Volunteer and Foster Program Supervisor

Best Friends•New York, NY

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Volunteer and Foster Program Supervisors are responsible for the daily functions and growth of foster and volunteer programming as well as the strategic expansion and engagement of both the foster and volunteer teams working at the direction of their managers. Supervisors act with urgency to accomplish important objectives and play a direct role in achieving Best Friends Animal Society’s no-kill mission and organizational success. They may receive intensive assignments in a particular program, based on organizational needs. We believe in treating everyone with kindness and compassion, building trust through authenticity and following through on commitments. We prioritize well-being alongside our mission, fostering strong relationships through open communication and transparent feedback. Diversity and inclusion are integral to our culture, enriching team dynamics by valuing diverse perspectives. Each team member is responsible for creating an inclusive environment where all voices are respected and contributing to a workplace that embodies our shared values and commitment to progress. By consistently aligning our actions with our Guiding Principles, we strengthen our culture and ensure that our values are lived every day.

Requirements

A minimum of 1-3 years’ experience supervising or managing teams.
Preferably in a community or client facing environment where a high level of customer service is required.
Prior experience overseeing/managing a foster program in an animal welfare setting is required.
Experience leading a volunteer program is a plus.
Knowledge and familiarity with developing, implementing, and/or expanding programming is essential.
Customer-centric, non-judgmental approach to engaging with adopters, partners, visitors, volunteers, and colleagues; familiarity and comfort with a conversational adoption process.
Familiarity and experience with handling cats and dogs with a varying temperaments and medical statuses.
Basic ability to identify and speak to medical and behavioral characteristics of dogs and cats.
Strong communications skills (verbal and written) as well as presentation experience with the ability to speak before a group or audience.
Bilingual or multi-lingual skills are preferred but not required.
Strong interpersonal skills, a person able to get along with people from different backgrounds, as well as the ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with well-developed organization skills to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.
Resourceful, get-it-done attitude; initiative to assist in any area or process; problem solving, seeking answers independently and enthusiastically; flexibility to persist until goals are achieved.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products; familiarity with shelter software/animal management software, or desire to learn.
Ability to professionally advocate Best Friends’ positions on issues; experience in supporting, engaging with, and developing relationships with volunteers and donors.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual or multi-lingual skills are preferred but not required.
Experience leading a volunteer program is a plus.
Familiarity with shelter software/animal management software, or desire to learn.

Responsibilities

Treat people around you as our most valuable resource by leading with Kindness and Compassion in all your actions, build trust by demonstrating authenticity and following through on your commitments, encourage self-care and work-life balance through your own example, and work to build strong relationships with your team by creating communication loops to share and receive honest feedback. You are responsible and accountable for the culture of your team.
Identify foster and volunteer recruitment, engagement and retention opportunities to help expand Best Friends lifesaving capacity; introduce, recruit, and engage with local organizations, individuals, and stakeholders to develop and maintain mutually beneficial relationships; implement Best Friends engagement and advocacy strategies; support strategies through communications, events/meetings, social media or other methods.
Work with manager to routinely evaluate onsite animal capacity and determine lifesaving needs for shelter partners identified as a priority: develop, and improve program efficiency to increase placement opportunities through foster relationships to meet those needs, routinely audit length of stay trends in onsite animal population and work with foster team to expedite placement for long-stay animals.
Develop and implement recruitment and retention strategies for both foster and pet adoption center volunteers, ensuring alignment with organizational goals related to the constituent journey and sustained engagement with Best Friends’ mission
Assist or oversee the creation of engaging content for social media platforms, to include creation and/or editing of written, video, and photo content.
Work collaboratively with other departments and marketing teams to identify engagement opportunities with social media and PR to support lifesaving outcomes and programmatic needs at the center.
Represent Best Friends in media relations when requested and ensure to maintain Best Friends’ voice across all communications.
Develop a detailed knowledge of Best Friends’ programs to speak knowledgably about and best match both the animal and client’s (adopters, fosters, transfer partners) needs; lead by example in providing superior customer service.
Assist other teams in providing basic care such as feeding, cleaning, walking, and medicating animals housed or transported within Best Friends’ vehicles, buildings, or facilities; follow all policies and local standard operating procedures when completing daily functions to ensure health and safety standards are upheld.
Provide support, training, and performance feedback; participate in performance conversations; support hiring and onboarding; ensure teams meet expectations for Best Friends’ program requirements and procedures; support teams so that each person achieves their fullest potential as contributors to Best Friends’ mission and goals.
Work collaboratively with and assist Best Friends’ team members in all areas of operations to develop, evolve, and implement efficient processes to achieve lifesaving goals; follow policies, procedures, and task lists, including accurate and timely communications, work completion, data entry, and recordkeeping.
Lead the maintenance of a safe workplace, value, and model safe work practices, adhering to organizational safety practices and rules, and addressing or communicating to leadership about unsafe practices and conditions.