Events Adoption Counselor

Maricopa County (AZ) • Mesa, AZ

78d • $20 - $23

About The Position

Do you have a passion for connecting adopters with pets, caring for animals, and creating positive experiences for both people and pets? As a part-time contract Events Adoption Counselor, you will play a vital role in matching animals with individuals looking to adopt, while also providing care for animals at offsite PetSmart adoption events. Your responsibilities will include transporting animals, conducting animal meet-and-greets and facilitating a conversational adoption process through open and engaging dialogue. As a key advocate for our mission, you'll help identify the needs of potential adopters and guide them through the adoption journey. This position is dedicated to increasing the number of dogs adopted from PetSmart locations, improving adoption rates, and reducing the length of stay for animals at MCACC. By achieving these goals, the role helps reduce stress on the dogs and enhances their chances of finding a forever home. This position requires working both at the shelter and at local PetSmart locations during all scheduled hours. Join us on the front lines of making a difference-connecting the people and pets of Maricopa County and helping them find their perfect match! This position is part-time at 19 hours per week as it is funded through a grant and is contingent upon the availability of grant funds. Employment in this role is subject to the continuation of funding and may be discontinued if funding is reduced or eliminated. Continued employment is not guaranteed beyond the current grant period.

Requirements

• Two years of experience in a retail or similar customer service role
• One year of experience handling animals
• High school diploma or GED
• A combination of post-secondary education and/or job-related experience may substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis

Nice To Haves

• Six months or more performing dog-to-dog introductions or playgroups, preferably in a shelter or rescue environment
• Experience performing dog-to-dog introductions or playgroups in a shelter-like environment
• Experience leading or working directly with volunteers in an animal welfare setting
• Animal behavior certifications such as CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, KPA-CTP, CTC or equivalent

Responsibilities

• Conducts animal adoption meet and greets and reviews information and adoption materials with potential adopters
• Greets and assists customers, effectively addresses inquiries, and provides accurate information, all while maintaining a professional and helpful demeanor
• Performs accurate data entry including adoption processing, fee collection, entering animal, person, medical information, and creating and updating animal bios and photos
• Maintains a kennel floor presence and actively engages with the general public and the animals to facilitate matchmaking
• Demonstrates excellent verbal and written skills, including clear and effective communication with others (staff, public, volunteers) that is professional, respectful and positive
• Transport animals to and from off-site adoption locations
• Ensures adoption area is clean and tidy throughout the day by mopping floors, cleaning kennels, wiping surfaces in meet and greet and lobby areas, and maintaining kennel signage/cards and play yards
• Conducts additional animal handling as needed, including restraint, walking, playgroups, and other duties
• Maintains and updates adoption packet information and supplies to ensure new adopters have all appropriate documentation and resources needed for their new pet
• Runs reports and performs related duties. Provides support with kennel cleaning, animal evaluations, events, enrichment, and other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Work with a greater purpose
• Exceptional work-life balance
• Opportunities for growth and development within Maricopa County
• Child care benefits including access to our on-site center Maricopa County Kids Club, dedicated to serving Maricopa County families exclusively
• Sick time, and parental leave

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Industry: Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees