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Adoption Worker Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

Arizona State Hospital

Job Page

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$47K/yr

Provides training/technical assistance to adoptive parents and adoption workers on department policies/procedures. Provides DCS permanency staff with ongoing information regarding the adoption ...

Arizona State Hospital

Job Page

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$47K/yr

Provides training/technical assistance to adoptive parents and adoption workers on department policies/procedures. Provides DCS permanency staff with ongoing information regarding the adoption ...

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All JobsAdoption Worker JobsAdoption Worker Jobs in Arizona

Adoption Worker information

See Arizona salary details

$10.3K

$40.2K

$48.5K

How much do adoption worker jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for adoption worker in Arizona is $40,204.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $35,900.00 and $48,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an adoption worker?

Adoption Workers are professionals who help facilitate the legal and emotional process of placing children with adoptive families. They assess the needs of children and prospective parents, conduct home studies, provide counseling, and support families throughout the adoption process. Their role is to ensure the best interests of the child are met, guide families through legal requirements, and offer ongoing support after the adoption is finalized.

What does an adoption worker do?

An Adoption Worker helps coordinate the adoption process for aspiring adoptive parents. You are responsible for guiding clients through the various stages of the process, starting with screening the parents looking to adopt a child, explaining the required paperwork and regulations, and working with them to find a parent putting their child up for adoption. You coordinate with other stakeholders, including therapists and teachers, and document findings and ensure all relevant paperwork is current and submitted to the appropriate state authorities. Once a match has been confirmed, Adoption Workers provide support for the adoptive parents, giving frequent updates to waiting parents while the process moves forward, assisting with family support and education while the new child transitions into the home, and helping ensure the well-being of adopted children. Job duties typically include monthly home visits.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an adoption worker, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Adoption Worker, you need a background in social work or a related field, often requiring a bachelor's or master's degree and state licensure. Familiarity with case management software, documentation systems, and knowledge of relevant child welfare laws is essential. Strong interpersonal skills, empathy, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to communicate effectively with families and children are crucial soft skills. These competencies are vital for ensuring the best outcomes for children, supporting adoptive families, and navigating complex legal and emotional adoption processes.

How does an adoption worker typically collaborate with other professionals during the adoption process?

Adoption Workers frequently work as part of a multidisciplinary team, coordinating with social workers, legal professionals, counselors, and healthcare providers to ensure the well-being of children and prospective adoptive families. They facilitate communication between parties, attend case conferences, and share updates to address each child's unique needs. This collaborative environment helps Adoption Workers provide comprehensive support, navigate complex regulations, and advocate effectively for the best interests of the child throughout the adoption journey.

What is the difference between Adoption Worker vs Social Worker?

AspectAdoption WorkerSocial Worker
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Social Work (BSW or MSW), certification often preferredBachelor's or Master's in Social Work (BSW or MSW), licensure varies by state
Work EnvironmentChild welfare agencies, adoption centers, private agenciesHospitals, schools, government agencies, community organizations
Employer & Industry UsageSpecialized in adoption services within child welfareBroader scope including family, mental health, and community services

Adoption Workers focus specifically on facilitating and supporting adoption processes, working closely with birth families and adoptive parents. Social Workers have a broader role, addressing various social issues, including child welfare, mental health, and community support. While both roles require similar credentials, Adoption Workers specialize in adoption-related cases, whereas Social Workers handle a wider range of social services.

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For Adoption Worker jobs in Arizona, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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The top searched job categories for Adoption Worker jobs in Arizona are:

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Adoption Worker jobs near you
Infographic showing various Adoption Worker job openings in Arizona as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,204 per year, or $19.3 per hour.

Adoption Counselor

Tucson, AZ • On-site

Humane Society of Southern Arizona
Non-Profits • 1 - 10 employees
Learn more about Humane Society of Southern Arizonaexternal

