OPEN POSITION: DOG FOSTER &

ADOPTION COORDINATOR

ABOUT ANIMAL AID:

Animal Aid is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal rescue and welfare organization that has been serving animals and the people they love since 1969. It is our mission to enhance the welfare of companion animals through individualized care and lifelong commitment, rescue and adoption, resources and education, and community partnerships. We operate a free-roam shelter for cats; a foster program for dogs and cats; a community-driven animal care supply sharing program called It Takes a Pack; and the Animal Aid Cares Fund, a partnership with veterinarians, trainers, and behaviorists in Portland to provide financial assistance for urgent medical and behavioral care.

Animal Aid is led by a staff of 4, a board of 8, and a crew of 100+ volunteers assisting across all parts of the organization. Our staff and volunteers include those with many years of experience and dedication to the organization, as well as fresh new faces attending their first event or learning how to sanitize litter boxes. With a wide variety of personalities, Animal Aid has grown deep friendships–a place for both social dog walks and quiet cat time. We strive to be mindful and intentional about our organization’s culture and the impact it has on our internal and external operations and relationships. We recognize that Animal Aid’s culture is not a static entity, but one that is constantly influenced by the daily interactions, actions, and prioritizations of the individuals who comprise it. We believe that it is critical to be continually reflecting on our values, thoughtfully evaluating how our actions are aligned with those values, and courageously confronting and adapting our procedures to benefit the organization and best achieve our vision for the community. View Animal Aid’s organizational chart here.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Dog Foster & Adoption Coordinator serves as the primary contact for potential and active Animal Aid dog foster parents and dog adoption applicants. This person works with the Animal Care Manager and the Dog Intake & Adoption Committee to coordinate the placement of dogs into foster homes, oversee communication with dog foster parents, coordinates additional resources as needed by foster families (e.g., education, training, etc.), and participates in the adoption process for all dogs. This is a paid, up to 25-hour position with medical, dental, and vision healthcare benefits.

RESPONSIBILITIES:  

Foster parent on-boarding and management

• • • Promote the foster program and answer inquiries from the public. Work with Animal Aid committees to expand the foster program through marketing, education, etc.
    • Oversee the processing of foster applications, including home visits and any other necessary meetings with applicants. 
    • Maintain communications with active fosters through regular check-ins and home visits.
    • Organize vacation pet care for long-term fosters as needed.

Foster dog intake and management

• • • In coordination with the Dog Intake & Adoption Committee, oversee the dog intake process, including communications with rescue partners for transfers, the public for rehoming requests, and active foster families to bring on new dogs.
    • Act as the primary point of contact with active foster homes regarding animal behavior, veterinary care, and any other needs, in coordination with the Animal Care Manager.
    • Train and supervise the Emergency Dog Kennel volunteers on kennel procedures, scheduling volunteers, and communications with shelter staff.
    • Participate in staff meetings and Dog Intake & Adoption Committee meetings.

Foster animal promotion and adoption

• • • Work with the Dog Intake & Adoption Committee to draft bios for foster dogs. Coordinate with the Marketing Committee as needed for assistance with marketing and outreach efforts.
    • Review dog adoption inquiries and applications in coordination with the Dog Intake & Adoption Committee. Train, develop, and oversee volunteer dog adoption counselors to assist with processing adoption applications.
    • Coordinate and participate in meet-and-greets between foster dogs and interested adopters and organize adoption deliveries.
    • Organize any materials for foster parents and approved adopters, including paperwork and supplies for home placement.

Additional duties

• • • Serve as the emergency on-call contact for foster parents on a rotating basis with other Dog Team members.
    • Participate in Animal Aid’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access (DEIA) activities, including meetings every other month, training, and other initiatives.
    • Participate in additional organizational meetings, outreach and fundraising events as appropriate.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• • • Passion for animal welfare.
    • Experience in animal rescue, specifically working with dogs.
    • Belief in and adherence to fear-free, positive reinforcement training techniques only (i.e., no aversive or “balanced” training methods)
    • Strong communication skills, both verbal and written. Able to maintain professionalism, compassion, and clear communication at all times.
    • Strong interpersonal skills. Enjoys working with a wide variety of personality types.
    • Strong time management and organizational skills. Prompt with outreach and replies, as well as scheduling and maintaining appointments.
    • Desire to learn and grow as part of a team.
    • Basic proficiency with Google Suite and Microsoft Suite applications. Willing and motivated to learn new technologies, as needed.
    • Licensed driver with an insured vehicle and ability to transport animals.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• • • Previous professional experience with dogs of different sizes, temperaments, and medical and behavioral needs.
    • Previous experience with medicating animals.

REQUIREMENTS:

• • • Animal Aid is seeking candidates who support Animal Aid’s mission, vision, and values, as well as our commitment to DEIA.
    • The Animal Aid facility includes a free-roam cat shelter and cats in most every room, including offices. Candidates should not have serious cat allergies that would prohibit them from being in the facility and around cats for extended periods of time.
    • Animal Aid requires staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

HOURS: This is a part time, 25 hour/week, non-exempt position. There is potential for increased hours as you help grow the program. This position will be based at the Animal Aid shelter with the expectation of frequent off-site meetings to coordinate with fosters, adopters, and rescue partners. This position will require working on Saturdays from 12:00-4:00 PM, with a schedule for the remaining hours to be determined as part of the hiring process. This position will require and be given flexibility due to planning around the availability of foster parents, interested adopters, and rescue partners.

COMPENSATION: $20.00 an hour DOE. Benefits include medical/dental/vision insurance, PTO, and 7 paid holidays.

TO APPLY: Please submit a cover letter and resume as PDF documents to hiring@animalaidpdx.org and indicate in the subject line that you are applying for the Dog Foster & Adoption Coordinator position. The position is open until filled. Thank you!