Adoption Specialist

Posting number: 2026-00253

Department: Public Health - Veterinary Services

Job classification: Adoption Specialist

Posting type: Open

Categories: Animal Control, Animal Services

Summary

St. Louis County department of Public Health is hiring an Adoption Specialists. The Adoption Specialists will work extensively with the general public to ensure proper placement of the animals in our care. The shelter is open 7 days a week. Some weekends will be required.

The typical starting salary is $16.80-$20.16 hourly depending on the candidate's qualifications and experience as well as budgetary considerations. Additionally, we offer a competitive benefits package and a generous Paid Time Off (PTO) policy. To learn more about these and other County benefits, please visithttps://stlouiscountymo.gov/st-louis-county-departments/administration/work-for-us/benefits/ St. Louis County Government is a qualified agency for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program managed by the Federal Government. For more information regarding this program, please visit https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service.

Examples of duties

• Administer animal adoption processes to achieve animal placement.
• Assist all visitors, staff and volunteers with animal intake and adoption procedures to ensure positive interactions for animal well-being.
• Provide education and support to customers before and after adoption.
• Care for animals in an animal shelter including providing food, water, exercise and human interaction according to defined guidelines.
• Adapt practices to ensure the most current approaches to animal health and welfare are implemented.
• Utilizing various software applications to perform word processing, data entry, and spreadsheet functions.
• Oversee the placement of animals needing foster care and coordinate their return for surgery, treatment, and/or adoption
• Serve as primary contact for foster volunteers, recruit and support new foster families, and share resources available to fosters
• Work closely with other team members to identify animals needing foster homes and to support medical and behavioral needs
• Perform other duties as required or assigned.

Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent preferably at least two years of experience in animal welfare and extensive customer service experience.

Supplemental information

SELECTION AND APPOINTMENT: A selection committee will evaluate the qualifications of each applicant which will include recentness and appropriateness of the applicant's education and experience, answers to the supplemental questions, results of employment references investigated and any other appropriate information available. The selection committee will admit to the interview only those persons who possess the most job-related qualifications and may establish admittance criteria beyond the minimum qualifications stated above. The interview will comprise 100% of the applicant's earned grade. A candidate must earn a qualifying grade of 70 or more on the interview to be eligible for appointment. After initial interviews with the selected candidates are conducted, an email will be sent to the address on file with instructions on how to complete and submit a Conviction Questionnaire. Candidates have 3 days to complete the required questionnaire. The five top ranking candidates, based on the final grade, will be certified to the Department Director/Appointing Authority who will make the final decision.

All applicants conditionally offered a merit position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Screening will be performed by a reputable clinical laboratory. The cost of screening will be covered by the County.

HOW TO APPLY: Applicants interested in applying for this position should visit our website at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/stlouis. We only accept On-line applications.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY POLICY: The policy of the Civil Service Commission of St. Louis County is to support fair and equitable employment opportunities for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veterans' status or political affiliation. Call the Division of Personnel at (314) 615-5429 for more information on this policy.
St. Louis County
Division of Personnel, 7th Floor Clayton, MO 63105
(314) 615-5429
Relay MO 711 or 800-735-2966
An Equal Opportunity Employer Fax: (314) 615-7703
www.stlouiscountymo.gov