STARTING SALARY $19.59 PER HOUR, OR HIGHER BASED ON EXPERIENCE

POSITION SUMMARY

As Kansas City’s largest and most comprehensive no kill pet adoption campus, Wayside Waifs prepares pets and people for the bond of their lives. More than 25,000 pets and people are served annually through pet adoptions, youth education, canine training programs, community outreach, pet memorial services, and more. Wayside is a private, 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity with local, regional, and national programming. We are supported by private donations and grants. To see all of the animals available for adoptions, to donate, or to learn more about how you can get involved, visit waysidewaifs.org.

The Foster Program Coordinator plays a vital role in supporting animals through the Wayside Waifs dynamic Foster Program. Working with the Foster Manager, the Coordinator maintains tracking and communications with potential and current foster homes in collaboration with other departments involved in pathway planning. The Foster Coordinator helps promote and support a culture of innovation, compassion, and excellence with a positive, can-do attitude.

PRIMARY ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Provide excellent customer service to our foster volunteers and shelter staff.
2. Assist the Foster Program Manager in identifying shelter animals needing foster placement and placing them with appropriate foster volunteers promptly.
3. Assist the Foster Program Manager in managing new foster volunteers and retaining existing volunteers through training and relationship building.
4. Assist the Foster Program Manager with the Foster Facebook page.
5. Process volunteer hours and update Volgistics database as needed.
6. Coordinate planned and unplanned medical care and examinations for foster animals.
7. Assist the Foster Program Manager in developing training opportunities for Wayside’s Foster volunteers and in developing improved foster training materials.
8. Work with the Foster Program Manager to continue to expand and improve Wayside Waifs’ Foster Program.
9. Prepare quarterly department newsletter.
10. Coordinate the annual Foster Program donation drive event.
11. Assist with other duties as assigned.

PRIMARY TASKS AND DUTIES

• Support Wayside Waifs’ foster volunteers and animals in foster
• Identify and place animals requiring foster care
• Provide coverage on the days that the Foster Program Manager is not at the shelter

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/ KEY COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge about canine and feline health, common shelter behaviors in dogs and cats, animal body language and common shelter diseases.
• Strong animal handling skills.
• Demonstrate a high level of customer service skills.
• Demonstrate the ability to make critical decisions supported by analysis and critical data-based decision making.
• Ability to work with people in a variety of high-stress, and emotional situations.
• Assistance with humane euthanasia due to a medical condition may be necessary on occasion.
• A passion for the mission of Wayside Waifs.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Professional

• Strong customer service background.
• Demonstrated excellent written, verbal communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Basic knowledge of shelter medicine such as drawing blood, shelter diseases, and disease control practices preferred.
• Previous shelter and foster experience desired.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills preferred.
• Pet Point and Volgistics knowledge a plus.

Education

• High School Diploma or GED.

Physical/Environmental

• Must be able to lift 50lbs. to waist-height.
• Repetitive bending, kneeling, stooping, and similar movements are also required.
• Must be able to physically restrain dogs weighing up to and including 100lbs.
• Exposure to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions.
• Significant amount of standing during a typical day, exposure to fumes, animal smells or airborne particles.
• The noise level is moderate to high.
• Will be working with and exposed to a variety of animals and animal waste.

Hours:

• The Foster Program Coordinator is a non-exempt position and is budgeted for 40 hours per week. All hours worked should be documented and recorded by the timekeeping system. Overtime must be authorized in advance by the Foster Program Manager.  
• The Foster Coordinator position will be scheduled to work four ten-hour days: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday