About the position
The Humane Society for Southwest Washington is currently seeking a Foster Care Coordinator to join our team. This is a full-time, FLSA nonexempt opportunity. Since 1897, The Humane Society for Southwest Washington (HSSW) has been caring for the animals of Southwest Washington and the surrounding area. We are a donor-supported non-profit with public contracts. Our mission is to rescue, return, restore, rehome, and reconnect one animal at a time. We also own and operate ReTails Thrift Store - the premiere Southwest Washington thrifting experience. Proceeds from ReTails support animal care and shelter operations. Path Forward 2025 is an exciting and ambitious strategic plan focused on five strategic pillars: lifesaving pathways for animals, keeping people and pets together, thriving workforce, mission expansion and leveraging technology. Through these efforts we will build a community low-cost veterinary clinic, behavior and education center and improve animal spaces. We will expand programs and resources for the community allowing people and pets to stay together. People bring our mission to life each day. We are committed to a diverse, healthy, and engaged team of employees and volunteers who strive for excellence, treat one another with kindness, and provide quality and compassionate care for the pets and people we serve.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with fellow Foster Care Coordinator ensuring smooth operations, effective communication, and high-quality support for foster volunteers and animals.
- Arrange the timely placement of animals into suitable foster homes, aligning with foster volunteers’ skills and availability, while ensuring the prompt return of foster animals for adoption or spay/neuter procedures.
- Maintain foster communication postings and medical/behavioral records for animals in the foster program, while tracking and reporting progress to ensure compliance with organizational standards.
- Enhance foster volunteer and foster mentor participation through prompt communication, appointment scheduling support, events, and hands on training.
- Work in-tandem with Shelter Operations Leadership and the Behavior Team to identify animals that would benefit from foster placement, foster-based adoption programs, and assist in developing training plans to support each animals' needs.
- Update and implement trainings, protocols, and SOPs to meet the changing needs of the animals in our Foster Program.
- Ensure compliance with foster & animal care procedures to confirm animals receive proper supplies, medical treatment, socialization, and rehabilitation to re-enter the adoption program efficiently.
- Maintain an inventory of Foster Program supplies and participate in department budget planning.
- Operate company vehicles to transport foster animals. Open/close facility as needed.
Requirements
- Minimum of one year of experience in customer service, conflict resolution, scheduling, or coordinating, with strong people skills, emotional intelligence, and possess effective communication and computer skills.
- Knowledge of animal health and welfare, including identifying breeds, health indicators, and behavioral issues; experience with canine and feline behavior preferred.
- Familiarity with neonate care and rewards-based training is a plus.
- Must hold a Washington or Oregon driver’s license with an insurable driving record.
- Euthanasia Technician Certification: certification must be obtained within 6 months of employment, training provided.
Benefits
- Health, dental, and vision insurance benefits that become effective the first of the month after hire.
- Matching percentage 401 (k) retirement plan that begins the first month after hire, has a 3-year graded vestment schedule and a ROTH contribution option.
- Employee assistance program for all household member access.
- Section 125 FSA Cafeteria Plan for out-of-pocket health and/or dependent day care expenses.
- Numerous employee discounts and discounts with partner organizations.
- Access to affordable life, disability, and accidental supplemental insurance.
- As a 501c3 non-profit organization, full-time employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness with the potential to eliminate student loans within 10 years!
- Paid Time Off (PTO) at a rate of 2 hours for every 40 hours worked, including additional paid time for floating holidays, bereavement leave, pet bereavement leave, and jury duty pay.
