Foster Program Coordinator

Foster Program Coordinator 

Schedule: 

The working schedule for this position is Tuesday - Saturday 9:30AM -6PM with Sundays and Monday off. 

Who We Are

ACC is one of the nation’s largest open-admission animal shelters, whose mission is to End Animal Homelessness in NYC. We touch the lives of nearly 30,000 animals each year. ACC is more than an animal shelter; we are a resource to the community, always seeking ways to keep the human-animal bond intact. With a 90% placement rate, our progressive, life-saving initiatives contribute to the successful placement of our animals. 

We strive to find loving homes for homeless and abandoned cats, dogs, guinea pigs and rabbits, both by adopting animals directly to the public and by partnering with more than 200 dedicated animal placement organizations (our New Hope partners). We also help keep NYC communities safe and rescue animals in need, responding to emergencies that involve animals as well as keeping our doors open 24/7 for people and animals in need.

Summary

The Foster Program Coordinator is responsible for maintaining the day-to-day operations of the foster program. As a Foster Program Coordinator, you will be responsible for coordinating the movement of animals in and out of foster homes, providing support to a network of over 800 foster parents, and help facilitate the adoption process for every animal in foster care. 

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• The ideal candidate should have a minimum of two-years work experience in a client facing position.
• Strong computer literacy required.
• Able to excel in a fast-paced, often high-stress, ever-changing environment.  
• Treat animals and people with respect and employ humane handling techniques whenever possible. 
• Must be able to lift and move up to 50 lbs.

Benefits

ACC values work/life balance and offers a generous paid-time-off (PTO) package that includes vacation time, birthdays off, personal days and sick pay. We also value physical and mental health by offering a great open access Cigna medical, dental and vision insurance at a low premium to our employees as well as 401K and Pension, Life Insurance. We also have on-the-job training for 2-4 weeks, periodic all staff trainings to include safety, DEI, cross training, and other growth opportunities. 

Because ACC is a nonprofit, employees may be eligible for loan forgiveness, cancellation, and/or consolidation under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF). Created under the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, PSLF allows borrowers who work full time for nonprofits and government agencies to have their outstanding debt forgiven tax-free on Federal Direct Loans, after making 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan.

Please use this link for more details on our benefits package.

Essential Job Functions:

• Provide support to foster volunteers to ensure all their needs are being met. This includes answering questions, providing support for behavioral issues, following up with medical concerns, and handling other issues that may arise.
• Coordinate transportation of foster animals to foster volunteers, between care centers, and to adoption events.
• Coordinate with Veterinary Services to ensure foster animals leave the care center with appropriate vaccines and treatment plans, schedule follow-up vet appointments, and assist with handling animals when appropriate.

Other Responsibilities:

• Assist in identifying appropriate foster animals for off-site adoption, outreach, and media opportunities. 
• Coordinate logistics for foster animals attending events including scheduling behavior assessments, medical, and transport.
• Assist Foster Supervisor with management of foster volunteer database.
• Secure appropriate photographs of animals for foster and events.
• Recruit new foster volunteers through orientations, interviews, and training.
• Lead Open Foster Hours, identify appropriate foster animals to new fosters. 
• Fear Free certification within 30 days of hire. 
• Complete other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Prior experience with Microsoft Office Suite preferred.
• Prior experience with animals (dogs/cats/rabbits), either paid or volunteer, is strongly preferred but not required.
• Bi-lingual (Spanish) preferred but not required.
• Customer-driven and focused on providing a positive, upbeat, experience for all clients. 
• High attention to detail, strong work ethic, and the ability to thrive while working in busy environment. 
• Work well independently but also function seamlessly as a member of a team. 

Work Environment:

At ACC it's all hands-on deck. We work together as a team, which means you may be asked to help with tasks that involve working outside in all sorts of weather. As a busy animal shelter in one of the biggest cities in the world it can get noisy inside. Employees should have the ability to remain calm yet professional in stressful situations involving animals and/or members of the public. ACC houses hundreds of animals in its facilities at any given time and with that comes fur, odors and other airborne particles in abundance. 

ACC offers many low-cost services to pets and people in need. This includes compassionate end-of-life services for people who cannot afford to go to a private veterinary office but still want to provide a professional and peaceful transition for their beloved pet. 

Training will take place at our Manhattan Centers. Employees will report there until the Bronx location is fully operational.

Reports To: Foster Supervisor

Overtime: This is a non-union position and is eligible for overtime.