Dog Foster & Behavior Coordinator

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

LifeLine Animal Project is seeking a Dog Foster Coordinator to support behavioral assessments and placement decisions for shelter dogs. You will help operate the foster program, recruit and train fosters, and pair animals with suitable homes while maintaining schedules and records.

You will collaborate with veterinary and support teams to ensure timely vaccinations, medications, and behavior plans. Strong customer service and compassion are essential to advancing LifeLine's mission to save lives.

Qualifications

• To perform this job successfully

Responsibilities

• Exhibit exceptional stewardship by ensuring accurate data entry for all foster animal behavior and health notes in shelter software.
• Work with foster parents to implement behavior plans for foster animals and follow up regularly.
• Be compassionate when handling foster meet and greets and handoffs to foster parents. This includes: Matching fosters with animals and following the send out protocol outlined in the send-out guide.
• Ensuring that dogs are fitted with the appropriate collar and/or other equipment and supplies.
• Educating the foster parent on the foster process at hand-off, including covering our most important dos and don'ts, passing on/emailing any applicable handouts, and having the foster parent sign any necessary documents.
• Helping with adoption meetings for fosters as needed.
• Ensure any foster animals maintain medication schedules as needed in order to advance LifeLine's mission to save lives.
• Take responsibility to counsel fosters, answer questions, provide additional training and support as needed, and remain connected to short- and long-term fosters with follow-up phone calls and emails.
• Maintain a database of foster homes with each foster's preferences and capabilities, and maintain and update records. Produce reports as requested.
• Provide resource support for animals out of the shelter.
• Participate in rounds with other departments to identify dogs with a shelter-based behavioral decline or behavior challenges and develop plans to place them in foster homes and provide extra enrichment as needed.
• Participate in playgroups, maintaining notes and assuring that protocols are followed.
• Use focus groups for dog test interactions and pathways planning.
• Assist in educating fosters on dog care and behavior.
• Schedule and conduct foster training classes - bottle feeding, administering medications, house training, socializing, etc.
• Work with Veterinary staff to schedule vaccines, surgery, appointments, etc. Provide appointment information to fosters and follow-up if appointments are missed. Reschedule as needed.
• Provide excellent customer service and communications to clients, coworkers, fosters, and volunteers. Welcome visitors with a friendly and professional demeanor.
• Cover the department emails to ensure all emails are being answered in a timely manner.
• Maintain a general understanding of all shelter operations, including animal care, adoption policies, volunteer opportunities, foster programs and any other operational processes.
• Stay informed about current animals in the shelter, including their needs, personalities, and status.
• Courageously, collaborate with other shelter staff to address any issues or concerns that arise.
• Respect, embrace and celebrate diversity by always operating with a judgement-free mindset when greeting and working with visitors.
• Help build a community of animal welfare advocates by supporting and engaging the volunteers who aid the foster team.
• Continue education by participating in LifeLine's 40-hour annual training requirement.
• Maintain a clean and tidy work area.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Job description

LifeLine Animal Project is seeking a Dog Foster Coordinator to support behavioral assessments and placement decisions for shelter dogs. You will help operate the foster program, recruit and train fosters, and pair animals with suitable homes while maintaining schedules and records.

You will collaborate with veterinary and support teams to ensure timely vaccinations, medications, and behavior plans. Strong customer service and compassion are essential to advancing LifeLine's mission to save lives.