Temporary Animal Services Counselor- Coachella Valley

Full Job Description

The County of Riverside’s Human Resources Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) is seeking a Temporary Animal Services Counselor to support the Animal Services Department in the Coachella Valley.

Under general supervision, the Animal Services Counselor performs basic animal intake and assists with improving animal outcomes for the Department of Animal Services; coordinates for spay/neutering of animals for outreach adoptions and transporting animals to outreach events; performs other related duties as required. The Animal Services Counselor is a first professional level classification and reports to a supervising or manager level position. This class is characterized by the responsibility for coordinating the animal intake and improving animal outcomes of shelter animals and participating in the Animal Services Community Outreach & Education Division activities.

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.

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.

You’ll 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.

You’ll 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.

The Animal Services Counselor position follows a 5/40 schedule and it requires flexible availability, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Salary Ranges:

Animal Services Counselor: $55,304.34 - $72,577.65 Annually

Meet the team:

The Riverside County Department of Animal Services has a vision for promoting an environment of responsible pet ownership through progressive animal welfare initiatives, community outreach, and humane education in a culture of compassion, creativity, and integrity.

The Department of Animal Services believes the character of their organization is best reflected in the strong dedication of each one of their employees who strive to meet the highest standards of performance and compassion on behalf of the animals and people that they serve.

The Department of Animal Services operates four shelters located in Blythe, Jurupa Valley, San Jacinto and Thousand Palms.

About TAP
The Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) recruits and hires temporary employees for all County departments. TAP assignments are a great way to learn about working for the County while working on a temporary, at-will basis.

Click here to learn more about TAP: https://rc-hr.com/temporary-medical-assignment-program-tapmap

TAP Benefits: https://rc-hr.com/files/users/user81/2024%20TAP%20Flyer.pdf(Download PDF reader)(Download PDF reader)

Requirements

• Participate in Animal Services Community Outreach & Education Division activities; answer questions concerning age, breed, characteristics, and care and treatment of animals; responsible for knowing which animals are available for adoption, return-to-owner, etc., and knowing the temperaments and personalities of these animals.

• Assist and counsel owners and members of the public in the admittance and surrender of animals through proper interviewing techniques and completion of necessary paperwork; obtain accurate information regarding animal temperament, living habits and training, medical conditions, behavior, age, breed, and any relevant information from the relinquishing party; assist owners with alternative options to surrendering an animal.

• Prepare reports, maintain records, and fill out forms concerning activities; assist with the training of new staff and/or volunteers.

• May be assigned to any shift and required to be available as needed.

• May be specifically assigned as an Adoption Partner Coordinator and act as point of contact for rescue groups (adoption partners), coordinating the adoption of shelter animals to adoption partners and developing/maintaining relationships with adoption partners, and other related activities as assigned.

• Participate regularly in community events or animal adoption events that frequently occur on weekends; coordinate spay/neutering of animals in anticipation of outreach activities.

• Act as a fully participating member of the Community Outreach and Education Division and of the Adoption Team and work collaboratively and supportively with the Animal Care Technicians.

Qualifications

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.

Additional Information

Other Requirements

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

This recruitment is open to all applicants.

For questions regarding this requirement

Contact Daniel Kimbrough at 951-955-1695 or at dkimbrough@rivco.org. For General inquiries, please allow up to two business days to receive a response.

Based on the number of applications received this posting may close early with or without notice.