Manager, Volunteers and Foster

Summary:

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:   

Functional Duties  

• Oversee the day-to-day functions of the R&R Center’s Volunteer Program  

• Participate in the recruitment and training of volunteers and fosters   

• Provide regular touchpoints and engagement opportunities for all volunteers and fosters  

• Engage and support an active pool of fosters willing to bring dogs, many with medical and/or behavioral needs, into their homes temporarily  

• Work closely with volunteers and fosters to determine how their skills and experience can be best put to use, acknowledging and celebrating their unique contributions to the organization’s mission   

• Serve as the primary point of contact for volunteers and fosters, proactively checking in to maintain engagement   

• Arrange and assign volunteer tasks to ensure a meaningful and enjoyable experience that lessens the load for R&R Center staff and increases the R&R Center’s capacity  

• Collaborate across areas to determine where, when, and how volunteers can be most helpful  

• Collaborate with colleagues across all areas of the R&R Center to match animals with appropriate foster homes, based on the foster’s capacity and the animal’s needs  

• Schedule volunteer shifts to meet the needs of the R&R Center, adapting quickly as the volunteer pool’s availability and the Center’s needs change   

• Work alongside volunteers on their tasks, building a sense of belonging and inclusivity among volunteers and between volunteers and staff   

• Oversee foster drop-off and pick-up scheduling in collaboration with colleagues across areas  

• Gather and provide all needed foster supplies so that fosters and the dogs they bring home are set up for success from the outset  

• Facilitate communication between fosters and appropriate staff members to maintain a steady flow of animals into foster homes, and excellent and timely communication around medical and/or behavioral issues  

• Coordinate with fosters to collect photos, videos, and additional information for treatment and placement purposes  

• Build trust and open communication by directly addressing performance issues and/or safety concerns as they arise, leading with kindness and coaching   

• Actively listen to volunteer and foster suggestions and concerns, responding quickly and meaningfully, bringing suggestions to the Senior Manager, Volunteers & Foster, as appropriate     

• Monitor and evaluate volunteer performance, providing kind and clear feedback when appropriate  

• Provide structured and equitable training opportunities for volunteers and fosters to increase their levels of responsibility as their skill and experience increases   

• Provide regular training for R&R Center staff to keep them informed of volunteer policies and procedures and to provide guidance for building strong staff-volunteer relationships   

• Coordinate R&R Center staff for volunteer or foster training presentations and shadowing opportunities   

• Provide volunteers and fosters with plentiful opportunities to be mentored, coached, and to train in new skills or interest areas   

• Seek out professional development and collaboration opportunities to continually improve and update volunteer and foster programs  

• Support the coverage of the Senior Manager, Volunteers and Foster in their absence  

  

Administrative and Operational Duties  

• Ensure volunteers and fosters understand and adhere to standard operating procedures, protocols, and regulatory requirements, and maintain accurate records of compliance activities  

• Assist in managing the volunteer and foster databases, as well as volunteer and foster materials to ensure they are current and readily available   

• Provide ongoing recognition and plan appreciation events for volunteers and fosters  

• Maintain a variety of communication avenues to meet the needs of R&R Center volunteers and fosters, keeping them informed and engaged, and providing full transparency around euthanasia decisions   

• Attend and meaningfully contribute to all relevant R&R Center and ASPCA meetings  

• Accurately track and report time worked, time off, and work-related expenses    

• Responsibly steward R&R Center assets    

• Transport animals and supplies as needed 

 

Qualifications  

• Valid driver’s license and ability to pass a motor vehicle history check demonstrating safe driving   

• Fluent in the use of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint  

• Excellent written and oral communication skills  

• Able to regularly witness animals suffering medically and/or behaviorally ; Comfortable with humane euthanasia in theory and in practice    

• Displays concern for the safety and well-being of self, animals and others, especially under stress   

• Builds strong collaborative work relationships based on trust, respect, and listening to understand   

• Freely and generously shares knowledge, skills, and expertise with others; Demonstrates genuine interest in the thoughts, ideas, and expertise of others    

• Proactively 

• Flexible; can easily adapt to changes and help others do the same; problem-solves and takes appropriate initiative to implement solutions       

• Resilient; bounces back from difficult and disappointing situations quickly   

• Cultivates a climate in which diverse perspectives are solicited, encouraged, valued, and respected    

• Ability to set a clear direction and inspire others to work towards shared goals   

• Sets a high standard by leading with transparency, integrity, honesty and strong ethical principles   

• Views conflict as generative, using disagreement to drive innovation, improve communication, clarify and articulate values, and build stronger relationships    

• Values training, coaching, and education for self, volunteers, and team, ensuring ample access to learning opportunities    

• Work takes place in a variety of environments and weather conditions, including indoor climate-controlled spaces where it may be noisy and outdoors where surfaces may be wet or uneven and extreme heat, cold, or precipitation is possible   

• Ability to sit for extended periods while working at a desk or computer   

• Ability to lift and carry animals (50 pounds unassisted, 100 pounds with assistance) and equipment, such as food bags, bedding, and cleaning supplies   

• Comfort and ability to handle and restrain animals safely and humanely, particularly in stressful situations    

• Ability to work in a physically demanding environment that requires standing, walking, bending, squatting, and/or kneeling for extended periods of time   

• Work involves exposure to chemical and biological hazards such as medications, cleaning products, urine, feces, blood, and sharp objects    

• Ability to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment, including but not limited to disposable coveralls, respirators or face masks, and booties  

• Ability to exemplify ASPCA’s core values and behavioral competencies  

 

Education and Work Experience 

• High School Diploma, GED or equivalent experience required 

• 3 years of professional experience in administrative and client-facing roles required 

• Experience managing paid staff or volunteers strongly preferred  

• 2 years of experience working in an animal shelter preferred 

• Animal shelter volunteer management preferred 

• Animal first aid skills preferred 

• Experience with shelter software systems a plus 

• Experience with volunteer management software a plus 

• Experience with Salesforce or similar software a plus 

• Fear Free® Shelter Program certification (approximately 5 hours) required or completed within 60 days of hire   

  

Language:

English (Required)

Education and Work Experience:

High School Diploma, GED, or Equivalent Experience (Required)