Animal Welfare League of Arlington
Animal Foster Care & Transfer Coordinator
Animal Welfare League of Arlington, Washington, District Of Columbia, United States, 20310
Animal Foster & Transfer Coordinator
The Animal Foster & Transfer Coordinator plays a pivotal role in advancing the League's mission by ensuring an adequate number of foster homes, sufficient training and support for foster parents, and ultimately helping to expand AWLA's capacity to care for animals with diverse care needs. This position enhances the foster program by supporting and implementing policies and procedures while recruiting, coordinating, training, and retaining foster families; ensuring a positive, meaningful experience for foster animals and caregivers; and developing partnerships with shelters and rescue groups to reduce euthanasia risk and limit shelter stays. The range of pay for this position is: $19.50 - $23.00 per hour. The ideal candidate thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, is skilled at customer service, and knowledgeable of animal care and behavior needs. The ideal candidate must also be passionate about helping both people and animals to help further the League's commitment to saving lives and enriching communities. Responsibilities include the following, however other duties may be assigned: Work closely with animal care, medical, and behavior teams to create appropriate and ideal pathways for animals in our care and identify animals that are candidates for and would benefit from placement in a foster home. Participate in coordination of foster animal pick ups and drop offs. Monitor the health (preventatives, vaccines, surgeries, etc) and behavior of foster animals by being in regular communication with foster parents. Coordinate needed follow up or care actions with medical, behavior, adoptions, and animal control teams. Recruit, onboard, and engage foster parents through a variety of methods, and coordinate with other departments as needed to support these efforts. Ensure all training and resources help to ensure a supportive and positive experience. Maintain accurate records of all foster families, animal placements, and information of note about foster animals to help support their care decisions and find the right match for adoption. Collaborate with your supervisor and colleagues to evaluate and improve foster processes, protocols, and family support, focusing on effective communication, training, and inclusion. Assist in developing and facilitating foster orientation and training sessions. Promote teamwork and operational excellence by demonstrating a strong commitment to continuous improvement within the foster program. Ensure informative and timely communication with foster parents, both proactively to share reminders or new information and also responsively to ensure they are supported and their needs are met. Keep foster families informed by regularly updating them on program changes, challenges, policies, and protocols. Communicate compassionately about sensitive topics, such as medical treatments and euthanasia, and provide guidance to foster parents during these situations. Collaborate with AWLA staff to plan and implement activities and events that support the foster care program's growth and success. Manage foster supplies and materials to be provided to foster parents as needed. Coordinate cat, dog and small companion animal intakes from outside Arlington County, when space permits or when determined to be strategically necessary. Cultivate relationships with partner shelters and rescues, continually seeking innovative ways to assist animals in need and maintaining active MOUs and agreements with partner organizations. Collect and maintain relevant and required information, such as bite disclosures, for animals transferred in to AWLA and ensure accurate documentation in both physical and electronic files. Build a network of transfer partners to transfer AWLA animals out and other organization's animals in order to ensure optimal outcomes for shelter animals. Track and report transfer statistics to your supervisor regularly. Coordinate intake of transferred animals by enlisting support from volunteers and staff for activities including animal transport, medical intake, and documentation. Follow all AWLA policies and procedures to ensure a consistent and safe working environment. Prioritize safety by adhering to safety guidelines, modeling safe practices, and addressing any potential risks for staff, volunteers, shelter animals, and the public. Promote the humane treatment of all animals and encourage others to do the same. Follow direction from managers, directors, and the CEO to ensure alignment with the League's mission and goals. Contribute to shelter-wide initiatives and cross-departmental projects. Provide input for program development and grant reporting as needed. Supervisory Responsibilities: None - While this position does not have direct supervisory duties, it involves regular interaction with, training, and engagement of foster families and volunteers. The role also includes participating in ongoing educational opportunities related to the foster program for staff, volunteers, and the broader community. Qualifications: Education / Licenses / Certifications: Minimum of High school diploma or equivalent. Valid driver's license and clean driving record. Experience: General knowledge of animal care and behavior, or equivalent relevant experience. Experience working with various types of animals in a safe, responsible manner. Experience in customer service and client communication, in person, virtually and over the phone. Experience with or ability to learn shelter databases (e.g., PetPoint) preferred. Experience with or ability to learn neonate kitten care and a range of domestic animal species Languages: Bilingual skills in English/Spanish (helpful but not required). Key Skills: Strong communication and decision-making abilities, with a focus on maintaining a polite and professional manner in all interactions. Excellent interpersonal, listening, and conflict-resolution skills. Ability to stay calm, composed, and positive in stressful, sensitive, or emergency situations. Commitment to positive reinforcement and fear-free handling and training methods for animals. Ability to manage multiple projects, set priorities, and meet deadlines while balancing various responsibilities. Strong problem-solving skills, with a creative, forward-thinking approach to challenges. