Foster Coordinator - Philadelphia, United States - ACCT Philly

Description

Foster Coordinator


If you enjoy working with animals and wanted to truly make a difference, we would like to speak with you
Summary

ACCT Philly recognizes that even the best shelter experience is not the preferred one for any animal.

We also recognize that our infrastructure is ill-suited to meet the long-term needs of the 18,000 animals we care for each year.

Through the recruitment, support, and coordination of a team of volunteer foster parents, the Foster Coordinator helps mitigate these challenges, improve the experience of animals in our care, and enhance opportunities for lifesaving.

ACCT Philly's foster parents enable thousands of animals each year to be cared for offsite, whether for a day or for much longer, while recovering from medical conditions, resolving shelter induced behavior concerns, or simply waiting for a home.

The Foster Coordinator oversees this cohort of individuals, ensuring a clear, coordinated effort that maximizes the impact of our foster homes as a resource.

He or she can truly make a difference in the lives of our animals.

Core Responsibilities

• Coordinate the activities of the ACCT Philly Foster program, including day trips and short term foster programs.
• Interact with animals directly to learn about them and their needs in order to match them with foster parents, and obtain video and photos of them for promotion purposes
• Identify animals that would benefit from foster care and promote them to current ACCT fosters, as well as new individuals who may want to become fosters
• Organize and provide foster training, including orientation and advanced skills development that allow fosters to increase or enhance their contribution
• Develop materials to provide support to new and tenured fosters
• In coordination with other Foster personnel, cultivate "lead" foster parents who can help cultivate newer fosters into integral members of the greater foster team
• Identify opportunities for foster recruitment and engage in recruitment activities, with a focus on promoting diversity and inclusion, as well as targeting specific foster care needs
• Maintain an organized, welcoming space for fosters to access supplies, training, etc.
• Collaborate with management and leadership to identify needs and design foster roles to meet them
• Communicate effectively with fosters, ensuring they are made aware of updates, news, and needs in a timely way
• Act as point person for fosters; receive, respond to, and forward inquiries as appropriate
• Investigate and respond to concerns from or about fosters
• Promote a collaborative, community approach by providing opportunities for foster recognition and thanks, social connection, and broader engagement
• Maintain accurate foster files, removing inactive fosters and reengaging where possible
• Maintain accurate foster animal inventories, following up on animals with long foster lengths of stay and closing out records where appropriate
• In conjunction with management, identify annual goals which exceed the previous year's and develop strategies to meet them
• Other duties as assigned by management

Work Environment

ACCT Philly is open to the public 10am to 6pm daily including on weekends and holidays.

A team member may have as many as 300 interactions with the public in a given day, including with volunteers and rescue partners.

The shelter operates at a fast pace, and team members are exposed to odors and high levels of noise while performing their job.

Qualifications:

Passion for the mission of ACCT Philly and an ability to articulate it effectively.

Strong interpersonal and organizational skills; enjoys interacting with people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences

Confident giving direction; comfortable managing strong, passionate personalities.

Highly motivated self-starter who can work independently and on a team; able to train others.

Demonstrated ability to speak effectively before large groups and communicate effectively both orally and in writing; demonstrates flexibility and is willing to adjust work schedule or flow to meet the needs of the organization.

Education and Work Experience

High school diploma or equivalent required; bilingual preferred; experience as an animal shelter volunteer or foster parent a plus

Hours/Status

This is a full-time position, averaging a minimum of eight (8) hours per day, forty (40) hours per week.

Work schedule including days and hours may vary according to the needs of the organization, may include weekends, nights, and holidays.

This position is FLSA exempt status. This is a non-Union position.

Compensation

$35,840 annually, plus benefits package, paid time off - FLSA Status: Exempt


Immediate Supervisor:
Lifesaving Supervisor

Introductory Assessment Period

The introductory assessment period runs from the date of hire for 90 days thereafter. For employment in any position with ACCT Philly, this introductory assessment period is the period during which the specif