Foster Manager

Position Title: Foster Manager

Reporting To: Pet Resource Center Director

Compensation: $41,000-$65,000/year DOE

Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt

The Humane Society of Utah is seeking a Foster Manager to oversee foster staff and volunteers, manage foster programs, ensure the humane treatment of animals, and coordinate placements efficiently, requiring leadership, program management, and strong communication skills, with on-call responsibilities.

Work Schedule

• Position includes weekday, weekend and holiday hours requiring a flexible work schedule depending on needs.
• Hours and days are subject to change based on department demands.

Under the direction of the Resource Center Director in all activities and responsibilities, the Foster Manager assumes the responsibility for supervising foster staff and volunteers and ensures the safe and humane treatment of all animals while upholding the highest standard of care. 

The Foster Manager is responsible for the success of our foster program, ensuring that foster volunteers are effectively utilized.  The Foster Manager and Volunteer Manager work together closely to ensure workflow between these two key programs is coordinated. This is a highly visible leadership position that requires a can-do attitude and a commitment to problem-solving. The Foster Manager acts as manager on duty on-site during open hours on a weekly basis and is on-call after hours for foster emergencies monthly to every other month. The Foster Manager interacts closely with all volunteers and staff, and must be approachable, friendly, upbeat, and a “people person.”

Required Skills/Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• Minimum four years experience working with staff and volunteers.
• Minimum of two years supervisory experience preferred.
• Program management experience.
• Demonstrated people skills and a love of working with people.
• Strong public speaking and teaching skills, with both large groups and in one-on-one situations.
• Enthusiasm, positivity, a “Can do” attitude, and the ability to motivate people.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with the public, fellow employees and volunteers.
• Ability to stay calm, collected, and professional in stressful or emotionally-charged situations.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to provide constructive feedback and implement disciplinary action when appropriate.
• Flexibility regarding work duties and openness to changing organizational priorities and programs.
• Ability to be a team player and work collaboratively with other departments and personalities.
• Willingness and ability to work hands-on alongside staff and volunteers as needed to complete tasks such as walking dogs, cleaning, vaccinating and medicating animals, and other time-sensitive, physical tasks.
• Experience working with government agencies, community groups, volunteers, and animal welfare organizations.
• Knowledge of and compassion for domestic animals and wildlife.
• Proficiency in Excel, Gmail, Google Sheets/Docs, and other computer skills that include the ability to prepare reports and maintain an efficient records system. Experience with Shelterluv (shelter management database) and VolunteerHub (volunteer management database) preferred.
• Ability to plan and implement projects with little supervision and to work independently.
• Self-motivated and well organized, able to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced work environment, innovative.
• Desire to continually maintain and exceed continuing education requirements by attending seminars, workshops and professional conferences.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

• Ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb and manipulate (lift, carry, move) up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying temperatures and climates.
• Ability to work with animals of varying temperament in noisy conditions.
• Ability to work with cleaning materials.
• Ability to use strength and agility while working with active animals.
• Responsible for presenting a neat and professional appearance to the public at all times.
• Must have a valid driver’s license with a clean driving history.

Primary Responsibilities

• Recruits, hires, trains, and directly supervises the Foster Coordinators.
• Works alongside the Foster Coordinators in the daily operations of the department.

• Recruits, onboards, trains, directly supervises and is responsible for retaining experienced, skilled Foster Volunteers, including:
  • Building good relationships with fosters with mutual respect and appreciation
  • Scheduling in-service behavior and medical training opportunities
  • Problem-solving when issues arise
• Accountable for both getting animals into foster homes quickly to reduce on-site length of stay as well as making them available for adoption as soon as possible,  dictated by the care needed for each animal, to keep the program moving efficiently and avoiding any delay to permanency.
• Launches and maintains innovative foster programs such as foster to adopt, field trips, sleepovers, Home for the Holidays, Foster Ambassadors who do adoptions from their foster homes, Foster Mentors who support new fosters, Behavior Fosters, Fospice, etc.
• Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director or Resource Center Director.

How to apply

Interested applicants should email a current resume to [email protected]

This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.  Employees will be required to follow any other job-related duties required by management. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship.

At the Utah Humane Society, we don’t just accept difference – we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our animals, and our community. The Utah Humane Society of an equal opportunity employer. Employment at the Utah Humane Society is based solely on a person’s merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. At the Utah Humane Society, we do not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age (40 and over), genetic information, veteran or military status, marital status, pregnancy or relation condition (including childbirth and breastfeeding), or any other basis protected by state or federal law. 

It is the Utah Humane Society’s policy to comply with all applicable national, state, and local laws pertaining to nondiscrimination and equal opportunity. The organization’s EEO policy, as well as its affirmative action obligations, includes the full and complete support of the organization, including its Executive Director. Because it’s just the right thing to do. We hope you think so, too.