Foster Team Lead

Position: Foster Team Lead 

Department: Placement

Reports To: Foster and Rescue Manager

Location: 3280 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd, Chamblee, GA 30341

Summary:

LifeLine Animal Project is committed to the care and welfare of pets and the people who love them. The values we exhibit as an organization show the strength of our staff, our leadership and our community. We expect all employees to exhibit LifeLine’s core values as we complete daily tasks, provide services to clients and care for our animals.

This position assists the Foster and Rescue Manager with the implementation of the Foster Care

Program by assisting with the implementation of standard operating procedures for

the department, focusing on foster volunteer recruitment and support, and maintaining the

database of fosters’ information. This position produces reports, as needed and has a key role in

the training of foster volunteers and the development of related training materials.

Essential Job Functions:

This represents a list of essential job duties. Other duties or special projects may be assigned as needed.

Uphold the standards and values of LifeLine Animal Project:

Save Lives -- Build Community -- Be Exceptional Stewards -- Be Courageous -- 

Be Compassionate -- Take Responsibility -- Respect, Embrace and Celebrate Diversity

Leadership Responsibilities:

• Take responsibility to monitor and oversee the daily work activities of the foster team.
• Provide informal feedback and support to team members, helping them to develop their skills and grow within the organization.
• Monitor staff performance, provide feedback, and notify the Foster and Rescue Manager with any issues or concerns.
• Courageously recruit foster volunteers and promote the foster program through social media, volunteer fairs, and other community events - coordinate with the Marketing department as needed. 
• Assist with the training of foster department staff, including both dog and cat-specific roles, on protocols, procedures, policy, and technology. 
• Develop training materials – manuals, videos, etc. – to be used in foster training. Work with Marketing & Communications staff as needed. Receive approval of all materials (content and presentation) from Foster and Rescue Manager and/or Senior Director of Operations.
• Oversee the scheduling of foster training classes – bottle feeding, administering medications, house training, socializing, etc. Ensure department staff are prepared to conduct training classes. 

Collaboration and Communication:

• Provide excellent customer service and communications to clients, coworkers, fosters, and volunteers. Welcome visitors with a friendly, compassionate, and professional demeanor. 
• Collaborate with other shelter staff to address any issues or concerns that arise.
• Respect, embrace and celebrate diversity by always operating with a judgement-free mindset when greeting and working with visitors.
• Coordinate with other departments to identify foster matches. Meet animals and evaluate personalities and special needs. 
• Help build a community of animal welfare advocates by working with the Volunteer Coordinator to identify volunteer opportunities within the foster department and develop volunteer roles.

General Responsibilities:

• Stay informed about current animals in the shelter, including their needs, personalities, and status.
• Exhibit exceptional stewardship by ensuring department databases and spreadsheets are accurate and all records are updated and complete in a timely manner. Produce reports as requested. 
• Work with Veterinary staff to schedule vaccines, surgery, appointments, etc. to advance LifeLine’s mission to save lives. 
• Participate in Placement department activities and back-up other areas if needed. 
• Coordinate and provide guidance to the volunteer Foster Coach team. 
• Maintain a general understanding of all shelter operations, including animal care, adoption policies, volunteer opportunities, foster programs and any other operational processes. 
• Continue education by participating in LifeLine’s 40-hour annual training requirement.
• Maintain a clean and tidy work area. 
• Other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

• Compassion for animals and the people who love and care for them.
• Knowledge of animal behavior, habits, basic care, and proper animal handling. 
• Considerable knowledge of animal welfare programs. 
• Strong reasoning skills with the ability to look at situations from the perspective of another.
• Ability to maintain composure and calmly assess animal emergency and life threatening situations.
• Must be able to determine when emergency medical care is needed for animals and administer basic first aid when needed. 
• Training experience and a demonstrated comfort with public speaking. 
• Ability to serve the public and fellow employees with honesty and integrity.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to interact effectively with diverse groups.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively.
• Proficiency in basic computer applications and experience with database systems is a plus.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and to bend and reach to perform assigned work activities.
• Ability to work well in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Comfortable working with dogs and cats of all sizes, breeds, and temperaments.
• Ability to follow safety protocols and handle challenging situations with calmness and professionalism.
• Ability to work collaboratively with multiple departments to ensure efficient shelter operations.
• Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and remain composed under pressure.
• Ability to handle seeing and dealing with animals that have been abused, neglected or treated cruelly. 
• Must be able to work weekends, holidays, and varying shifts based on shelter needs.
• Must have a means of travel that ensures prompt arrival for work shifts.
• Must pass a background check.

Education and/or Experience:

High school diploma or equivalent; college degree or relevant coursework preferred. 

One or more years’ experience in animal related field or animal sheltering. 

Previous experience in customer service, hospitality, or a similar role is highly desirable. 

Fear Free Sheltering preferred.

Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this job, employee may be exposed to loud noises and unpleasant kennel smells. May have to handle animals that are stray, injured, diseased or vicious.