Department / Classification: Foster / Non-Exempt; Union
Reports To: Chief Veterinary Officer
Supervises: None
JOB SUMMARY: This position will provide general oversight of the Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County’s Foster Care Program that cares for over 1,000 animals annually. The post holder supports the shelter professionally and consistently and has responsibility for recruiting, training, maintaining and managing an extensive base of volunteer foster families who can provide temporary housing for foster animals. The post has responsibility for maintaining accurate records; program reporting; program budget and resource management.
SALARY: The full pay range for this step-progression position is $24.57- $29.49 per hour. New employees begin at Step 1 of the pay progression, which is $24.57 hourly. Current HSTPC employees starting rate of pay will be based on the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & FUNCTIONS :
- Develop and implement foster care program work plans, goals, and objectives.
- Work directly with shelter leads and veterinary staff to facilitate appropriate rehabilitation or maintenance for foster animals.
- Develop, coordinate, schedule and lead foster care on-boarding; update training manuals and related training materials.
- Recruit, interview and screen fosters and match applicants with program needs. Supervise volunteers, assign, train and evaluate work of volunteers.
- Evaluate foster programs and conduct needs assessment. Compile data, prepare reports on the Foster Care Program and recommend changes for improvement.
- Coordinate foster animal’s ongoing care and disposition with foster care providers, veterinary team and shelter leads.
- Reports to Chief Veterinary Officer regularly to measure, analyze, and implement strategies to meet current and future needs for our foster care program.
- Deals with emails, phone calls, telemedicine events, and visitors professionally and promptly.
- Safely and humanely handles and/or restrains animals, including those of unknown health and temperament.
- Work with the Marketing and Development Team and Customer Service to promote the shelter and facilitate adoptions.
- Manage on-call foster care during scheduled hours.
- Maintain equipment in working condition, report equipment or supply needs to the Chief Veterinary Officer.
- Maintain work and general areas in an organized manner.
- Represent HSTPC well by providing excellent customer service.
- Acknowledges, understands, and follows procedures and policies of the HSTPC.
- Attend and participate in departmental and shelter meetings as required.
- Work with all team members efficiently and respectfully to ensure a cooperative team environment across all departments.
- Report any safety hazards or unsafe use of the HSTPC equipment to a safety committee and the supervisor immediately.
- Obtain general knowledge of essential shelter operations in all departments.
- Place animals in approved foster homes with goal of 24 hours or less.
- Ensure follow-up appointments and care plans are set and adhered to.
- Schedule S/N and other surgery events, coordinate external veterinary care.
- Utilize computer database for tracking foster homes, animals, and conditions.
- Perform adoption counseling and coordinate adoptions from foster homes.
- Ensure the five freedoms are being met for each animal in foster homes.
- Participate in Shelter Rounds and create/complete task lists for foster animals.
- Participate in Pathway Planning Committee and animal outcome decisions.
- Coordinate foster placement of transfers, surrenders and legal case animals.
- Manage foster program budget and supplies, maintain inventory.
- Performs other duties as assigned/required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Available to work weekends, holiday shifts and overtime as needed.
- Friendly, polite and professional manner and a team-player.
- Ability to multitask and work in a fast-paced, unpredictable environment.
- The ability to deal with a diverse public on multiple media platforms, telephone and in-person is required.
- Ability to build alliances with community organizations and agencies as needed.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with volunteers, rescues, staff and any organizational stakeholders.
- Excellent oral, written, and technology communication skills.
- Excellent organizational skills.
- Must possess a valid and unrestricted Washington state driver’s license with a clean DMV record for the past three (3) years.
- Needs a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Must be dependable, have proven ability to meet deadlines and follow detailed instructions without need of constant support.
Education/Certification:
- High school diploma or equivalent. Prefer the completion of a two or four-year accredited college or university with computer training or experience.
- Proven computer skills including Word, Excel, Teams, PowerPoint, and ideally Chameleon, Pet Triage, Acuity and Microsoft Office suite of programs.
- Fear Free for Shelter certification within 60 days of hire.
Experience:
- Preference will be given for experience with an animal shelter and working within an animal Foster program.
- Preference will be given to persons with knowledge in animal health, behavior and well-being to include nutrition needs, resources for information, knowledge of common animal diseases. Ability to identify animal species, breeds, age, and sexes. Ability to identify signs of animal illnesses and injuries.
- Broader experience in animal welfare and/or customer service helpful.
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