Breeding Foster Program Manager

Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Inc.•Patterson, NY

1d•$55,000 - $65,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Breeding Foster Program Manager oversees Guiding Eyes for the Blind’s breeding dog foster program, supporting brood and stud dogs throughout their breeding careers and helping ensure their health, welfare, and successful placement in volunteer foster homes. The role is the primary connection between the organization and breeding dog foster families, building relationships and providing guidance, coaching, and support. Working with Veterinary Services, Breeding Operations, Puppy Raising, Canine Development, Volunteer Engagement, and other stakeholders, the manager coordinates dog placements and transitions, evaluations, veterinary care, volunteer recruitment and training, program records, and operational planning. The position contributes to breeding program decisions, continuous improvement, animal welfare standards, and positive outcomes for dogs and volunteers. The role is campus-based, with in-person collaboration emphasized. It involves work in kennel, office, community, and outdoor environments, including exposure to animals, animal dander, cleaning products, and varying weather conditions. The annual salary range is $55,000–$65,000, commensurate with experience.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
At least three years of experience in animal welfare, canine programs, breeding programs, volunteer management, customer service, or a related field.
Strong understanding of canine behavior, health, handling, and welfare principles.
Experience working with volunteers, community-based programs, or customer-facing populations.
Valid driver's license.
Strong organizational, project-management, prioritization, problem-solving, decision-making, and conflict-resolution skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, adapt to changing program needs, coordinate programs, facilitate training, and drive successful outcomes.
Ability to assess volunteer readiness, match dogs with foster families, and support successful placements.
Sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive situations.
Ability to build trust, foster collaboration, manage relationships, and encourage volunteer engagement and accountability.
Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to recruit, educate, coach, and support volunteers and foster families while communicating expectations clearly and practically.
Ability to collaborate with veterinary, breeding, canine development, volunteer engagement, and other stakeholders.
Ability to work independently and contribute effectively within a collaborative team.
Commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office; ability to maintain accurate records and use program data and reporting tools.
Ability to safely handle and interact with dogs of varying sizes, ages, and temperaments.
Ability to walk, stand, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and navigate kennel, office, community, and outdoor environments.
Ability to work around animals, animal dander, cleaning products, and varying weather conditions.
Ability to lift, carry, and maneuver dogs and related equipment weighing up to 65 pounds.
Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Education, Animal Science, Animal Behavior, Business Administration, or a related field.
Volunteer, foster, or community-based program coordination experience.
Knowledge of breeding dogs, breeding programs, or reproductive canine care.
Demonstrated success recruiting, training, and engaging volunteers.
Strong presentation and public-speaking skills, including facilitating trainings, orientations, and educational programs.
Familiarity with Salesforce.

Responsibilities

Manage placement, oversight, and ongoing support for brood and stud dogs living in volunteer foster homes.
Monitor breeding dogs’ health, welfare, temperament, and reproductive success throughout their breeding careers.
Coordinate dog transitions, evaluations, temporary care, veterinary appointments, and retirement placements.
Evaluate prospective foster volunteers and recommend placements based on program needs, dog characteristics, volunteer capabilities, and household considerations.
Coordinate introductions, meet-and-greets, placement transitions, and acclimation plans.
Provide ongoing guidance, coaching, and support to foster families and address placement concerns.
Maintain accurate records of dog health, breeding status, performance, and foster placements.
Partner with Veterinary Services and Breeding Operations on health screenings, examinations, reproductive evaluations, and related care.
Identify, assess, and address behavioral, medical, welfare, and placement concerns.
Contribute to breeding program planning and decision-making, including management of dog resources, foster placements, and volunteer partnerships.
Recruit prospective foster families through referrals, outreach, events, open houses, and other activities.
Review applications, conduct interviews, and complete volunteer screening.
Facilitate foster-family onboarding and orientation, and coordinate training in canine handling, care, grooming, health monitoring, reproductive protocols, and program standards.
Develop strategies to recruit, engage, retain, and recognize foster volunteers.
Address volunteer concerns and resolve issues in a timely, professional, and mission-focused manner.
Maintain records in Salesforce and other organizational systems, and use reporting tools to track engagement, placements, dog status, training, and program outcomes.
Monitor program capacity, volunteer resources, placement needs, and data to support decisions and continuous improvement.
Ensure compliance with organizational policies, procedures, and animal welfare standards.
Recommend process improvements and support special events, educational programs, volunteer recognition, and breeding program initiatives.
Assist with budget planning and resource management as assigned.
Collaborate across departments and facilitate information-sharing about dog health, behavior, breeding outcomes, placements, and program needs.
Serve as a subject matter expert on breeding dog foster operations and volunteer engagement.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of the departmental and organizational mission.