Coordinator, Foster Engagement

Summary:

Are you a detail-oriented people-person who thrives in a positive, fast-paced, mission-oriented environment? Do you excel at open, effective communication, cultivating stakeholder relationships and managing dynamic logistics day to day? Are you passionate about animal welfare and the goodness of people and do you possess a strong interest in finding opportunities for people to help dogs and cats in tangible and impactful ways?  If so, you should consider the role of Coordinator, Foster Engagement at the ASPCA Adoption Center in New York City.

The Coordinator, Foster Engagement (the Coordinator) facilitates deep engagement in the mission of the ASPCA through the recruitment, training, management, retention and celebration of hundreds of dedicated foster volunteers.

The ASPCA Adoption Center is dedicated to helping animals by engaging community members directly in the work of caring for animals. You will be a key player in engaging the public as ambassadors for the ASPCA’s mission – through volunteerism, fostering and adoption. You will be a member of a high-performing staff and volunteer team providing care for +/- 3,000 at-risk pets per year and will work collaboratively and effectively with internal and external stakeholders to further the ASPCA’s ultimate desired outcome that all animals live good lives.

The Adoption Center currently provides shelter and adoption for five groups of animals:

• Animal victims of cruelty and neglect brought to us by the NYPD
• Animals brought to us through our Community Engagement team
• Underage kittens and other medically compromised stray animals  
• Animals surrendered by their owners and in need of adoption into new homes
• Animals transferred in from shelter/rescue partners

Using best practices, innovative programming and measurable outcomes, the Coordinator will play a key role in onboarding and engaging foster volunteers in providing critical support for the Adoption Center, Kitten Nursery, ARC and CARE. The Coordinator will effectively cultivate foster volunteer relationships to help maximize the impact of Adoption Center and interdepartmental resources in providing humane care and treatment for ASPCA animals.

To succeed in this role, the Coordinator will possess excellent interpersonal and organizational skills and be committed to foster volunteer training, development, coaching and oversight. The Coordinator will champion canine and feline populations equally and enthusiastically to foster volunteers and be fluent in all aspects of animal well-being. Success also hinges on the Coordinator’s ability to partner effectively with medical, behavior, shelter and placement subject matter experts to ensure holistic, interdisciplinary support for foster volunteers and foster animals. In addition, partnership with the Adoption Center Volunteer team, Kitten Nursery, Animal Recovery Center (ARC) and Canine Annex for Recovery & Enrichment (CARE) will be critical, ensuring high standards in client care and service delivery are met for foster volunteers and foster animals across departments and programs.

*The shift for this role is Sun-Thurs 11-7

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

Foster Volunteer Training and Support (60%)

• With the Sr. Manager of Foster Engagement, facilitate foster volunteer onboarding processes, and play a key role in the design of training, resources and other opportunities to continuously develop foster volunteer skill and capacity.
• Prioritize, uphold and model processes to ensure foster volunteers receive necessary coaching, intervention and support in their care of ASPCA animals.
• Cultivate positive, trusting and productive relationships between staff and foster volunteers; support colleagues in working and communicating effectively with foster volunteers.
• Provide objective, positive and constructive feedback to inform foster volunteers’ experience and performance.
• Equally prioritize the solicitation of foster volunteer feedback on their role, needs and experience.
• Respond effectively, with compassion and in a timely manner, to emergencies involving foster animals and/or foster volunteers, in line with organizational, departmental and foster program guidelines.
• Provide foster volunteers with direct, transparent communication about the purpose, expectations and sensitivities related to their role, and actively build foster volunteer understanding that humane euthanasia may ultimately be the appropriate outcome for some animals.
• Engage foster volunteers in regular communication; prioritize frequent touchpoints to ensure foster animals receive necessary, appropriate and humane care and meet articulated medical and behavioral benchmarks while in foster homes.
• In addition, provide routine and emergent operational and programmatic updates and extend learning and engagement opportunities to foster volunteers.
• Provide exceptional customer service to ASPCA foster volunteers at all times, in all forums.
• Be a consistent, accessible coach and champion for foster volunteers; be available to answer questions, respond with urgency, give and receive feedback, and ensure deep understanding of and compliance with ASPCA policies and operations.

Foster Program Coordination (40%)

