Foster Coordinator

Animal Welfare Society

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY: The foster coordinator will be responsible for the full range of duties related to running a foster program, including creating training materials and presentations; recruiting, onboarding and training new foster caregivers; responding to foster questions and concerns; assisting foster caregivers in being ‘adoption ambassadors’, selecting pets for the foster program and processing foster placements; training shelter staff to process foster placements; outcoming pets to foster and adoption; tracking all data associated with the foster program; and addressing conflicts and disputes related to volunteer and foster service.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Collaborate with marketing staff to design a plan for year-round recruitment and implement it to recruit foster volunteers from the general public
• Meet with marketing staff regularly to fine-tune external messaging on fostering and foster recruitment
• Create pleas for foster caregivers for specific pets and contact foster base to ask for their help regularly
• Onboard/train foster volunteers
• Participate in rounds to keep on site teams informed regarding status of animals in foster and to facilitate movement/placement of animals
• Match fosters with animals
• Prepare supplies for foster pickups
• Manage scheduling of pickup/drop-offs/medical appointments
• Manage appointments, setting appropriate expectations for fosters and ensuring they have the information and tools they need to care for a particular animal
• Support fosters with questions/challenges once animal is in the home (including medical/behavior)
• Resolve complaints/concerns from fosters
• Partner with placement team to facilitate adoption of animals in foster
• Maintain status of animals in foster in shelter database
• Create positions for, train and oversee volunteers who assist with the management of the foster program
• Provides post-placement support via telephone, social media and e-mail
• Creating and implementing a system for marketing pets from foster homes, ensure that foster caregivers have the information they need to do this and that pets in foster homes are being adequately marketed
• Manage multiple types of foster care programs, such as field trips, overnights, fospice, etc.
• Remain knowledgeable and in compliance with AWS Personnel Guidelines,
applicable State and Federal laws and AWS policies, procedures, and programs

EXPERIENCE/ATTRIBUTES DESIRED:
● Previous experience as a foster or rescue coordinator in an animal shelter or rescue
● Strong customer service skills
● Demonstrated experience working with volunteers in a community-service based field such as education, parks, social work, animal welfare or a related field
● Demonstrated experience in animal care and handling cats and/or dogs in a high stress environment
● Knowledge of best practices in lifesaving, progressive animal welfare
● Excellent oral and written communication skills
● Comfortable with shifting priorities based on foster and animal needs