Animal Adoption Center Counselor Salary $42,411.20 Annually
Location: Albuquerque, NM Job Type: Full Time Job Number: 2600484 Department: Animal Welfare Division AW-Animal Care Ctr - Eastside Opening Date: 01/27/2026 Closing Date: 2/11/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
Bargaining Unit: NU
Description: Provide assistance to potential adopters visiting the Adoption Center; provide support by counseling and facilitating visitation between customers and animals; process adoptions and receive payments from patrons; care for and clean animals housed at the Adoption Center; answer questions regarding City ordinances and regulations; perform a variety of tasks relative to the assigned area of responsibility; and provide excellent animal care and customer service in accordance with the Animal Care Centers mission, goals and management philosophy.
This is a safety sensitive position subject to random drug/alcohol testing. This is an unclassified at-will position.
Job Descriptions are intended to present a general list of tasks/duties performed by employees within this job classification. Job Descriptions are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.
Minimum Education, Experience, and Additional Requirements:
Education: Directly related to the minimum requirements below may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis. Exception: The one (1) year of animal welfare work experience in an animal services facility cannot be substituted. High school diploma or GED; and To include at least one (1) year of animal welfare work experience in an animal services facility.
Retail sales experience preferred.
Additional Requirements: Possession of a valid New Mexico Drivers License, or the ability to obtain by date of hire. Possession of a City Operators Permit (COP) within 6 months from date of hire. Possession of a valid City of Albuquerque Cash Handling Certificate within six (6) months from date of hire. Must be able to work weekends, nights and holidays.
Preferred Knowledge: Principles and practices of retail business setting Principles and practices of animal welfare, handling, care and treatment Customer relations techniques Principles and procedures of cash handling, financial record keeping and posting A variety of animal species, breeds and related behavioral and health characteristics Computer literate in a Windows environment Occupational hazards and standard animal safety practices Pertinent Federal, State and local codes, laws and regulations
Preferred Skills & Abilities: Utilize effective problem solving/decision making skills Provide a wide variety of assistance and information to customers Resolve customer problems and inquiries Effectively deal with a variety of stressful situations and conditions (animal and human) Compassionately interact with animals in ways to minimize their stress Operate a computer efficiently using computer programs and learn and operate facility-computerized programs, (i.e. Chameleon, etc.) Correctly use and apply a variety of animal handling skills Work independently in the absence of supervision Communicate clearly and concisely Perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
Total Rewards: The City of Albuquerque takes pride in offering our employees one of the most attractive Total Rewards packages in New Mexico. In addition to competitive salaries, the City provides benefit options for health, pharmacy, dental, vision, life, disability, and much more. The City also has pre-tax savings plans for healthcare, childcare, and parking. Employees participate in the state's public retirement system (PERA), with the City paying up to 75 percent of the employee's contribution. That's higher than any other contribution rate in the state of New Mexico!
Paid holidays? Check Paid parental leave? Check Paid birthdays off? Check Vacation and sick leave starting Day 1? Check and check
Our people matter and we prioritize physical, mental, and financial wellbeing. With resources such as onsite and mobile medical clinics, an employee assistance program that encourages work-life balance, and tuition assistance and professional development pathways, the City is committed to equipping our employees with tools to better their lives and grow their careers while serving their community.
Total Rewards - City of Albuquerque
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