Foster Manager

San Diego Humane Society•San Diego, CA

10h•Hybrid

About The Position

San Diego Humane Society is hiring a full-time Foster Manager for our Foster team! This role supports our mission by overseeing our Foster Programs and providing a consistent and positive experience for staff, foster center volunteers and fosters at all SDHS campuses. This role delivers service at the gold standard level in alignment with the SDHS Way, to meet the needs of animals and the people who love them by leading with compassion, finding creative solutions, providing personalized care and building connections. If you’re passionate about making an impact in the animal welfare movement, we’d love to talk to you.

Requirements

Requires a bachelor’s degree in related field, and four (4) years of full time progressively responsible related experience working with animals in a kennel, shelter, or veterinary hospital, or any equivalent combination of education and experience.
At least one (1) year as a supervisor required, two (2) years’ supervisory experience preferred.
Advanced training and/or instruction in the field of animal care required, in particular with foster programs, kittens or underage animal populations.
Must have a valid driver’s license and be approved by SDHS insurance carrier to drive a company or personal vehicle for work purposes.
Must be able to handle the physical and emotional aspect of work in an animal shelter environment, including the use of humane euthanasia.

Responsibilities

Directly supervise Foster Supervisors who split their time between San Diego/El Cajon Campuses and Escondido/Oceanside Campuses.
Oversee Foster Program staff at all campuses, including any assigned volunteers.
Provides guidance, coaching, mentoring, monitoring of performance, training and instruction, orientation and disciplinary actions as needed.
Collaborates with the Associate Director of Nursery and Foster to make hiring and termination decisions.
Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with foster volunteers to maximize lifesaving pathways for in- shelter populations across all SDHS campuses.
Ensures that animal’s needs are met through processes, including medical and behavioral assessments, viewing of animals, explanation of process, waivers and recommendations while ensuring compliance with SDHS policies and procedures.
Maintains Underage Kitten Protocol updates alongside Associate Director of Nursery and Foster, Nursery Manager, Campus Directors and Medical Directors.
Act as an advocate for animals enrolled in the foster program and for foster candidates.
Maintain a daily inventory of animals, communicating on a regular basis with the Associate Director of Nursery and Foster on status of each animal, ensuring shortest length of stay for animals routed to foster.
Conduct departmental meetings and huddles on a regular basis and act as liaison with other department supervisors, managers and directors in appropriate situations.
Works with the Volunteer Engagement Department to recruit, provide orientation, scheduling and feedback of volunteers.
Updates training materials for Foster volunteers and ensures they are followed.
Provides training, recognition, coaching, counselling and recommendations for volunteer termination and volunteer engagement.
Alongside the Associate Director of Nursery and Foster, serves as point person for foster-related tour requests, media inquiries and animal appearance requests for media segments to allow for coverage 7 days a week.
Assist in developing training manuals, videos, SOPs, etc. in order to improve training and consistency for the Foster program.
Acts as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) and/or trainer for various SDHS trainings related to Foster.
Works with Associate Director of Nursery and Foster to prepare the Foster annual budgets.
Controls expenditures in accordance with budget allocations.
Ensure clean, safe and organized environment for the public, staff, volunteers and animals within SDHS’ care.