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with a variety of individuals and teams. Energetic, hardworking, and a team player who thrives in a fast-paced, ever-evolving environment. Strong computer literacy, including proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and the ability to learn and use shelter databases. Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion. Requirements: Flexible Schedule: Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, non-standard hours, and overtime as needed. Passion and Commitment: A deep passion for the organization's mission and dedication to its goals. Typical physical & mental demands: Working with animals involves frequent bending, reaching, stooping, and kneeling, and extended periods of walking or standing. You will need strong hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity to operate common equipment like computers, telephones, photocopiers, and other systems/tools used in daily tasks. Be prepared for exposure to injured or deceased animals, disinfectant chemicals, and fluctuating indoor and outdoor temperatures. You may assist in restraining animals, including those that are distressed or aggressive, and face potentially hazardous situations like bites or scratches. Physical strength and dexterity are essential for managing animals on a leash, often while performing other tasks such as opening doors. You should be able to lift and move heavy objects or animals (up to 50 lbs) and engage in active, physical work throughout the day. Clear hearing and vision are necessary for effective communication with the public, volunteers, staff, and animals. Flexibility and adaptability are also crucial to managing frequent interruptions and changes in routine. Comfort around a wide variety of animalsincluding dogs, cats, small companion animals, reptiles, amphibians, and wildlifeis key. Additionally, this role requires emotional intelligence, empathy, and resilience to handle both the rewarding and challenging aspects of working with animals. Candidates must maintain composure, show compassion, and stay focused in a dynamic environment. Vaccination requirement: Upon hire, employees will be required to receive rabies prophylaxis and tetanus vaccinations. Benefits: We offer comprehensive medical benefits, including dental and vision insurance. Employees accrue vacation and sick time separately, with 12 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays each year. After two years of employment, employees are eligible for a 7% retirement contribution from the company. This position also qualifies for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Additionally, we offer a salary bonus for proficiency in Arabic, Mandarin, Sign Language, Spanish, or Vietnamese. Employees also receive free pet adoptions, free pet vaccines, and other pet-related benefits.
The Animal Foster & Transfer Coordinator plays a pivotal role in advancing the League's mission by ensuring an adequate number of foster homes, sufficient training and support for foster parents, and ultimately helping to expand AWLA's capacity to care for animals with diverse care needs. This position enhances the foster program by supporting and implementing policies and procedures while recruiting, coordinating, training, and retaining foster families; ensuring a positive, meaningful experience for foster animals and caregivers; and developing partnerships with shelters and rescue groups to reduce euthanasia risk and limit shelter stays. The range of pay for this position is: $19.50 - $23.00 per hour. The ideal candidate thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, is skilled at customer service, and knowledgeable of animal care and behavior needs. The ideal candidate must also be passionate about helping both people and animals to help further the League's commitment to saving lives and enriching communities. Responsibilities include the following, however other duties may be assigned: Work closely with animal care, medical, and behavior teams to create appropriate and ideal pathways for animals in our care and identify animals that are candidates for and would benefit from placement in a foster home. Participate in coordination of foster animal pick ups and drop offs. Monitor the health (preventatives, vaccines, surgeries, etc) and behavior of foster animals by being in regular communication with foster parents. Coordinate needed follow up or care actions with medical, behavior, adoptions, and animal control teams. Recruit, onboard, and engage foster parents through a variety of methods, and coordinate with other departments as needed to support these efforts. Ensure all training and resources help to ensure a supportive and positive experience. Maintain accurate records of all foster families, animal placements, and information of note about foster animals to help support their care decisions and find the right match for adoption. Collaborate with your supervisor and colleagues to evaluate and improve foster processes, protocols, and family support, focusing on effective communication, training, and inclusion. Assist in developing and facilitating foster orientation and training sessions. Promote teamwork and operational excellence by demonstrating a strong commitment to continuous improvement within the foster program. Ensure informative and timely communication with foster parents, both proactively to share reminders or new information and also responsively to ensure they are supported and their needs are met. Keep foster families informed by regularly updating them on program changes, challenges, policies, and protocols. Communicate compassionately about sensitive topics, such as medical treatments and euthanasia, and provide guidance to foster parents during these situations. Collaborate with AWLA staff to plan and