COORDINATOR OF FOSTER SERVICES

Anti-Cruelty•Chicago, IL

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Foster Coordinator leads the development, growth, and sustainability of the shelter’s foster care program. This role prioritizes foster retention, strong cross-departmental communication, and collaboration to ensure animals and caregivers receive consistent, high-quality support. Working closely with the Volunteer Department and other teams, the coordinator builds a connected, team-oriented environment that promotes positive outcomes, and experiences for animals and people.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required
Experience in animal sheltering, rescue, or veterinary environments
Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate across departments
Demonstrated ability to provide support and build positive relationships
Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills
Knowledge of animal behavior and basic medical care
Ability to lift and carry up to [40–50] pounds
Comfortable handling animals of varying sizes, temperaments, and medical needs
Ability to stand, walk, bend, and perform cleaning tasks
Valid Driver’s License
Ability to work in an open-office environment.
Ability to work at a computer for long periods of time.
Ability to be comfortable working with cats, dogs, small animals, reptiles, fish and wildlife.
Due to nature of shelter work, may be exposed to deceased, fractious, or aggressive animals; hostile or irate persons; zoonotic or other diseases; unpleasant noises, odors, or sights; and extreme temperatures.
Requires flexibility, including evenings, weekends, and occasional on-call support.
Available to work an extended schedule, including weekends, early mornings, evenings and holidays according to demands of the role and tasks.

Nice To Haves

degree in animal science or related field preferred
Experience in volunteer coordination, program development, or retention strategies strongly preferred
Ability to navigate shelter and volunteer software Accuity, Shelter/FosterLuv, Better Impact, Excel

Responsibilities

Uphold the PETS Work Culture Agreement through Praise, Engagement, Trust, and Support.
Recruit, screen, and onboard new foster caregivers with a focus on sustainable program growth.
Develop and implement strategies to improve foster retention and overall satisfaction.
Monitor foster engagement and proactively address trends impacting participation.
Create initiatives that encourage long-term commitment (recognition, feedback, ongoing support).
Analyze program data to identify opportunities for both growth and retention.
Maintain consistent, proactive communication across departments including Volunteer, Medical, Behavior, and Adoption teams.
Ensure alignment in processes, expectations, and messaging across all departments.
Cross-train with the Volunteer Department to support recruitment, onboarding, and retention efforts.
Share updates on foster animals and program needs to ensure all teams are informed and coordinated.
Act as a liaison to promote teamwork and problem-solving across departments.
Serve as the primary point of contact for foster caregivers.
Provide timely, clear, and compassionate communication.
Deliver essential support to foster caregivers, ensuring they feel confident, prepared, and valued.
Proactively address concerns to prevent burnout and improve retention.
Facilitate ongoing communication channels including Slack, email and Shelterluv.
Be able to communicate comfortably about Euthanasia, when that is determined to be the best outcome for a foster animal.
Cultivate a supportive, inclusive, and collaborative foster community.
Organize engagement opportunities such as trainings, appreciation events, and peer mentorship.
Encourage collaboration between staff, volunteers, and foster caregivers.
Strengthen a culture of teamwork and shared responsibility.
Match animals with appropriate foster homes based on individual needs.
Coordinate intake, placement, and return of foster animals.
Track and document animal progress in foster care.
Collaborate closely with veterinary and behavior teams to support animals in foster care.
Ensure fosters understand and follow medical and behavioral plans.
Coordinate scheduling for treatments, check-ups, and follow-ups.
Promote foster animals through marketing efforts (bios, photos, social media).
Coordinate meet-and-greets and assist with adoption placements.
Support smooth transitions from foster care to permanent homes.
Maintain accurate records of foster placements, retention rates, and outcomes.
Generate reports on program performance, growth, and engagement.
Ensure compliance with organizational policies and animal welfare standards.