Santa Cruz SPCA
Are you passionate about animal welfare and love working with people just as much as pets? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment that requires flexibility and quick thinking? Join our team and help us build a community of lifesavers! We’re looking for a Volunteer & Foster Coordinator to support two of our most vital programs: the volunteer team that keeps our shelter running, and the foster network that gives animals a second chance at life.
Role Summary The Volunteer & Foster Coordinator plays a key role in delivering on the organization’s mission to provide safe harbor for animals in need and promote an active humane community through adoption, advocacy, and education. In partnership with the Manager of Volunteer and Humane Education Programs, this role is responsible for recruiting, training, supporting, engaging, and supervising volunteers and foster caregivers. The position ensures the needs of volunteers and fosters are met, while coordinating with staff across all departments to fulfill organizational volunteer needs and expand these essential programs. Our Volunteer & Foster Coordinator helps build and celebrate our "people power" so we can positively impact more animals in need.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities Volunteer Program (70%)
Present regular volunteer orientation and information sessions.
Manage volunteer schedules both virtually and on visual board; actively work to fill open shifts.
Coordinate required volunteer training for all available volunteer roles; deliver some role‑specific volunteer training.
Assist with developing and delivering continuing education for volunteers.
Coordinate and lead weekly and monthly roles such as our Green Team and Animal Photo / Video Team.
Maintain current volunteer e‑mail lists and regularly communicate about issues that affect individual roles.
Monitor and evaluate volunteer performance and provide feedback or coaching, as needed.
Support staff who are the immediate supervisors of volunteers.
Plan and coordinate group volunteer events (e.g. corporate volunteers, school groups, adoption/community events).
Perform routine data health activities in our volunteer database.
Write and send weekly volunteer update communications.
Assist with the development and delivery of annual volunteer appreciation and engagement strategy.
Monitor and order volunteer supplies.
Calculate and provide statistics for monthly Board reports. Provide other reports and data as needed.
Assist with regular program evaluation, including soliciting feedback from volunteers.
Foster Program (30%)
Recruit, select and train new foster volunteers.
Participate in process improvements for efficiently matching foster people with foster pets; contribute to other continual improvement efforts that enable program growth.
Regularly support and communicate with foster parents through e‑mail, phone, and face‑to‑face contact.
Monitor and evaluate foster performance and provide feedback or coaching as needed.
Coordinate initial foster placement, pick‑up, adoption meet‑and‑greet, vet visits and foster returns.
Coordinate and secure needed resources for foster parents, including (but not limited to) supplies, behavior support, and medical support.
Coordinate with Animal Care staff and Customer Care staff regarding other foster animal and person processes, including adoption marketing and showcasing.
Assist with developing continuing education for fosters.
Regularly maintain and report on our foster person and animal records in our database.
Solicit and share adoption marketing content for animals in foster homes.
Capture photo and video content to be used for social media and adoption marketing purposes.
Assist with the development and implementation of the annual foster appreciation and engagement strategy.
Order and monitor foster supplies.
Calculate and provide statistics for monthly Board reports.
Provide other reports, as needed.
Assist with regular program evaluation, including soliciting feedback from foster parents.
Other Responsibilities (5%)
Model exceptional customer service for internal and external customers alike.
Warmly greet clients in‑person, by phone, and by email and provide professional and caring information pertaining to the animals, the adoption process, donations, programming, and all other inquiry topics.
Perform other duties as required/requested to ensure a positive public image, the well‑being of animals and the public, and to improve the functioning of the organization.
Education, Skill, Experience
Minimum of 1‑3 years of experience working directly with volunteers, required (this experience may include leading, training, or supervising other volunteers).
Proficient in MS Word and Excel; experience with Office 365, Canva, or animal shelter software a plus. Must be able to learn new platforms.
Previous volunteer database administration experience, preferred.
Understanding of and ability to utilize social media or other channels as communication tool for fosters, volunteers and clients.
Self‑motivated with strong initiative, and strong time management skills.
Highly organized and able to manage time, set priorities, work independently, and meet deadlines independently.
Strong problem‑solving skills especially under stressful conditions.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written) with the ability to work effectively with a wide range of people and to navigate difficult conversations and situations, required. Bilingual abilities are preferred.
Strong customer service skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse groups.
Foster a team environment by working effectively with all staff and volunteers to collaboratively accomplish SCSPCA goals and objectives.
Must have compassion and concern for both animals and people.
Passionately supports the mission of the Santa Cruz SPCA and promotes the organization at every opportunity.
Must have a flexible schedule as some evening and weekend work will be required.
Valid CA Driver’s License and insurable driving record required.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements Weekend and evening work may be required. At least one weekend day will be included in the regular schedule.
This role is highly interactive and fast‑paced, requiring frequent multitasking, problem‑solving, and adaptability to shifting priorities. The shelter environment is often loud, active, and interruptive, with frequent engagement with volunteers, staff, and the public. Successful candidates must be comfortable working in a dynamic setting where flexibility and quick decision‑making are essential. Weekend and evening work will be required on occasions (e.g. for special events).
Work is performed in an office and animal shelter setting, with potential exposure to:
Zoonotic diseases, disinfectants, and animal allergens.
High noise levels from barking dogs, public interaction, and active shelter operations.
Large, strong, and fractious animals, with potential for bites, scratches, and handling‑related injuries.
Physical requirements include:
Prolonged periods of standing, walking, bending, kneeling, crouching, and reaching.
Regular handling of materials up to 40 lbs, with occasional lifting of up to 60 lbs.
Occasional handling of large, strong dogs up to 100 lbs, requiring physical control and confidence.
Candidates must be comfortable working in an energetic, ever‑changing environment that requires collaboration, patience, and resilience.
