Foster Care Supervisor

Humane Society Pikes Peak Region•Colorado Springs, CO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Foster Care Supervisor is responsible for providing direct supervision and supporting staff; cultivating relationships with foster families; placing animals with appropriate foster volunteers and maintaining communication throughout the foster period; utilizes independent and collaborative judgment in decision-making, demonstrating leadership and problem solving; coordinates with department managers to monitor and meet the needs of animals in foster care and determine how foster volunteers can best support the mission, vision and goals of HSPPR. The Foster Care Supervisor handles foster animal appointments for vaccines and various medical support needed with support from the team. The Foster Care Supervisor ensures an environment of compassionate and respectful animal and people care in accordance with HSPPR's mission, values, goals, and management philosophy. HSPPR's Mission Statement: HSPPR offers compassionate care to animals, supports safe communities, and provides socially conscious sheltering. The Foster Care Supervisor advances HSPPR's mission by leading and developing the foster care program, ensuring high standards of animal welfare, and building strong relationships with foster volunteers and community partners. This role expands the organization's capacity to provide individualized care for vulnerable animals, supports positive outcomes through effective placement and medical coordination, and fosters community engagement through volunteer development, education, and advocacy. By supervising staff, promoting humane animal care practices, and creating a positive experience for foster volunteers, the Foster Care Supervisor plays a critical role in helping more animals receive the care, support, and opportunities they need to thrive.

Requirements

Minimum of two years experience in customer or volunteer services, professional animal handling experience in a veterinary clinic, animal shelter, etc., or a combination of related education and work experience required.
Able to build rapport between departments and at all levels of the organization and with the public.
Possess excellent communication and organizational skills.
Must be detail oriented.
Excellent interpersonal and team building skills.
Able to work through daily issues with staff and volunteers and create solutions.
Positive attitude and professional demeanor.
Proficient in Microsoft Office software, data entry and reporting.
Valid Driver's License and insurable driving record required.
EBI (Euthanasia by Injection) certification required at time of hire or ability to obtain within 12 months of hire.

Nice To Haves

Minimum of one year of supervisory experience or equivalent experience preferred.
Registered Veterinary Technician or Veterinary Assistant experience preferred.
Experience with volunteer management software preferred.
Experience with Chameleon or other Shelter Management Software highly desired.

Responsibilities

Train new and existing Foster Care Coordinators/Specialists in all aspects of the foster care department and assists with ensuring that staff performance is consistent with protocols.
Recruits, trains, mentors, and serves as primary contact for foster volunteers.
Assists and monitors that all training manuals, procedures, and checklists up-to-date.
Oversees the coordination, implementation, and logistics of HSPPR's foster-related functions, including but not limited to volunteer recruitment; placement of animals with appropriate foster volunteers, based on their skills and situation, for long- or short-term care; scheduling, coordinating, and conducting health check for foster animals; coordination with Veterinary Services or Behavior Team for more advanced treatment.
Adheres to safety protocols for volunteers to ensure consistent humane treatment and handling of animals.
Monitors and ensures that volunteers are adhering to high quality standards of animal care, handling, and sanitation in the foster home and performance is consistent with protocols.
Provides guidance to foster volunteers during the foster process, answering questions and providing support as necessary, including helping foster volunteers with difficult times and decisions, such as humane euthanasia, etc.
Provides ongoing assistance, coaching and moral support to foster volunteers.
Provides appropriate training for foster volunteers, including but not limited to Foster Volunteer Orientations.
Maintain appropriate record keeping of foster animals daily, including medications, location, and current status.
Ensures care and weight checks of immature animals while waiting for foster care.
Monitors health and behavior of animals in foster care and report any important findings/issues to medical or behavior personnel as appropriate.
Oversees, initiates, and/or performs initial and annual foster home inspections for all active foster volunteers, appropriately documenting and maintaining records as required by Pet Facilities Animal Care Facilities Act (PACFA) rules and regulations.
Maintains and updates appropriate volunteer records in database on volunteers.
Performs data entry as required including manually entering in volunteer hours, maintaining foster application forms, and ensuring qualifications are up to date.
Maintains inventory of supplies and equipment needed for the foster program.
Orders supplies as needed.
Assists with euthanasia as required.
Maintains relationships and meets regularly with other HSPPR departments to determine foster needs.
Chooses foster animals for attendance at philanthropy or other events and coordinate with foster families.
Communicates with other HSPPR locations and rescue partners to determine transfer options for foster animals.
Assists in coordinating transfers from HSPPR Pueblo to HSPPR COS shelter for foster placement.
Documents staff and volunteer complaints and reports to the appropriate manager/department.
Handles complaints and/or concerns from, or about, volunteers with professionalism and good judgment.
Evaluates volunteer performance and addresses issues promptly.
Ensures regular communication with active volunteers through newsletter, emails, meetings, bulletin board(s), and other forms of communication.
Communicates with and provides regular feedback and/or coaching to potential volunteers and current volunteers in a professional and timely manner.
Adheres to high quality standards of animal care, handling, and sanitation, including but not limited to ensuring that animals are fed according to dietary instructions; cleaning and disinfecting of animal enclosures, dishes and other equipment used; completing laundry duties.
Checks inventory of animals daily to ensure correct animal, correct ID collar, and correct kennel cards are present, reporting any unresolved discrepancies to a manager.
Informs manager of developments that may affect HSPPR or the department including department progress, media exposure, public image, client concerns, and personnel issues.
Commitment to the mission, values, goals and success of HSPPR.
Appropriately documents observed animal behaviors utilizing objective language as required in relevant procedures and/or policies.
Perform all other duties as assigned.
Supervises direct reports in the performance of their job responsibilities.
Works with department manager to provide performance feedback.
Coaches staff by providing ongoing feedback.
In conjunction with the department manager, sets performance standards; directs and motivates employees.
Consults with Veterinary Services Manager regarding discipline and terminations.
Ensures adequate staffing levels are maintained in the department.
Consults with Patient Care team and/or staff veterinarians on medical and surgical problems of animals as well as medical protocols and procedures.
Supervises and coordinates cleaning procedures of the foster areas.
Oversees and ensures hazardous materials are being handled in the proper manner.
Communicates safety requirements to staff.
Coordinates on the job training for staff and volunteers.
Assists support staff in responding to customer service situations.
Answers general questions dealing with the veterinary care of animals.