Dog Foster Coordinator

CommonSpirit Health • Austin, TX

23h • Onsite

About The Position

The Dog Foster Coordinator drives lifesaving outcomes for dogs in Austin Pets Alive!’s care, focusing on long-stay dogs, large dogs, and dogs in the Unstuck program. Based primarily onsite at Town Lake Animal Center, the role identifies foster placement opportunities, moves dogs from TLAC into foster homes, matches dogs with caregivers, and provides ongoing support. The coordinator develops individualized behavioral and management plans, gives foster caregivers hands-on guidance, and helps them feel confident caring for dogs with complex needs.

The position requires managing daily priorities and delivering reliable, high-quality work with minimal oversight. As part of a volunteer-powered organization, the coordinator works alongside volunteers, supports their onboarding and training, and helps foster a welcoming, inclusive, and collaborative environment. The role may require flexible shifts, evenings, weekends, holidays, occasional after-hours work, and responsiveness during high-need periods or MOD coverage. It is a full-time, exempt position averaging 40 hours per week, with a schedule that may change weekly.

The position is based primarily at the Town Lake Animal Center campus, with work at the Tarrytown location and occasional travel to other locations as needed. The coordinator reports to the Dog Foster/Adoption Support Manager or another person designated by APA!.

Requirements

• Ability to embody APA!’s core values of Innovation, Respect, Drive, Resourcefulness, and Inclusion, and cultural values of Humble, Hungry, and Smart.
• Commitment to APA!’s customer experience expectations and to providing a positive, inclusive experience for coworkers, fosters, volunteers, and the public.
• Strong commitment to volunteer engagement and ability to work effectively with volunteers across roles.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and serve as a liaison among volunteers, customers, and team members.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to interpret rules, procedures, and instructional materials.
• Self-starter with strong time-management skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a calm, professional presence, including the ability to communicate warmly with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong attention to detail, high standards for quality, adaptability, and sound problem-solving and judgment skills.
• Thorough understanding of dog behavior principles and APA-recommended training and management techniques.
• Ability to explain dog training and management techniques clearly to people with little or no experience in dog behavior.
• Strong understanding of dog marketing best practices and commitment to dog well-being and increasing adoptions.
• Proficiency with email, word processing, and spreadsheets.
• Ability to handle high-volume needs professionally, prioritize independently, and work efficiently with minimal daily oversight.
• Experience communicating effectively and succinctly by email and collaborating with a remote team.
• Experience managing varied priorities, limited resources, and competing deadlines.
• Analytical mindset and ability to identify process improvements and improve the experience for APA fosters.
• Ability to work productively in an emotionally charged, high-stress, fast-paced environment and remain cooperative and positive.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed, with schedule flexibility.
• Ability to sit for extended periods and walk around the shelter, including over uneven ground while maintaining safe distance from dogs and handlers.
• Ability to work around animals, including diseased, injured, or potentially aggressive animals; loud noises; chlorine or other chemicals; and inclement weather.
• Ability to comfortably interact with cats and dogs of varying health levels, including animals that may carry zoonotic diseases.
• Ability to walk and handle large, strong dogs, including dogs that pull or jump and dogs with challenging behavior profiles.
• Ability to use own transportation for travel and transport.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working or volunteering in animal rescue, animal behavior, or animal care fields is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Partner with volunteers during each shift, share daily work collaboratively, and help maintain an inclusive and welcoming environment.
• Support volunteer recruitment, onboarding, orientation, training, engagement, and retention through guidance, encouragement, feedback, and recognition.
• Recommend volunteers for deeper involvement or specialized roles to the supervisor or volunteer manager.
• Target placement of long-stay dogs, large dogs, and Unstuck Program dogs from TLAC into foster homes.
• Review incoming foster applications and lapsed foster parents, and conduct individualized outreach to match them with suitable dogs.
• Conduct matchmaking appointments, introductions, and handoffs to prepare foster caregivers and dogs for success.
• Create, deliver, and monitor training, management, marketing, and enrichment plans for foster caregivers of dogs with higher-level behavioral needs.
• Proactively contact fosters caring for higher-level behavior (BC-BT, BC-IM) dogs, large dogs, and other Unstuck Program dogs.
• Help fosters market their dogs, draft response templates for inquiries, screen adopters, and hold meet-and-greets.
• Support the Foster Buddy program by pairing new fosters with experienced foster caregivers.
• Monitor and respond promptly to foster and internal team emails, provide support, and document communications in appropriate locations.
• Coordinate with Placement, Behavior/Care, Medical, and Volunteer teams to ensure cohesive care and alignment for dogs transitioning to foster.
• Support, train, and guide Dog Foster Support Volunteers and leads to expand support for low-to-medium challenge dogs.
• Assist with adoption events, marketing opportunities, and foster appreciation events as needed.
• Travel to meet foster caregivers and their dogs at homes or events when needed to provide support.
• Attend required training sessions and meetings, maintain consistent communication with colleagues and managers, and perform other assigned duties.
• Manage priorities, deadlines, and changing responsibilities with sound judgment, accountability, and minimal daily oversight.

Benefits

• Subsidized employer-sponsored medical coverage.
• Subsidized and voluntary life insurance.
• Voluntary dental, vision, and short-term disability options.
• Voluntary wellness and emergency sick plans.
• Up to 2% match on the 401(k) retirement plan.
• Supplemental benefits and flexible spending accounts.
• 10 paid holidays for full-time employees.
• 10 days of paid time off accrued during the first year, with an additional 5 days of PTO accrual after 12 months of employment.
• Professional development opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed