Position Title: Foster & Volunteer Programs Coordinator
Reports To: Shelter Manager
Supervisory Responsibility: Fosters and Volunteers
Compensation: $19.25 per hour (Hourly/Non-Exempt)
Work Schedule: Tuesday – Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM.
Job Summary: The Foster & Volunteer Programs Coordinator is responsible for developing, managing, and expanding the Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley’s foster and volunteer programs to support the care and well-being of animals. This role oversees the recruitment, training, scheduling, and engagement of foster caregivers and volunteers, ensuring both programs are aligned with industry best practices and organizational needs. The Coordinator works closely with veterinary staff, animal care staff, foster families, and volunteers to provide high-quality care, accurate record-keeping, and timely communication. This includes supporting foster caregivers with resources, monitoring animal health and behavior, scheduling veterinary care, and facilitating efficient foster placements to reduce length of stay.
In addition, the Coordinator manages the shelter’s volunteer program by recruiting and onboarding new volunteers, maintaining schedules, monitoring participation, and providing recognition to foster long-term engagement. This position also leads the organization’s humane education initiatives, including youth programming and community outreach, to strengthen public understanding of animal welfare. The Foster & Volunteer Programs Coordinator may also assist with adoption events, special events, and animal transport as needed.
Foster
Foster Recruiting and Training
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Recruit new foster caregivers through community outreach, social media, and partnerships.
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Develop and maintain Foster SOPs as well as foster care literature and materials, taking into consideration industry best practices.
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Conduct orientation and training sessions for new and existing fosters.
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Develop and deliver quarterly training sessions for new and existing foster caregivers that align with industry best practices.
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Provide ongoing support, guidance, and education to foster caregivers.
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Identify and address barriers to efficient foster placement creatively and effectively to reduce the length of stay on foster placement.
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Address challenges or concerns presented by active or past foster families that prioritizes preserving their commitment and interest in fostering.
Foster Animal Care & Wellbeing
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Assign and track foster animals and foster homes through meticulous record-keeping in and outside of our animal shelter software and Doobert with exceptional accuracy.
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Work with veterinary staff, specifically the Client Services Representative & Animal Behavior Specialist to schedule medical appointments, vaccinations, and treatments for all foster animals.
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Monitor the health and behavior of foster animals and provide guidance to foster families with the support of the veterinary staff with a sense of urgency based on training received by the veterinary staff on proper triage.
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Proactively create foster packets specific to each animal’s needs to ensure that the foster has all of the proper support, including but not limited to medications, food, leashes, enrichment toys, etc.
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Expand our foster network to increase our shelter’s ability to take in more animals from our partner shelters.
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Responsible for fielding and responding to all inquires, messages or concerns regarding the foster program in a professional and considerate manner with a focus on resolution.
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Ensuring timely responses to fosters who have overnight concerns, while establishing firm boundaries with fosters to inform them on what constitutes an emergency and forwarding those concerns through the proper internal channels.
Volunteer
Volunteer Recruitment & Onboarding
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Develop and implement recruitment strategies that align with the shelter’s needs.
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Recruit new volunteers through community outreach, social media, and partnerships.
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Conduct at least monthly orientation sessions for new volunteers, ensuring they receive the proper training.
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Be customer focused with new volunteers and ensure that they feel welcomed for their first shift.
Volunteer Program Management & Engagement
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Develop and maintain SOPs as well as volunteer literature and materials, taking into consideration industry best practices.
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Maintain an organized volunteer schedule, ensuring adequate staffing for daily shelter needs, adoption events, and special projections.
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Track volunteer participation and activities through our current software, Volgistics.
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Provide reports to the executive director regarding volunteer analytics.
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Recognize volunteers through appreciation events and external communications
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Develop monthly communication to keep volunteers informed and engaged on the needs of the shelter.
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Work closely with the volunteer assistant to ensure that all volunteer inquiries are addressed in a timely manner.
Both
Community Outreach
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Lead our organization’s pilot humane education program to include youth education camps.
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Maintain community relationships related to our foster and volunteer programs.
Qualifications
Education/Experience: High School Diploma or GED equivalent required. A four-year degree is a plus. At least three years working in a fast-paced environment with foster and or volunteer management or direct report supervision. Prior work in an animal welfare organization or veterinarian clinic is a plus.
Skills: Networking, attention to detail, and general people skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook) and shelter management software (e.g., Shelter Buddy, Volgistics, Doobert). Exceptional communication, customer service, and problem-solving abilities
Additional Requirements: No criminal convictions or injunctions at the local, state, and or national level that could hinder the ability to carry out HSTV’s mission or programs. Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
Other Attributes: A passion for animal welfare and the overall mission of the Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley. Committed to ethical standards and donor privacy. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing priorities.