This is an on‑site role with occasional opportunities to work remotely, depending on departmental needs. We believe in fostering flexibility where possible while ensuring we maintain a vibrant and supportive in‑person workplace.
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Role Summary The Volunteer & Foster Coordinator plays a key role in delivering on the organization’s mission to provide safe harbor for animals in need and promote an active humane community through adoption, advocacy, and education. In partnership with the Manager of Volunteer and Humane Education Programs, this role is responsible for recruiting, training, supporting, engaging, and supervising volunteers and foster caregivers. The position ensures the needs of volunteers and fosters are met, while coordinating with staff across all departments to fulfill organizational volunteer needs and expand these essential programs. Our Volunteer & Foster Coordinator helps build and celebrate our "people power" so we can positively impact more animals in need.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities Volunteer Program (70%)
Present regular volunteer orientation and information sessions.
Manage volunteer schedules both virtually and on visual board; actively work to fill open shifts.
Coordinate required volunteer training for all available volunteer roles; deliver some role‑specific volunteer training.
Assist with developing and delivering continuing education for volunteers.
Coordinate and lead weekly and monthly roles such as our Green Team and Animal Photo / Video Team.
Maintain current volunteer e‑mail lists and regularly communicate about issues that affect individual roles.
Monitor and evaluate volunteer performance and provide feedback or coaching, as needed.
Support staff who are the immediate supervisors of volunteers.
Plan and coordinate group volunteer events (e.g. corporate volunteers, school groups, adoption/community events).
Perform routine data health activities in our volunteer database.
Write and send weekly volunteer update communications.
Assist with the development and delivery of annual volunteer appreciation and engagement strategy.
Monitor and order volunteer supplies.
Calculate and provide statistics for monthly Board reports. Provide other reports and data as needed.
Assist with regular program evaluation, including soliciting feedback from volunteers.
Foster Program (30%)
Recruit, select and train new foster volunteers.
Participate in process improvements for efficiently matching foster people with foster pets; contribute to other continual improvement efforts that enable program growth.
Regularly support and communicate with foster parents through e‑mail, phone, and face‑to‑face contact.
Monitor and evaluate foster performance and provide feedback or coaching as needed.
Coordinate initial foster placement, pick‑up, adoption meet‑and‑greet, vet visits and foster returns.
Coordinate and secure needed resources for foster parents, including (but not limited to) supplies, behavior support, and medical support.
Coordinate with Animal Care staff and Customer Care staff regarding other foster animal and person processes, including adoption marketing and showcasing.
Assist with developing continuing education for fosters.
Regularly maintain and report on our foster person and animal records in our database.
Solicit and share adoption marketing content for animals in foster homes.
Capture photo and video content to be used for social media and adoption marketing purposes.
Assist with the development and implementation of the annual foster appreciation and engagement strategy.
Order and monitor foster supplies.
Calculate and provide statistics for monthly Board reports.
Provide other reports, as needed.
Assist with regular program evaluation, including soliciting feedback from foster parents.
Other Responsibilities (5%)
Model exceptional customer service for internal and external customers alike.
Warmly greet clients in‑person, by phone, and by email and provide professional and caring information pertaining to the animals, the adoption process, donations, programming, and all other inquiry topics.
Perform other duties as required/requested to ensure a positive public image, the well‑being of animals and the public, and to improve the functioning of the organization.
Education, Skill, Experience
Minimum of 1‑3 years of experience working directly with volunteers, required (this experience may include leading, training, or supervising other volunteers).
Proficient in MS Word and Excel; experience with Office 365, Canva, or animal shelter software a plus. Must be able to learn new platforms.
Previous volunteer database administration experience, preferred.
Understanding of and ability to utilize social media or other channels as communication tool for fosters, volunteers and clients.
Self‑motivated with strong initiative, and strong time management skills.
Highly organized and able to manage time, set priorities, work independently, and meet deadlines independently.
Strong problem‑solving skills especially under stressful conditions.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written) with the ability to work effectively with a wide range of people and to navigate difficult conversations and situations, required. Bilingual abilities are preferred.
Strong customer service skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse groups.
Foster a team environment by working effectively with all staff and volunteers to collaboratively accomplish SCSPCA goals and objectives.
Must have compassion and concern for both animals and people.
Passionately supports the mission of the Santa Cruz SPCA and promotes the organization at every opportunity.
Must have a flexible schedule as some evening and weekend work will be required.
Valid CA Driver’s License and insurable driving record required.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements Weekend and evening work may be required. At least one weekend day will be included in the regular schedule.
This role is highly interactive and fast‑paced, requiring frequent multitasking, problem‑solving, and adaptability to shifting priorities. The shelter environment is often loud, active, and interruptive, with frequent engagement with volunteers, staff, and the public. Successful candidates must be comfortable working in a dynamic setting where flexibility and quick decision‑making are essential. Weekend and evening work will be required on occasions (e.g. for special events).
Work is performed in an office and animal shelter setting, with potential exposure to:
Zoonotic diseases, disinfectants, and animal allergens.
High noise levels from barking dogs, public interaction, and active shelter operations.
Large, strong, and fractious animals, with potential for bites, scratches, and handling‑related injuries.
Physical requirements include:
Prolonged periods of standing, walking, bending, kneeling, crouching, and reaching.
Regular handling of materials up to 40 lbs, with occasional lifting of up to 60 lbs.
Occasional handling of large, strong dogs up to 100 lbs, requiring physical control and confidence.
Candidates must be comfortable working in an energetic, ever‑changing environment that requires collaboration, patience, and resilience.
This is an on‑site role with occasional opportunities to work remotely, depending on departmental needs. We believe in fostering flexibility where possible while ensuring we maintain a vibrant and supportive in‑person workplace.
#J-18808-Ljbffr