Foster & Outreach Coordinator

Animals Friends Humane Society

Job Description

This role is responsible for matching animals with foster caregivers, maintaining communication and records, and serving as a representative of the organization at public events, school visits, and community outreach programs. This position plays a critical part in the shelter’s rebuild and growth strategy, requiring initiative, follow-through, and a passion for both people and animals.
Key Responsibilities

Foster Program Management

● Serve as the primary point of contact for all foster-related activity
● Coordinate placement of shelter animals into foster homes, including matchmaking, communication, and scheduling
● Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in PetPoint for all animals in foster, including notes, vet visit updates, and outcome tracking
● Communicate with foster caregivers regarding medical appointments, vaccine needs, behavioral changes, and adoption transitions
● Collaborate with clinic, behavior, and animal care teams to identify animals appropriate for foster and ensure continuity of care
● Assist in the development and implementation of SOPs, forms, and communication tools to streamline foster processes
● Recruit new foster caregivers and support retention of existing ones through relationship building and regular check-ins

Community Outreach Engagement

● Represent AFHS at community events by hosting information tables and distributing promotional material
● Coordinate and attend outreach events, including school visits, library talks, pet food drives, and community assistance days
● Build and maintain relationships with local rescues, shelters, and other relevant partners to expand placement options and community reach
● Support organizational visibility and public trust by acting as a professional, mission-aligned representative of the shelter
● Work with the communications team to develop outreach messaging and promote events across social platforms and email campaigns
Cross-Department Collaboration
● Work closely with the shelter operations manager and other department leads to ensure foster and outreach efforts align with organizational capacity and flow
● Provide feedback on barriers to foster placement and recommend strategies to increase foster utilization
● Participate in team meetings and contribute to discussions regarding animal flow, population planning, and community engagement strategy

Preferred Qualifications

● 2+ years of experience in animal sheltering, foster coordination, or community outreach
● Prior experience in an open-admission or municipal shelter environment
● Strong working knowledge of companion animal behavior and safe handling techniques
● Excellent verbal and written communication skills
● Proficient in Microsoft Office and shelter management software
● Public speaking or tabling experience at events, schools, or public forums
● Bilingual (Spanish/English) a strong plus
● Valid driver’s license and ability to travel locally for outreach events or foster coordination
● Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed Physical Demands

This role requires both administrative and physical work. The employee must be able to:

● Move throughout the shelter for extended periods
● Lift, carry, or position items weighing up to 50 pounds
● Work indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions
● Handle exposure to loud noise, animal waste, cleaning chemicals, and the risk of bites or scratches
● Stoop, kneel, crouch, climb ladders, and communicate clearly with staff and the public

This is a full time job