Adoption Intake Counseling Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Houston, TX
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number: 17106
Department: Public Health Services
Division: Veterinary Public Health
Opening Date: 08/20/2026
Closing Date: 10/30/2026 11:59 PM Central
Position Description
If you're looking to be a part of a collaborative environment where your skills can make an impact, explore our current opportunities in creating a better future for public health.
About Harris County Public Health:
Harris County Public Health (HCPH) includes a network of more than 1,100 public health professionals working together to improve health outcomes for the third most populous county in the United States. HCPH provides a multitude of services such as medical and dental services, community programming, and health education for the approximately 2.3 million people in unincorporated Harris County. Through its core values of innovation, engagement, and health equity, HCPH strives to bring meaningful solutions to public health issues while keeping Harris County healthy and vibrant.
Our Values:
HCPH embraces a foundation of progressive work anchored by the department's cornerstone values guiding our work to improve the community's health and well-being.

• Transparency - We share information openly and honestly so that staff, partners, and the community understand our actions and the reasons behind them.
• Integrity - Our actions reflect strong ethical principles, ensuring we remain trustworthy, accountable, and consistent with our mission.
• Respect - We foster a supportive environment by valuing diverse perspectives, listening intentionally, and treating people with dignity in every interaction.
• Impact - We focus our efforts on activities that improve health, reduce disparities, and create meaningful, measurable outcomes for the communities we serve.
• Collaboration - We actively partner across teams, disciplines, organizations, and communities to align our efforts toward common goals.

Position Overview:
Under the supervision of the Kennel Manager, the Intake Program Coordinator will oversee the County Pets' Intake Diversion program. This role is responsible for developing resources, prioritizing community needs, educating staff, and providing personalized counseling to individuals seeking options for pet surrender. The Intake Program Coordinator plays a vital role in surrender prevention by offering alternative solutions that enable pet owners to retain their pets, such as connecting them with resources for low-cost veterinary care, behavioral support, temporary foster care, and pet supplies. Additionally, the Coordinator will provide information on shelter surrender policies, pet care, and available community resources, while also managing animal intake, lost pet services, and pet adoptions.
Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provides timely and professional communication in-person, via phone, and email, offering relevant information and resources tailored to each client's specific needs
• Schedules and manages intake appointments, oversees animal evaluations and triage, and ensures compliance with HCP admission guidelines
• Supports positive client-pet relationships by assisting with animal redemption, lost/found services, and facilitates referrals to appropriate external organizations
• Collaborates with the management team and internal/external partners to establish and maintain professional relationships, ensuring effective coordination and support
• Designs and delivers educational programs for staff, volunteers, and external partners on the intake diversion program, and provides oversight and coordination of volunteers supporting this initiative
• Develops and maintains strategies to connect pet owners and finders with resources that prevent animal surrender to the shelter
• Manages the creation and updating of educational materials, ensuring the availability of necessary supplies and equipment for the intake diversion program
• Maintains accurate and up-to-date program data, ensuring proper documentation of person and animal information in the HCP database (Chameleon), and reviews all forms for completeness and accuracy, while generating program statistics and monthly reports

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx
If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net
Requirements
Education:

• High School Diploma or equivalent

Experience:

• At least two (2) years of experience in a position involving customer service, community relations, relationship building or personnel training.

Certifications/Licenses:

• Valid Texas Driver's License (upon hire)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Ability to handle difficult people and situations in a professional manner is necessary
• Must be comfortable working with animals
• Speaks in a clear and credible manner, selecting the right tone for the situation and audience
• Experience with HLP's Chameleon software
• Basic knowledge of pet vaccination schedules, animal husbandry, and basic animal health care
• Knowledge in basic animal identifying domestic animal breeds, high level of animal behavior, proper housing, common health problems and high level of safe animal handling.

Core Competencies:

• Data Analytics and Assessment Skills: Ability to use data to analyze community health needs and support decisions that improve community health outcomes.
• Communication Skills: This competency focuses on using clear and effective communication to engage audiences, address misinformation, and build trust, supporting informed decisions and stronger public health outcomes.
• Health Advancement Skills: This competency focuses on applying principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion to public health, addressing systemic barriers, and promoting fair access to resources for healthier communities.
• Community Partnership Skills: This competency focuses on collaborating with communities to address the systems and policies affecting health, fostering engagement, shared ownership, and sustainable improvements in well-being.
• Public Health Science Skills: This competency focuses on using public health science and evidence-based approaches to develop and improve policies and programs, ensuring effective delivery of the 10 Essential Public Health Services.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.
Preferences
Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work or Related Field

Experience:

• At least six (6) months experience in animal welfare
• Experience using HLP Chameleon Shelter Software
• Experience using Business Objects Crystal Reports
• Experience in project management, time management and problem-solving skills

Language:

• Bilingual (English/Spanish)

General Information
Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• This is a full-time position. 40 hours per week.
• Tuesday through Saturday, from 8AM to 5PM.
• Other days and hours as needed based on operational needs.
• Must be willing to flex work hours when required, including weekends.

Work Environment:

• This job operates in an animal shelter, professional office environment, with some field work.
• Consistently exposed to animals and animal allergens under conditions with limited alternative available.
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands:

• Some sedentary duties and some duties would require lifting of heavy animals, bending stooping and long periods of standing/walking.

Work Location:

• Harris County Public Health: Harris County Pets - 612 Canino Rd, Houston, TX 77076.

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.
The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:
Health & Wellness Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
• One (1) floating holiday per year
• Paid Parental Leave*
• Sick Leave

Retirement Savings Benefit

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:

• Professional learning & development opportunities
• Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
• Flexible work schedule*
• METRO RideSponsor Program*

* Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:
01
Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position?

• High School or Equivalent
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or higher
• N/A; No Degree

02
Which of the following best describes your verifiable experience in a position involving customer service, community relations, relationship building or personnel training.(To be considered, the qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)

• Less than 2 years
• 2 years or more
• I do not have this experience.

03
Please provide details about your verifiable experience in a position involving customer service, community relations, relationship building or personnel training.DO NOT USE "Please see Resume" or "See Resume" (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history) Please include your (a) roles, (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilities, (d) employment dates (ex. MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY). If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.
04
This role requires a Valid Driver's License (Texas upon hire). Do you have a Valid Driver's License?

• I have a valid Texas driver's license.
• I have a valid driver's license from another state but can obtain a Texas license upon hire.
• I do not have a valid driver's license.

05
Are you bilingual in English and Spanish? If yes, what is your level of proficiency in Spanish?

• Yes, I am fluent in Spanish (speaking, reading, and writing).
• Yes, I am proficient in conversational Spanish only.
• Yes, I have basic knowledge of Spanish.
• No, I am not bilingual in English and Spanish.

06
Which of the following best describes your verifiable experience in animal welfare?(To be considered, the qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)

• Less than 6 months
• 6 month or more
• I do not have this experience.

07
Please provide details about your verifiable experience in animal welfare.DO NOT USE "Please see Resume" or "See Resume" (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history) Please include your (a) roles, (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilities, (d) employment dates (ex. MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY). If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.
08
What best describes your experience using any animal sheltering software (e.g., HLP Chameleon, Business Objects Crystal Reports)?