Foster Care & Transfer Coordinator, Animal Welfare League of Arlington Virginia, Arlington, VA
Animal Welfare League of Arlington Virginia -
Arlington, VA,
US
Foster Care & Transfer Coordinator
Date Posted: 2024-06-16
Job description
Benefits: We offerpremium medical benefits, dental and vision insurance; separate vacation and sick time accruals, 12 annual paid holidays plus 3 annual floating holidays; flexible working hours and the opportunity to work remotely a few days per week for qualified positions. After 2 years of employment, employees qualify for a retirement contribution of 7%. This position also qualifies for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and the League pays a salary bonus for language ability in: Arabic, Mandarin, Sign Language, Spanish or Vietnamese. Plus, free pet adoptions, pet vaccines and more!!
Summary: The Foster & Transfer Coordinator will primarily be responsible for the League's Dog and Small Companion Animal foster & transfer program. This position uplifts the foster program by (1) supporting & implementing foster policies, procedures, recruitment, coordination, training & retention of the foster families in our network (2) ensuring each animal and foster family's experience with the League is rewarding and successful and (3) cultivating professional relationships with shelter and rescue partners saving pets in danger of euthanasia and preventing undue time spent in shelters. The ideal candidate enjoys working in a fast paced, busy environment and finds working with people as enjoyable as with animals. This is a full-time position with a salary range of $18.50 - $20.50 per hour.
Responsibilities include the following however other duties may be assigned:
Foster Family Recruitment & Support
Qualifications:
Typical physical & mental demands: Requires frequent bending, reaching, stooping, kneeling, walking/standing, eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, telephone, photocopier, calculator and other equipment or machinery. Will have exposure to injured and deceased animals, disinfectant solutions, and variable indoor and outdoor temperatures. May assist in animal restraint and deal with distressed or dangerous animals, and could be subject to bites and scratches. Requires manual dexterity to keep a strong animal on leash or operating a door while holding a strong animal on leash simultaneously. May be required to lift heavy items or animals (upwards of 50 lbs) and be otherwise physically active. Requires normal range of hearing and eyesight to communicate with the public, volunteers, staff, and animals. Also requires flexibility and adaptability to work with frequent interruptions. Must be comfortable around dogs, cats, small companion animals, reptiles, amphibians and wildlife.
Vaccination requirement: Upon hire, employees will be required to receive rabies prophylaxis and tetanus vaccinations.
We welcome applications from people of color, indigenous people, LGBTQ individuals, and other communities that have been marginalized and disproportionately impacted by violence and abuse. We aim to maintain a diverse and dynamic workforce and are committed to providing equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment and promotions without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, age, national origin, disability, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis and positions remain posted until filled. No phone inquiries, please. The Animal Welfare League of Arlington is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Summary: The Foster & Transfer Coordinator will primarily be responsible for the League's Dog and Small Companion Animal foster & transfer program. This position uplifts the foster program by (1) supporting & implementing foster policies, procedures, recruitment, coordination, training & retention of the foster families in our network (2) ensuring each animal and foster family's experience with the League is rewarding and successful and (3) cultivating professional relationships with shelter and rescue partners saving pets in danger of euthanasia and preventing undue time spent in shelters. The ideal candidate enjoys working in a fast paced, busy environment and finds working with people as enjoyable as with animals. This is a full-time position with a salary range of $18.50 - $20.50 per hour.
Responsibilities include the following however other duties may be assigned:
Foster Family Recruitment & Support
- Recruit, supervise and motivate foster caregivers
- Collaborate with supervisor & colleagues to improve the process, protocols and support for foster families including communication, training & inclusion.
