Animal Adoption Counselor
About The Position
The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is seeking compassionate, customer-focused individuals to join our team as an Animal Adoption Counselor. This role helps connect homeless pets with loving families while creating a welcoming and positive experience for adopters, visitors, volunteers, and community partners. This is a great opportunity for someone with customer service, retail, hospitality, and animal handling experience who enjoys helping people, working with animals, and being part of a mission-driven team. SCHEDULE We are currently hiring for both full-time and part-time opportunities. Full-time: 40 hours per week Hours are typically scheduled between 10:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday availability is required Part-time: Up to 30 hours per week Hours are typically scheduled between 10:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday or Sunday availability is required BEFORE YOU APPLY: SEE THE ROLE IN ACTION Watch Adoption Supervisor, Brian Madison, share what makes this position rewarding, what a typical day looks like, and the qualities that help team members succeed on the Adoption team. Animal Adoption Counselor Career Spotlight Video [https://youtu.be/tQ2u3-aENXY] This short video offers an inside look at the team, the work, and the impact you will have helping pets find loving homes. ABOUT THE ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE OF IOWA The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is Iowa’s largest nonprofit animal welfare organization, helping animals and the people who love them through sheltering, adoption, veterinary care, animal services, community programs, and pet support resources. Across multiple locations and programs in the Des Moines metro, the ARL works every day to provide compassionate care, practical support, and trusted resources for animals and families in our community.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED, required.
- Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record required.
- Strong communication, customer service, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to stay professional and compassionate in a fast-paced environment.
- Dependable, organized, adaptable, and comfortable working with people and animals.
- Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office.
Nice To Haves
- Previous customer service, retail, hospitality, animal handling, animal welfare, veterinary clinic, shelter, or community event experience preferred.
Responsibilities
- Welcome visitors and guide potential adopters through the adoption process.
- Answer questions, review adoption applications, and help facilitate successful matches between people and pets.
- Provide basic information about animal behavior, medical needs, and adoption expectations.
- Assist with retail purchases, transactions, and cash drawer balancing.
- Help maintain clean, organized, and welcoming adoption lobby and work areas.
- Support off-site adoption events and community outreach opportunities.
- Work closely with staff and volunteers while using low-stress, compassionate animal handling techniques.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Employer-paid long-term disability and basic life insurance
- Supplemental insurances, including short-term disability, supplemental life insurance, accident, and critical illness insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan with an employer contribution
- Veterinary benefits
- Work-life balance through our expansive holiday and paid time off policies
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