implement activities and events that support the foster care program's growth and success. Manage foster supplies and materials to be provided to foster parents as needed. Coordinate cat, dog and small companion animal intakes from outside Arlington County, when space permits or when determined to be strategically necessary. Cultivate relationships with partner shelters and rescues, continually seeking innovative ways to assist animals in need and maintaining active MOUs and agreements with partner organizations. Collect and maintain relevant and required information, such as bite disclosures, for animals transferred in to AWLA and ensure accurate documentation in both physical and electronic files. Build a network of transfer partners to transfer AWLA animals out and other organization's animals in order to ensure optimal outcomes for shelter animals. Track and report transfer statistics to your supervisor regularly. Coordinate intake of transferred animals by enlisting support from volunteers and staff for activities including animal transport, medical intake, and documentation. Follow all AWLA policies and procedures to ensure a consistent and safe working environment. Prioritize safety by adhering to safety guidelines, modeling safe practices, and addressing any potential risks for staff, volunteers, shelter animals, and the public. Promote the humane treatment of all animals and encourage others to do the same. Follow direction from managers, directors, and the CEO to ensure alignment with the League's mission and goals. Contribute to shelter-wide initiatives and cross-departmental projects. Provide input for program development and grant reporting as needed. Supervisory Responsibilities: None - While this position does not have direct supervisory duties, it involves regular interaction with, training, and engagement of foster families and volunteers. The role also includes participating in ongoing educational opportunities related to the foster program for staff, volunteers, and the broader community. Qualifications: Education / Licenses / Certifications: Minimum of High school diploma or equivalent. Valid driver's license and clean driving record. Experience: General knowledge of animal care and behavior, or equivalent relevant experience. Experience working with various types of animals in a safe, responsible manner. Experience in customer service and client communication, in person, virtually and over the phone. Experience with or ability to learn shelter databases (e.g., PetPoint) preferred. Experience with or ability to learn neonate kitten care and a range of domestic animal species Languages: Bilingual skills in English/Spanish (helpful but not required). Key Skills: Strong communication and decision-making abilities, with a focus on maintaining a polite and professional manner in all interactions. Excellent interpersonal, listening, and conflict-resolution skills. Ability to stay calm, composed, and positive in stressful, sensitive, or emergency situations. Commitment to positive reinforcement and fear-free handling and training methods for animals. Ability to manage multiple projects, set priorities, and meet deadlines while balancing various responsibilities. Strong problem-solving skills, with a creative, forward-thinking approach to challenges. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with a variety of individuals and teams. Energetic, hardworking, and a team player who thrives in a fast-paced, ever-evolving environment. Strong computer literacy, including proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and the ability to learn and use shelter databases. Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion. Requirements: Flexible Schedule: Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, non-standard hours, and overtime as needed. Passion and Commitment: A deep passion for the organization's mission and dedication to its goals. Typical physical & mental demands: Working with animals involves frequent bending, reaching, stooping, and kneeling, and extended periods of walking or standing. You will need strong hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity to operate common equipment like computers, telephones, photocopiers, and other systems/tools used in daily tasks. Be prepared for exposure to injured or deceased animals, disinfectant chemicals, and fluctuating indoor and outdoor temperatures. You may assist in restraining animals, including those that are distressed or aggressive, and face potentially hazardous situations like bites or scratches. Physical strength and dexterity are essential for managing animals on a leash, often while performing other tasks such as opening doors. You should be able to lift and move heavy objects or animals (up to 50 lbs) and engage in active, physical work throughout the day. Clear hearing and vision are necessary for effective communication with the public, volunteers, staff, and animals. Flexibility and adaptability are also crucial to managing frequent interruptions and changes in routine. Comfort around a wide variety of animalsincluding dogs, cats, small companion animals, reptiles, amphibians, and wildlifeis key. Additionally, this role requires emotional intelligence, empathy, and resilience to handle both the rewarding and challenging aspects of working with animals. Candidates must maintain composure, show compassion, and stay focused in a dynamic environment. Vaccination requirement: Upon hire, employees will be required to receive rabies prophylaxis and tetanus vaccinations. Benefits: We offer comprehensive medical benefits, including dental and vision insurance. Employees accrue vacation and sick time separately, with 12 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays each year. After two years of employment, employees are eligible for a 7% retirement contribution from the company. This position also qualifies for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Additionally, we offer a salary bonus for proficiency in Arabic, Mandarin, Sign Language, Spanish, or Vietnamese. Employees also receive free pet adoptions, free pet vaccines, and other pet-related benefits.