Animal Care Technician - Adoptions Counselor

at Pima County Government in Tucson, Arizona, United States

Job Description

Department - Pima Animal Care Center

OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Job Type: Classified

Job Classification: 5931 - Animal Care Technician I

Salary Grade: 1

Hiring Pay: $16.32

The first review of applications will be on 09/5/2025. 

Pima Animal Care Center is looking to add two Adoptions/Behavior Counselors to their Outcomes Team. As an Adoptions/Behavior Counselor, you will work directly with our community to find the best furry friends for their home. This position is customer service centered and includes working both indoors and outdoors with dogs of varying behavior types. You will run large dog play groups, provide dog enrichment, and assess dog behavior.

This position requires the ability to work evenings, weekends, and rotating shifts.

Essential Functions:

As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, this classification may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class. Work assignments may vary depending on the department’s need and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by the supervisor.

• Provides humane care and safe handling for a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, and small pets, while monitoring behavior and health;

• Works outdoors in all weather conditions and safely handles live animals, including those that may be injured, frightened, or offensive, using appropriate techniques to minimize risks to self and others;

• Demonstrates excellent customer service to the public and volunteers by answering questions, addressing concerns, and guiding decisions regarding intakes, outcomes, redemptions and animal care in adherence to PACC policies;

• Handles animals for behavioral assessments and playgroups, identifying placement or behavior concerns, and participates in decisions regarding outcomes, including euthanasia;

• Accurately organizes and documents information on animal behavior, history, medical records and outcomes, utilizing shelter software and other systems for recordkeeping, communication, and scheduling;

• Administers vaccinations and medications under veterinary guidance, assesses animals for signs of illness or injury and documents and communicates health concerns;

• Facilitates adoption and foster processes by assisting with enrichment, behavioral evaluations, animal meet and greets, matchmaking and note reviews;

• Supports intake and admissions by providing correct intake pathways, checking animals for health concerns, identifying ages/breeds and finding kennel placements;

• Maintains a clean and sanitary facility, including kennels, workspaces, public lobbies, and treatment spaces;

• Frequently lifts and carries heavy objects, bends, stoops, reaches, and performs other physical tasks as required;

• Safeguards and accounts for scheduled drugs and funds received for PACC services;

• Operates County-owned vehicles to transport animals and supplies.

Minimum Qualifications:

High school diploma or General Education Development (G.E.D.) certificate.

(Relevant experience and/or education from an accredited college or university may be substituted.)

Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and “Work Experience" sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see resume" on your application.

Preferred Qualifications: (Be specific in describing your experience in your application. Ensure the descriptions provided illustrate your competencies, specifically addressing the required and preferred qualifications.): 

• Bilingual (English/Spanish).

• Minimum one (1) year experience working in customer service.

• Minimum six (6) months experience working in an animal shelter or other relevant animal care setting.

• Experience working or volunteering with dogs and/or cats.

Selection Procedure: 
Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. All applications will be assessed based on an evaluation of the listed education and experience. Candidates meeting the minimum qualifications may be further evaluated/scored against any advertised Preferred Qualifications. The hiring authority will interview and select the successful candidate from a referral list provided by Human Resources. Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process.