- Ensure foster families are appreciated on a regular basis, provided friendly, respectful guidance and opportunities to contribute by communicating with them regularly
- Promote a strong commitment to teamwork, customer service, consistent standards and development of all aspects of the foster program
- Ensure foster families receive timely support, information and the tools they need to succeed
- Provide transparent and consistent messaging about sensitive shelter decision making subjects such as medical treatments, euthanasia and others; provide support to foster families when these sensitive subjects arise
- Keep foster families updated on program enhancements, challenges, policies and protocols
- Monitor needed vaccines, surgeries, health and behavior of animals in foster care; report findings and coordinate any needed actions with the appropriate staff (medical team, behavior, animal control, adoptions, etc.)
- Collaborate with AWLA staff as needed to plan, develop and implement activities related to the foster care program
- Assist in utilizing social media (Facebook, Instagram, etc.) to recruit new foster families and maintain the foster social media network
- Manage and maintain foster family contact information, schedules and participation
- Maintain inventory of foster supplies and materials
- Update information in Petpoint to reflect current animal information
- Create network of transfer partners to ensure best possible outcomes and prevent over capacity within our shelter population
- Be proactive in helping provide the best outcome for shelter animals
- Manage the League's transfer-in program with other shelters and rescues; ensure MOU's and agreements are current and up to date
- Collect and file all bite disclosures, ensure a hold is placed in PetPoint and all disclosers are included in the animals physical and electronic files
- Coordinate dog and small companion animal managed intakes from outside of Arlington County when space permits; monitor daily shelter population to determine space
- Cultivate relationships with [partner shelters and recuses; innovate ways to help animals in need
- Track statistics and submit results to supervisor
- Understand and adhere to the League's policies and procedures
- Ensure a safe work environment; follow safety guidelines and model safe work practices
- Take immediate action to address any safety concerns that could put staff, volunteers, shelter animals, foster families, other members of the public or the organization at risk
- Practice and encourage the humane treatment of animals
- Follow direction from managers, directors and CEO
Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- General knowledge of animal behavior and care or qualifying work experience
- Ability and skill to successfully work with various types of animals in a safe, responsible manner
- Commitment to positive reinforcement handling and training methods
- Ability to work on multiple projects and meet deadlines
- Ability to work independently as well as with others in a wide variety of circumstances and with a diverse group of individuals
- Ability to maintain calm, composed and positive in stressful, sensitive or emergency situations
- Excellent customer service and counselling skills in person and over the phone
- Creative forward thinker with a focus on problem solving
- Flexible schedule with the ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, non-standard hours and overtime when needed; this position is required to carry the "on-call" after hours cell phone a minimum of 5 nights per week (additional compensation is provided at $35 per on call night)
- Strong computer literacy and proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite; experience with shelter database helpful but not required
- Valid driver's license and clean driving record
- Ability to maintain discretion with confidential information
- Have a passion for the mission and a deep commitment to the goals of the organization
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills helpful but not required
Typical physical & mental demands: Requires frequent bending, reaching, stooping, kneeling, walking/standing, eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, telephone, photocopier, calculator and other equipment or machinery. Will have exposure to injured and deceased animals, disinfectant solutions, and variable indoor and outdoor temperatures. May assist in animal restraint and deal with distressed or dangerous animals, and could be subject to bites and scratches. Requires manual dexterity to keep a strong animal on leash or operating a door while holding a strong animal on leash simultaneously. May be required to lift heavy items or animals (upwards of 50 lbs) and be otherwise physically active. Requires normal range of hearing and eyesight to communicate with the public, volunteers, staff, and animals. Also requires flexibility and adaptability to work with frequent interruptions. Must be comfortable around dogs, cats, small companion animals, reptiles, amphibians and wildlife.
Vaccination requirement: Upon hire, employees will be required to receive rabies prophylaxis and tetanus vaccinations.
We welcome applications from people of color, indigenous people, LGBTQ individuals, and other communities that have been marginalized and disproportionately impacted by violence and abuse. We aim to maintain a diverse and dynamic workforce and are committed to providing equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment and promotions without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, age, national origin, disability, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis and positions remain posted until filled. No phone inquiries, please. The Animal Welfare League of Arlington is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.