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

EOE Statement
It is the policy of the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, Inc. to provide all persons with equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other factor protected by law.
Category
Animal Care
Description
Under direct supervision, performs the day-to-day operational duties of the HSSA Adoption Lobby/PAWSH store, including animal care, customer service, cash handling, retail merchandising, and facilities cleaning and restocking. Ensures the constant humane care and handling of all animals. Responsible for providing and maintaining excellent customer service relations between staff and the public at-large and HSSA employees and volunteers. Perform retail sales of merchandise at the main campus PAWSH or Park Place PAWSH.
Essential duties and Responsibilities:
  • Represent the Humane Society of Southern Arizona in a professional, polite and enthusiastic manner.
  • Provide welcoming service by greeting and assisting guests, and responding to guest inquiries and complaints to ensure excellent levels of customer service are maintained at all times.
  • Provide appropriate counseling on animal care, animal behaviors, introduction of a new pet into the home, etc. to potential adopters at the time of adoption.
  • Match potential adopters with a shelter animal or other HSSA programs in accordance to open adoption practices.
  • Facilitate and evaluate dog to dog meet and greets and human and shelter pet meet and greets.
  • Participate in dog playgroups and cat socialization.
  • Process adoption paperwork, including Microchip forms, Adoption Contracts, Medical Waivers and the Adoption Checklist.
  • Promote repeat business and word-of-mouth advertising through the building of excellent customer relations.
  • Promote 501c3 status; competitive prices, tax-free and all proceeds go back to the shelter to help more HSSA animals.
  • Maintains a comprehensive knowledge of all PAWSH merchandise.
  • Offers knowledgeable advice to adopters and all guests, about what their pet needs to go home and what enrichment the pet might want, to keep them as returning customers. (More than just leashes and collars)
    • Help the guest select food, harnesses, bowls, bedding, toys, grooming tools, training and enrichment supplies
  • Enforce and maintain safety and cleanliness, and all health and security rules and procedures.
  • Participate in and ensure the fundamentals of animal care including all record and reporting procedures, the safe handling and transportation of animals, and the proper cleaning and maintenance of the shelter facilities.
  • May load animals in transport vehicles and take from Shelter to Off-Site location.
  • Maintain cooperative, reciprocal relationships with all On and Off-Site location personnel.
  • Participate in Adoption Events for HSSA as assigned.
  • Observe animal health problems and refer for proper care and treatment.
  • Coordinate all animal care procedures with Leads to ensure that best practices are followed and maintained.
  • Coordinate all customer service complaints with Lead to ensure that best practices are followed and maintained.
  • Provide enrichment to animals as directed by Manager.
  • Organize and maintain all materials necessary for adoption of animals, including but not limited to applications, contracts, office supplies, and educational and promotional materials.
  • Responsible for the safety of the animals and the public.
  • Perform customer service to the standards set forth in HSSA's employee manual.
  • May drive shelter vehicle in performance of shelter business.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions: Work is performed at an animal shelter in lobby/kennel/cat room areas. Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases, high noise levels, hazardous chemicals, and sharp objects, lift up to 50 lb. Job requires bending, stooping and reaching. Potential exposure of infectious diseases to owned animals.
Position Requirements
Performance Factors and Necessary Skills:
  • Communication and Contact: The Adoption Counselor communicates effectively both verbally and in writing with superiors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside of HSSA and has tact and above average communication and customer service skills.
  • Attendance and Dependability: The Adoption Counselor can be depended on to report to work at the scheduled time and is seldom absent from work and can be depended upon to complete work in a timely, accurate, and thorough manner and is conscientious about assignments.
  • Relationships with Others: The Adoption Counselor works effectively and relates well with others including superiors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside of HSSA and exhibits a professional manner in dealing with others and works to maintain constructive working relationships.

Skills:
  • Demonstrated Excellent Customer Service
  • Typing, computer and general office work experience
  • Knowledge of phone etiquette.
  • Willingness to make and receive phone calls.
  • Knowledge of simple business mathematics skills and accurate record keeping.
  • Considerable knowledge of breed identification.
  • Preferred animal handling.

Qualifications/Educational Background:
  • High School graduate with customer service experience.
  • Experience in the care and handling of animals preferred
  • Possession of a valid Arizona driver's license and driving record acceptable to HSSA insurance carrier.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions or qualifications associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change, for example, emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs, or technological breakdowns in departments.
Full-Time/Part-Time
Full-Time
Compensation & Benefits
15.25
Salary
Temporary
Position
Adoption Counselor
Close Date
Number of Openings
1
Exempt/Non-Exempt
Non-Exempt
Hiring Manager(s)
Kaitlyn Pappas
Location
Humane Society of Southern AZ
About the Organization
The Humane Society of Southern Arizona (HSSA), founded in 1944, is a private, independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) animal welfare organization with the mission of acting with compassion and responsible stewardship through innovative programs that serve pets and the people who love them. HSSA is the largest charitable animal welfare and protection agency in Southern Arizona with 100+ employees and 1300 volunteers. In 2018, HSSA moved into a new state-of the-art animal shelter and spay/neuter clinic.
Vision: A community in which all pets are cared for and loved
As staff of the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, we pledge to be committed to our team as we are to the organizations mission. We will foster a compassionate environment for each other, our volunteers, and the human and animal clients we serve; empowering one another with knowledge, empathy, encouragement and recognition. We aim to eliminate negativity, support positive and effective communication, promote individual and organizational growth, and work as a cohesive team at all times regardless of tenure, position or department.
HSSA values and and champions diversity and inclusion. these values are part of who we are. Together we will continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports and celebrates the diverse voices of our HSSA team and teh communities we serve.
This position is currently accepting applications.

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