Job Relationship: Reports to Programs Manager. Works closely with Behavior staff, Rescue Coordinator, Medical staff, adoption counselors and volunteers.

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Position Summary: Serves as primary contact and coordinator for the dog foster program. Functions as a vital member of the Programs team and works to place dogs and puppies in temporary homes in preparation for adoption. Provides resources, training, and follow up to all foster parents. Serves as a primary contact for emergency foster care situations.

Manages foster appointment calendar in conjunction with Cat Foster Coordinator for regular check- ups and ensures all animals are vaccinated and spayed as appropriate.

Employees in this position are required to receive a pre-exposure rabies vaccination upon employment and receive boosters as required thereafter. A typical work week may include weekends.

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Responsibilities

• Responsible for recruiting new foster families to temporarily house dogs and puppies to help with shelter space constraints, raise litters to adoptable age, heal sick and injured dogs, or work on mild to moderate behavioral concerns in a home environment
• Matches foster families with the appropriate animals and provides resources and information to properly care for them
• Maintains updated foster protocols and information packets and holds training classes to teach new families about foster as appropriate
• Coordinates the transfer of animals from BARCS to foster families and, when possible, ensures the family has appropriate supplies so the animals’ needs can be met
• Works closely with Programs, Animal Care and Veterinary staff to ensure appropriate animals in need that are housed at BARCS are promoted for foster care
• Works closely with Rescue Coordinator to evaluate dogs for various programs and live outcomes
• Works closely with Behavioral staff to put together cohesive training plans consistent with in shelter training policies including foster training classes, playgroups, and evaluations
• Coordinates with Offsite team to schedule foster dogs for adoption events
• Tracks statistics and reports as required by Programs Manager and Executive Director
• Maintains foster appointment schedule to ensure that all foster homes have the dog(s) vaccinated and altered in a timely fashion
• Maintains and organizes a list of foster family requirements and availability
• Oversees the input and maintenance of foster data in appropriate databases, including photos and descriptions
• Follows all safety guidelines to ensure a safe foster home experience for foster volunteers and animals. Takes immediate action to address any safety concerns or noncompliance of safety rules.
• Conducts follow up activities with foster homes to ensure quality control and compliance with program policies and achievement of goals
• Provides coverage for Rescue Coordinator, sending urgent pleas on Rescue Coordinators scheduled days off
• Conducts special projects related to community wide foster efforts
• Responsible for being on the on-call rotation for foster emergencies
• Assists with vaccines and wellness visits and data entry as appropriate

• Other duties as assigned

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred
• Experience in animal behavior, handling, and care in the shelter environment, including those with health and behavioral challenges
• Comfortable with administering vaccines, microchips, and medical testing
• Able to perform physical work; bending, lifting, walking and standing for up to 10 hours a day
• Needs excellent written and verbal communication skills and customer service skills
• Able to follow instructions and communicate clearly to others
• Able to work efficiently on a computer and with social media
• Must be able to work flexible hours including nights and weekends
• Able to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment with a variety of people
• Able to work independently and be highly motivated
• Must be detail oriented and able to prioritize and perform duties efficiently and effectively
• Committed to maintaining BARCS’ high standard of animal care and mission

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an animal shelter that operates seven days a week, with exposure to conditions such as dust, wetness, odors, high noise levels, etc. Similar work is also conducted offsite/outside for this position with all types of weather related conditions. Work requires physical exertion such as, but not limited to, standing for long periods of time, sitting for long periods of time doing adminis