• In partnership with the Senior Manager of Foster Engagement, cultivate a culture that engages foster volunteers meaningfully in the comprehensive, safe and effective care of animals in ASPCA foster homes in accordance with shelter operations standards and animal welfare best practices.
• Partner closely with Adoption Center, Kitten Nursery and interdepartmental teams to build and maintain fluency and collaboration across programs.
• With Adoption Center Medical, Behavior, Shelter and Placement teams, support the effective management of capacity for care by ensuring the efficient movement of Adoption Center animals into and out of foster homes.
• Prepare for and attend daily population rounds and lead weekly foster rounds; ensure animal and capacity information flows effectively into and out of rounds to inform departmental and program priorities.
• With the Senior Manager of Foster Engagement, collect and utilize data-driven insights to develop and implement innovative training, engagement, skill-building and feedback strategies for foster volunteers.
• Be a reliable source of expertise and guidance to interdepartmental foster teams in all program areas and a consistent model of programmatic best practices.
• Develop and refine Foster Program guidelines, Job Aids and SOPs in line with ASPCA and Adoption Center standards.
• Reliably collect and maintain program, animal and foster volunteer data in PetPoint, Digital Cheetah, Airtable and other databases as indicated, auditing for accuracy.
• Coordinate all day-to-day logistics to ensure the effective care of animals in foster homes: timely foster animal departure, return and medical appointments, foster volunteer transportation and the provision of necessary supplies.
• Maintain and refine clear and strong communications processes (phone, email, and other technological platforms) with foster volunteers.
• Ensure foster volunteers receive timely medical, behavioral and placement updates, resources and documentation relevant to their care of ASPCA foster animals.
• Proactively and routinely solicit and disseminate foster home observations to interdisciplinary teams.
• Support the development of foster animal promotional materials and foster program communications (e.g.: monthly newsletter content, weekly Bulletins, Facebook Group posts, animal placement pleas).
• Execute day-to-day foster program administrative tasks.
• Maintain Foster Program supply inventory.
• Enlist and oversee routine volunteer administrative support in foster program areas of need.
• Scan for and identify opportunities to create efficiencies in foster programming.
• Act as a moderator of the New York Foster Facebook Group as requested.
• Represent the Foster Program in organizational, departmental and other forums (e.g.: meetings, presentations) as requested.
• Seek and facilitate ongoing opportunities to provide formal and informal foster volunteer recognition, acknowledging and celebrating the contributions of foster volunteers.
• Respond with urgency to operational needs.
• Ensure confidentiality of sensitive information at all times.
• Prioritize animal well-being and safety at all times, in-shelter and in foster homes.
• Provide a safe and compassionate environment for animals in our care, our staff, and for our clients by using low-stress handling techniques.
• Actively seek professional development opportunities to augment skills and knowledge.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Exemplifies the ASPCA’s Core Values:

• Has Commitment and dedication to improving the lives of animals
• Demonstrates Ownership and feels responsible for outcomes
• Believes in Team – that we are stronger together
• Seeks to Elevate others and reimagine what is possible
• Focuses on Impact, specifically making change for animals

Qualifications:

• Exceptional customer service and interpersonal skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excellent decision-making ability and sound judgement; able to act with urgency as emergent situations arise
• Able to work efficiently and calmly under challenging conditions; demonstrate flexibility and multi-tasking capability with work assignments
• Self-motivated with strong accountability – can be relied upon to fully complete tasks in a timely manner
• Able to quickly adjust focus and shift priorities based on Adoption Center, Foster Program, foster volunteer and animal needs
• Able to maintain an open mind regarding change and be willing to learn, implement, and teach new protocols
• Strong and reliable attention to detail
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications
• Familiarity with PetPoint or other shelter software systems a plus
• Familiarity with Digital Cheetah or other volunteer management software systems a plus
• Familiarity with, or ability to learn and use additional software programs, such as MailChimp, Canva and Airtable
• Knowledge of basic animal care
• Commitment to prioritizing animal safety and wellbeing
• Must be comfortable working with, and handling cats and dogs.
• Must be able to bend, stand, lift 30 pounds frequently and engage in repetitive motions throughout a shift
• Fear Free Shelter certification is required within 60 days of hire

Compensation and benefits:

Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, training, experience, location, business needs, internal equity, market demands or budgeted amount for the role. The target hiring range is for new hire offers only, and staff compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. The expected hiring salary range for this role is set forth below and may be modified in the future. 

For hourly roles: The target hiring range for this role is $ 27.41- $28.85 per hour.

The Compensation Team will review internal candidates’ current compensation, to determine if an offer beyond the target hiring range may be applicable. Click here to review the Internal Open Positions Pay Range Sheet

For more information on our benefits offerings, click here.

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If you are interested in joining our team but do not see a position listed that fits your experience or interests, please visit our website to join our Talent Community and stay connected to future opportunities with the ASPCA.

Qualifications:

See above for qualifications details.

  

Language:

English (Required), Spanish

Education and Work Experience:

Bachelors, High School Diploma (Required)

  

Experience with training development and facilitation, a plus, Management experience or volunteer management experience, a plus, Minimum 1 year of experience in a client services, volunteer program, or animal care (e.g. shelter or veterinary practice) setting

Our EEO Policy:

The ASPCA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws.  A reasonable accommodation is a change in the ASPCA’s standard application process, which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on the ASPCA.  Please inform the ASPCA’s People Team if you need an accommodation in order to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.

Individuals seeking employment are considered without regards to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status,  or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.

ASPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V).

About Us:
The ASPCA was founded in 1866 on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment by humans and must be protected under the law. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States.

The ASPCA is headquartered in New York City, where we maintain a full-service animal hospital, spay/neuter clinic, mobile spay/neuter and primary pet care clinics, a rehabilitation center for canine victims of cruelty, kitten nursery, adoption center, and two community veterinary centers.

The ASPCA also operates programs and services that extend nationwide. We assist animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources.

At the ASPCA, we are committed to fostering a collaborative and compassionate culture and we welcome all voices to contribute to our lifesaving mission. Our staff represent a vast array of backgrounds and diversity dimensions, bringing with them valuable experiences and perspectives. They join the ASPCA to learn, grow, and continually do their best work on behalf of animals. We are inspired by our staff, partners, and the communities we support across the country who work to improve animal lives. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion at the ASPCA because it elevates our organizational culture, aligns with our Core Values, and enables us to move further and faster toward the ASPCA’s vision – that all animals live good lives; valued by society, protected by its laws, and free from cruelty, pain and suffering.

Applicants that are residents of Colorado: Per CO Senate Bill 23-058, we cannot generally request or require any age-related information (i.e., age, DOB, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution) on an initial employment application; this includes any age-related inquiries in the initial interview. We are permitted to require/request additional application materials; if those materials contain any age-related information, an applicant may redact the information before submitting an initial employment application.