Foster Care Specialist

Humane Society for Southwest Washington • Vancouver, WA

1d • $18 - $21

About The Position

The Foster Care Specialist arranges the placement and day-to-day care of animals in foster homes, ensuring their health, behavior, and well-being. Working closely with the Foster Coordinator, who handles higher-level program coordination, the Specialist manages the administrative and logistical work that keeps the program running, including placements, scheduling, records, supplies, and volunteer communication. The role supports foster volunteers, coordinates medical and behavioral care, and helps animals transition between the shelter, foster homes, and adoption.

The position is full-time and reports to the Director of Clinical Operations. It has no direct reports and works closely with the Foster Coordinator, other Foster Care Specialists, Shelter Medicine, Animal Care, Customer Experience, and foster volunteers. The role is based in an animal shelter and may involve occasional weekends, evenings, and on-call shifts. Pay is $18.36–$20.85 per hour, depending on qualifications and experience. Euthanasia Technician Certification must be obtained within six months of employment; training is provided, and additional compensation is provided once certified and scheduled for humane euthanasia services.

Requirements

• At least one year of experience in customer service, conflict resolution, scheduling, or coordinating.
• Strong people skills, emotional intelligence, and effective communication and computer skills.
• Knowledge of animal health and welfare, including identifying breeds, health indicators, and behavioral issues.
• A Washington or Oregon driver’s license with an insurable driving record.
• Obtain Euthanasia Technician Certification within six months of employment; training is provided.
• Ability to speak comfortably with individuals and groups.
• Ability to perform physical tasks including walking, standing, sitting, stooping, squatting, bending, typing, and using arms, hands, and fingers for grasping, lifting, and operating equipment.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds with assistance; reasonable accommodation will be provided for individuals with disabilities.
• Flexibility to work occasional weekends, evenings, and on-call shifts.
• Ability to work in an animal shelter with potential exposure to animals, fractious animals, high noise levels, zoonotic and infectious diseases, bites and scratches, cleaning chemicals, and allergens.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with canine and feline behavior.
• Familiarity with neonate care.
• Familiarity with rewards-based training.

Responsibilities

• Match animals with suitable foster homes and coordinate departures, returns, veterinary appointments, volunteer transportation, and supply deliveries.
• Help implement individualized care plans and ensure fostered animals receive appropriate supplies, medical care, socialization, and rehabilitation in preparation for adoption.
• Provide occasional hands-on foster support, including routine vaccinations and basic care as trained and authorized under veterinary direction; provide foster volunteers with care instructions and supplies.
• Respond promptly and compassionately to foster animal or volunteer emergencies, follow program guidelines, and escalate complex situations to the Foster Coordinator.
• Support and coach foster volunteers through communication, appointments, training, community events, and feedback.
• Communicate clearly and compassionately about fostering expectations and sensitive outcomes, including when humane euthanasia may be appropriate.
• Carry out Safe Haven scheduling, placements, and pet owner updates under the Foster Coordinator’s oversight; contribute to newsletters, social media, and placement appeals.
• Maintain timely and accurate foster and animal records, including communications, postings, and medical and behavioral information in shelter databases.
• Collaborate with the Foster Coordinator and team, sharing volunteer feedback and day-to-day observations that inform program policy, training, and SOP updates.
• Prepare for and participate in population rounds, sharing animal and capacity updates.
• Follow established training, protocols, and SOPs; identify needed updates and track program supply inventory.
• Provide organizational support through meetings, trainings, outreach events, facility opening and closing, and occasional animal transport using company vehicles.

Benefits

• Health insurance for full-time employees, effective the first of the month following hire.
• Dental and vision insurance, effective the first of the month following hire.
• Matching 401(k) retirement plan beginning the first month after hire, with a three-year graded vesting schedule and Roth contribution option.
• Employee Assistance Program available to employees and household members.
• Section 125 FSA Cafeteria Plan for out-of-pocket health and dependent day care expenses.
• Access to affordable life, disability, and accidental supplemental insurance.
• Employee and partner-organization discounts.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualified employer.
• PTO accrual at 1.84 hours for every 40 hours worked.
• Floating holidays for full-time employees.
• Bereavement leave.
• Pet bereavement leave.
• Additional compensation after Euthanasia Technician Certification is obtained and the employee is scheduled for humane euthanasia services.

What This Job Offers

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