Foster Technician - Job Description
Reports to: Community Engagement Manager
Part time, hourly position. Responsible for an on-call phone when needed.
Summary: Foster Technician is responsible for the sanitization and preparation of supplies and resources used in various foster programs and for assisting Foster Coordinator in promotion and movement of animals into foster care. Foster Technician will be expected to act as sole foster staff member during Foster Coordinator’s absence.
Specific duties of the Foster Technician include, but are not limited to:
Primary duties:
Other duties:
In Foster Coordinator’s absence:
Part time, hourly position. Responsible for an on-call phone when needed.
Summary: Foster Technician is responsible for the sanitization and preparation of supplies and resources used in various foster programs and for assisting Foster Coordinator in promotion and movement of animals into foster care. Foster Technician will be expected to act as sole foster staff member during Foster Coordinator’s absence.
Specific duties of the Foster Technician include, but are not limited to:
Primary duties:
- Clean holding room cages, and provide care for animals housed in Foster World
- Always be aware of and use the most up to date, approved cleaning protocols
- Ensure all animals have clean housing, appropriate bedding and fresh water at all times
- Ensure all animals are fed according to the feeding protocols
- Keep Foster World surfaces and sink free from clutter
- Sanitize Foster World surfaces and supplies between animals and as needed
- Restock foster and holding room supplies
- Manage and clean Dogs Day Out gear
- Prepare foster packs prior to or during foster appointments
- Facilitate movement of shelter animals into foster care
- Collect animals from their housing location and gear up if necessary
- Collect foster housing (crates, kennels, pens, etc.) if needed
- Collect foster supplies (food, towels, bowls, etc.)
- Collect any medications
- Assist foster with transporting animal to vehicle
- Collect and gear up Dogs Day Out dogs, and counsel Dogs Day Out volunteers
- Ensure shelter has all necessary items to prepare foster packs, notify Foster Coordinator when stock is low, and prepare foster packs for outgoing foster animals
- Take high quality photos of animals in need of foster so that Foster Coordinator can post within 3 hours of identification (1 hour for urgent animals)
- Provide follow up vaccines and basic medical care during foster rechecks
- Enter all information from foster rechecks in ShelterLuv
- Uphold the shelter’s values and mission statement during interactions with the public and other staff
- Report to Community Engagement Manager about consistent or serious issues with foster programs, foster volunteers, or staff involved with foster programs.
- Perform other duties as assigned by Foster Coordinator, Community Engagement Manager, or other members of management
Other duties:
- Train and support foster volunteers
- Ensure all animals have clear, appropriate photos before entering any foster program
- Report any important medical findings/issues to medical personnel or management as appropriate
- Coordinate with Behavior Team to counsel/demonstrate the management or solution for basic behavioral issues (with a focus on positive reinforcement techniques)
- Provide appropriate orientation materials, manuals, and handouts to all foster volunteers
- When foster duties are complete or kennels are short staffed, fill in as Kennel Technician
In Foster Coordinator’s absence:
- Coordinate booster, recheck, and drop off times with foster volunteers, and schedule them on foster calendar
- Ensure foster animals’ follow-up vaccinations, dewormer, and flea/heartworm prevention are given on time (check Tasks list regularly)
- Coordinate with Medical Director for foster animals to receive more advanced medical checks and treatments
- Select and prepare candidates for Dog’s Day Out Program based on feedback/recommendations of other staff, coordinators, and management.
- Coordinate with Cat Coordinator about kittens in need of foster or kittens returning from foster to allow time to plan for space offsite/adoption events
- Carry a cellular phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week when on call to allow for rapid response to foster animal emergencies. When on call, must have a plan in place for quickly and efficiently responding to various foster emergencies.
- Monitor Southern Pines Foster Group
- Assist with managing the foster volunteer database as needed
- Have all animals identified as in need of foster posted within 3 hours of identification
- Have all urgent animals in need of foster posted within 1 hour of arrival (neonates, injured/ill animals, etc.)
- Ensure foster animal locations and foster volunteer information is accurate in Shelterluv
- Attend and/or assist Foster Coordinator and Adoptions Coordinators in organizing special events pertinent to foster programs
- Working with volunteers
- Remember that volunteers donate their time, talent, and energy and are not compensated monetarily for their contributions
- Make a commitment to train volunteers: orient them to assigned area, assign work, answer questions, and assist with their needs
- Greet all volunteers that you see, and thank them for their help. Make them feel like they’re part of the team
- Be mindful of your communication around volunteers; keep internal conversations internal, and only involve volunteers in the conversation when appropriate
- Build relationships with volunteers. Volunteers with an emotional connection will continue to volunteer with us
- Provide feedback to volunteers when they do something well
- Offer encouragement, training, and constructive correction if you volunteers break protocol. Feedback should be non-confrontational and specific
- Request volunteer assistance when you need it by asking volunteers
- Request volunteer assistance ahead of time by contacting the Community Engagement Manager
- Engage with volunteers through the Southern Pines Volunteers Facebook group