hours vary due to job duties such as coordinating flights. Hours can be anywhere from 6:00 am-7:00 pm or late evenings and early mornings.

The Supervising Animal Services Counselor is the full supervisory level classification in the Animal Services Counselor series and reports to an appropriate supervisory or manager level position.

Incumbents in this classification are responsible for directing the day-to-day operations and training of Animal Services Counselor staff throughout the County of Riverside.

The Supervising Animal Services Counselor is distinguished from the Senior Animal Services Counselor by the former’s responsibility for the full range of supervisory duties.

About the Team!

Requirements

• Plan, schedule, assign, train, and supervise the activities of the Animal Services staff including assisting customers seeking to adopt animals from the Department of Animal Services; oversee animal intakes and outcomes; coordinate the spay/neutering of animals for outreach adoptions; transport animals to outreach events; evaluate animals for adoptability and perform adoption follow-up.

• Plan, organize, schedule, and operate community outreach and adoption events.

• Direct the operations of animal intakes and outcomes, pet support for clients, general handling of animals, marketing efforts to encourage redemptions and adoptions of animals, computer update, and accounting activities for monies received.

• Interview and select new employees; prepare and review employee performance evaluations; counsel employees, attempt to resolve grievances and when necessary, recommend disciplinary action.

• Plan and participate in departmental training programs for assigned staff; conduct courses and evaluate employee achievements and course effectiveness.

• Assist the Animal Services Manager with the planning and development of the Animal Services Programs, identifying objectives of animal regulations, preparing policies and standard procedures, and developing overall goals.

• Suggest changes and improvements in existing programs and procedures; assist with the preparation of the annual budget, recommending and justifying additional personnel and equipment.

• Serve as Animal Services Manager in the temporary absence of the latter.

• Interpret ordinances, statutes, regulations, and policies to the staff, and the general public providing technical assistance in the resolution of problems related to adoptions.

• Work cooperatively with other animal services personnel when joint action is required.

• Promote animal services through community relations with civic, governmental and private groups; coordinate educational programs with the community, schools, law enforcement agencies, the media, and other groups.

• Maintain program statistics; prepare reports and correspondence concerning the Animal Services Program.

• Review reports and other written materials composed by the staff; conduct and attend various supervisory meetings and conferences with management; inspect and supervise maintenance of equipment and vehicles.

Qualifications

Education: Graduation from high school or attainment of a satisfactory score on a G.E.D. test.

Experience: Two years in a public or non-profit animal services program, which included responsibility of serving in a customer service capacity, for caring for, licensing and pet support for clients, intake and outcome programs in a public animal services program.

One year of the required experience must be in an Animal Services Counselor position or equivalent.

Knowledge of: Principles and techniques of supervision related to the selection, training, direction, motivation, and evaluation of subordinates; state and county laws, codes and regulations governing animal control; legal liabilities and responsibilities of those concerned with the intake and outcome processes of shelter animals, causes, symptoms, and safe handling of rabid animals; animal handling safety rules, procedures and proper handling techniques; specific knowledge of various breeds of animals and their care and feeding.

Ability to: Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relations with the public, adoption partners and other employees; plan, schedule and direct the work of others engaged in intake and outcome processes; counsel employee's regarding denial of adoptions; write comprehensive and detailed reports; exercise tact and good judgment; develop and maintain working relationships with the public, adoption partners and other governmental agencies; work effectively under stressful situations; organize and meet deadlines; read, comprehend and interpret laws and regulations pertaining to animal intake, outcome processes, adoptions, and safety; 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.).

License: Possession of a valid California Driver's License.

Must be able to work irregular work schedules such as weekends, evenings and holidays, as required.

Physical: exposure to inclement weather, animal dander, smells, insects. Animal handling performed as needed.

Desired Experience:

Additional Information

This recruitment is open to all candidates.

Application Status:
How to confirm your application was received or check on the status of your application, log-in to www.GovernmentJobs.com, click on your name in the upper right corner, and click on “Applications & Status.”

Sign Up for Job Alerts:
Go to www.RC-HR.com, click on “Careers,” click on “County Job Openings,” and click on “Subscribe to Job Alerts” icon.


For questions regarding this recruitment:
Contact Amanda Campos at 951-955-9707 or acampos@rivco.org. Please allow 1-2 business days for a response to general inquiries.