Animal Flow Foster Associate

HSSV•Milpitas, CA

1d•$22 - $24•Onsite

About The Position

The Animal Flow Foster Associate supports both the rescue and foster programs within the HSSV Logistics Department. In this hands-on role, this individual is responsible for supporting foster families and foster animals in their path through HSSV to adoption which requires strong communication and multi-tasking skills. Additionally, the position assists with the coordination, support, and execution of weekly rescue transports with our shelter partners, as well as matching and placing animals in need of foster care in suitable homes in a timely manner.

Requirements

Be comfortable caring for animals a must; work in a shelter or kennel setting a plus.
Demonstrated project coordination and multi-tasking abilities, with use of good judgement to successfully accomplish department priorities.
Proficient in problem-solving and willing to collaborate with other departments to resolve concerns.
Experience working with volunteers and/or customer service skills.
Outstanding interpersonal and relationship building skills (with diverse internal and external audiences), including excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to demonstrate an attitude of consideration and courtesy to all members of the public, volunteers, and staff.
Knowledge and demonstrated ability to identify various health conditions desired as well as ability to correctly interpret animal body language and adjust practices to reduce fear, anxiety, and stress.
Knowledge of or willingness to learn fear free animal handling philosophy and techniques.
Proficient with computer database applications; ability to effectively use online tools and technology for communications and record-keeping (e.g. Excel, Box, Zoom, email); shelter or foster program systems a plus.
Ability to operate effectively and quickly with exposure to animals that may be under socialized, fearful, feral, unruly, and/or aggressive. Exposure to controlled substances, needles, syringes, and other supplies used to treat animals.
Current driver’s license and acceptable driving record for HSSV insurance purposes.
Ability to handle lots of moving parts throughout the day – need to pivot each day based on animal flow; work is unpredictable in nature and requires ability to kneel, bend, and squat throughout the day. Requires ability to move quickly for safety purposes. Ability to lift and carry weights of up to 50 pounds (floor level to waist height) with or without assistance and ability to bend, kneel, squat, lift and stand as well as long periods of time for desk work for the majority of the work schedule.

Responsibilities

Evaluate animals for placement in foster care and choose suitable foster homes for them. Spend hands-on time with animals of all sizes in order to get to know them for effective matchmaking.
Build strong relationships with foster parents by promptly answering questions, educating, and arranging veterinary appointments or behavior consultations as needed.
Work closely with Medical and Behavior staff to ensure the greatest level of health and comfort animals in foster care.
Schedule foster care animals for pick-up/transport, vaccines, spay or neuter and return to the shelter and provide foster volunteers with necessary forms, supplies, medications, and follow up communications.
Partner with Rescue and Animal Movement Program Manager to assist in scheduling and planning rescue runs with partner shelters.
Support animal transports by cleaning rescue vehicles and crates on a regular basis, transferring information into Shelter Buddy and preparing incoming paperwork for HSSV teams that aid in processing and placement of incoming animals – including uploading behavior evaluation, medical history, and adding photos for animals being transferred to HSSV.
Participate as a driver or passenger on long and short transports; these could be approximately 1-4 hours one way. Number of transports per week varies based on capacity; can be 0-4+ a week, depending on HSSV needs.
Conduct dog-to-dog introductions for dogs of all sizes including those over 40 lbs. (for assessing dogs at partner shelters or matchmaking for foster families with resident dogs).
Load and unload animals from vehicles as transports arrive for triage, foster, medical, and other areas.
Coordinate available space to receive animals being transferred in or returning from foster. Work with rescue run volunteers to assist with animal flow from transports into housing within HSSV.
Extensive moving animals of all sizes throughout the day for rescue and foster purposes; move animals through FAVS which is on the other side of the facility and thus requires getting animals ready and walking them in carriers (at times) to the needed location.
Administer vaccines to animals and provide guidance and support to volunteers assisting with the vaccination process.
Assist with events that require coordination and engagement with foster parents or the promotion of the Rescue and Foster programs within the community.
Collaborate with the Volunteer Programs team to conduct Foster Care Orientations and assist with the ongoing education and questions from foster parents.
Maintain Shelter Buddy and Vetter records for all foster and rescue animals and assist with reporting weekly/monthly statistics and other reports.
Other job duties may be assigned as needed.