Adoptions Supervisor - Pima Animal Care Center

About the role

Pima Animal Care Center (PACC) serves thousands of pets and people each year. The Adoptions Supervisor leads and develops frontline staff, helps problem-solve challenging situations, supports creative adoption strategies, and keeps the team moving forward even on the busiest days. This position supervises daily operations of PACC’s Adoptions and Behavior teams, provides real-time support for staff and the public, and ensures animals move from the shelter into loving homes while adopters receive welcoming, thoughtful service.

Responsibilities

• Supervise daily operations of PACC’s Adoptions and Behavior teams, including staff management, scheduling, daily task coordination, and operational support to ensure exceptional animal care, customer service, and outcome-focused decision-making.
• Provide real-time, front-facing support for staff and the public in animal handling, playgroup management, behavior evaluation, customer service, matchmaking, de-escalation, and adoption counseling.
• Update and maintain staff schedules, ensuring all shifts are adequately staffed, including coverage for time-off requests, holiday closures, and special events.
• Deliver high-level customer service: address complaints, resolve conflicts, discuss realistic pet ownership expectations, de-escalate tense situations, and connect the public with appropriate resources or staff.
• Handle animals safely and confidently, including fractious or potentially dangerous animals, to support care needs, oversee enrichment playgroups, facilitate behavioral evaluations, and assist during adoptions.
• Assess adoption suitability by evaluating potential adopter and animal interactions, reviewing history and behavioral data, counseling on home management plans, and facilitating successful, safe placements.
• Direct and organize departmental training for staff and volunteers, including onboarding for new hires and continued training for current staff in animal handling, customer service, and animal behavior.
• Monitor animal behavior and well-being, coordinating with behavior team staff to ensure appropriate enrichment, handling, and behavioral support.
• Ensure timely and accurate updates to notes in the shelter management system.
• Assist with euthanasia procedures and support euthanasia decision-making in accordance with shelter protocols and humane practices.
• Collaborate across departments to support interdisciplinary animal care, effective placement, behavior modification, and timely communication regarding shared goals and case management.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications (one of the following):

• High school diploma or GED AND four years of experience caring for and treating animals, or enforcing animal control laws/regulations/ordinances, INCLUDING one year of lead or supervisory experience. (National Animal Control Association Training Academy Levels I and II certification may substitute for up to two years of the general experience.) Relevant education and/or experience from an accredited college or university may also substitute.
• Two years of experience with Pima County as an Animal Care Technician or Animal Care Field Officer.

Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the “Education” and “Work Experience” sections of the application; do not substitute a resume or write “see resume.”

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum two years of experience in a supervisory or leadership role.
• Experience coaching employees, providing feedback, addressing performance concerns, and/or supporting staff development.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish).
• Experience handling animals in an animal shelter environment.

Licenses and Certificates

• Valid driver license required at time of application.
• Valid Arizona driver license required at time of appointment.
• Successful applicant subject to a 39-month DOT Motor Vehicle Record review for suitability to operate county vehicles.
• Failure to obtain and maintain required licenses/certifications is grounds for termination.
• Any offer contingent upon Fleet Services’ review and approval of driving record.

Special Requirements

• Pre-employment background check including verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history (a prior conviction does not automatically disqualify).
• Within nine months of appointment, must receive the full series of pre-exposure rabies immunizations; medical inability or prior immunization must be verified by the County Physician. Recommended boosters required for duration of employment unless medically excused.
• Post-job-offer physical and/or drug screen required.
• Post-job-offer proof of immunization(s) and/or TB screening required.
• Physical/Sensory Requirements: frequently position self to access and care for animals; operate tools and equipment to care for and restrain animals; exchange accurate information; lift and carry animals up to 50 lbs; lift, push, or pull objects up to 50 lbs; bending, reaching, simple/firm grasping, fine movement; work in noisy areas; speak in person; depth perception and peripheral vision required.
• Working Conditions: frequently exposed to unpleasant sounds and odors from animals; frequently exposed to ill, injured, or dead animals in potentially hazardous conditions; exposed to adverse weather when working outside with animals.

Pay

Hiring pay: $23.98 per hour (Salary Grade 8).

Schedule

PACC is open 7 days a week. This position includes non-traditional work hours including weekends, evenings, and schedule rotations.