York County SPCA Adoptions Counselor (Full Time)

Adoption Counselor – Full Time

Location: York, PA
Weekly Schedule: 40 hours/week, Monday - Thursday, and Sunday. 

Daily Schedule: Alternates between 9am - 5:30pm and 8am - 4:30pm. 

Make a lasting impact—help pets find their perfect match and guide adopters through life-changing moments.

About Us

The York County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (YCSPCA) is a nonprofit animal welfare organization committed to reducing animal homelessness and cruelty through adoption, education, outreach, and enforcement. We strive to create meaningful connections between pets and people, guided by our core values: Compassion, Integrity, Resilience, Collaboration, Lifesaving, and Excellence.

Position Summary

Adoption Counselors play a vital role in ensuring animals find permanent, loving homes. They work directly with the public to facilitate adoptions, provide guidance and education, and promote the well-being of animals in our care. Using a conversational approach rooted in the Adopters Welcome philosophy, Adoption Counselors help people make informed, responsible decisions—building lasting human-animal bonds.

This position requires strong communication skills, a passion for animal welfare, and the ability to navigate emotional or challenging conversations with empathy and professionalism.

Key Responsibilities

Adoption Counseling & Matchmaking

Conduct open, supportive conversations with potential adopters to assess fit and make successful matches
Guide adopters through shelter visits, adoption meets, dog introductions, scheduled appointments, and walk-in meetings
Provide accurate information on animal behavior, health history, and long-term needs
Educate the public on topics such as training, acclimation, safety, licensing, and responsible ownership
Promote and prioritize long-term shelter residents for placement
Maintain a friendly, professional, and welcoming demeanor with the public
Animal Knowledge & Collaboration

Stay informed about adoptable animals and collaboration with the shelter team
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of each animal’s medical, behavioral, and personality profile
Support animal behavior evaluations and enrichment efforts
Participate in playgroups and assist with training plans as needed
Operations & Administration

Complete all adoption paperwork, payments, and system entries accurately
Meet adoption goals and support healthy population flow
Maintain records in shelter software (Shelterluv)
Monitor cleanliness of public adoption areas and the lobby
Support basic animal care and ensure high sanitation standards as needed
Represent the YCSPCA at adoption events and off-site activities
May assist with media and public education efforts
Handle difficult customer interactions or escalations with professionalism
Cross trained in customer service, animal intake, and animal care to provide coverage as needed

Required Qualifications

High school diploma or GED
At least 1 year of customer service in a fast-paced, public-facing role
At least 1 year of animal handling experience in a shelter or veterinary setting
Minimum 3 years of experience with animal behavior, husbandry, and basic training
Proven ability to facilitate animal meets/adoptions and handle sensitive conversations
Willing to be cross trained and fill in other departments

Preferred Qualifications

Associate degree in animal science, communications, marketing, or related field
One or more years of animal adoption experience
Bilingual (English/Spanish)
Familiarity with Shelterluv or similar shelter management software
Prior animal shelter or rescue experience

Skills & Attributes

Passion for animal welfare and YCSPCA’s mission
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with empathy and clarity
Confidence handling animals with unknown or challenging behaviors
Ability to assess adopter needs and make thoughtful recommendations
Excellent time management, organization, and multitasking abilities
High emotional intelligence and professionalism in difficult situations
Comfortable working independently and as part of a team
Willingness to be crossed trained and fill in other departments 

Physical Requirements

Ability to lift up to 40 pounds and manage dogs up to 125 pounds
Ability to stand, walk, bend, or squat for extended periods
Ability to work both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions

Schedule & Working Conditions

Workweek includes weekends and occasional evenings or holidays
Required to work a minimum of three holiday shifts per year in animal care
Regular exposure to animals, cleaning chemicals, noise, and possible zoonotic diseases
Work may include handling fractious or aggressive animals
Will be cross trained in other areas 

Why Join the York County SPCA?

Be part of a mission-driven team working to save lives and support our community
Opportunity to grow your skills in animal behavior, counseling, and nonprofit work
Dynamic environment committed to innovation, equity, and excellence

Ready to Apply?

If you are passionate about creating lasting matches between people and pets and want to be part of a high-impact team, we want to hear from you. Apply now!

Salary : $17