Breeding Foster Program Manager

Guiding Eyes for the Blind•Patterson, NY

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Breeding Foster Program Manager oversees the foster program for breeding dogs, supporting brood and stud dogs throughout their breeding careers and building positive, lasting relationships with the volunteers who care for them. The role manages dog placements, welfare and care coordination, foster-family recruitment and support, program records, and operational planning to help ensure successful outcomes for dogs and caregivers and advance Guiding Eyes for the Blind’s breeding program. Working closely with Veterinary Services, Breeding Operations, Puppy Raising, Canine Development, Volunteer Engagement, and other stakeholders, the manager coordinates health screenings, evaluations, appointments, transitions, training, events, and program initiatives. The position also monitors program capacity and outcomes, maintains accurate records and reports, ensures compliance with organizational policies and animal welfare standards, and recommends process improvements. This is an in-person role based on campus. The position requires a valid driver’s license and the ability to safely handle dogs and perform physical tasks, including lifting and maneuvering dogs and equipment weighing up to 65 pounds. Guiding Eyes for the Blind describes its mission as creating and supporting life-changing partnerships between people and dogs. The organization offers a comprehensive benefits package and invites employees to bring a well-behaved dog to work. Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter with their resume describing themselves and their interest in contributing to the mission. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

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, and prioritization skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
Flexibility and adaptability in response to changing program needs and priorities.
Experience coordinating programs, facilitating training, and driving successful outcomes.
Ability to assess volunteer readiness, match dogs and foster families, and support successful placements.
Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and conflict-resolution skills; sound judgment and discretion in sensitive situations.
Ability to foster volunteer engagement, accountability, and positive program outcomes through relationship management and influence.
Commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence.
Strong relationship-building skills and ability to foster collaboration across teams and volunteer groups.
Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to recruit, educate, coach, and support volunteers and foster families, communicating expectations clearly and practically.
Ability to collaborate with Veterinary Services, Breeding Operations, Canine Development, Volunteer Engagement, and other stakeholders.
Ability to work independently and contribute effectively to a collaborative team.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs; 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 of brood and stud dogs in volunteer foster homes.
Monitor breeding dogs throughout their breeding careers for health, welfare, temperament, and reproductive success.
Coordinate dog transitions, evaluations, temporary care arrangements, 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 to coordinate health screenings, examinations, reproductive evaluations, and related care.
Identify, assess, and address behavioral, medical, welfare, or placement concerns affecting breeding-program dogs.
Contribute to breeding-program planning and decision-making, including management of breeding-dog resources and foster placements.
Recruit prospective foster families through referrals, community outreach, organizational events, open houses, and other activities.
Review applications, conduct interviews, and screen prospective volunteers for suitability and readiness.
Facilitate foster-family onboarding and orientation.
Coordinate and deliver training on canine handling, care, grooming, health monitoring, reproductive protocols, and program standards.
Develop strategies to recruit, engage, retain, and recognize foster volunteers.
Build volunteer relationships, address concerns, resolve issues, and recognize contributions.
Maintain records in Salesforce and other organizational systems; use reporting tools to track volunteer engagement, placements, dog status, training completion, and program outcomes.
Monitor program capacity, volunteer resources, placement needs, and program data to support decision-making and continuous improvement.
Ensure compliance with organizational policies, procedures, and animal welfare standards; recommend process improvements.
Support special events, educational programs, volunteer recognition, breeding clinics, evaluations, and other program initiatives.
Assist with budget planning and resource management as assigned.
Collaborate with internal teams and stakeholders, facilitate information exchange, and contribute expertise to cross-functional planning and problem-solving.
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.