Foster Program Manager

Company: Treehouse Animal Shelter
Location: Chicago
Posted on: September 21, 2023

Job Description:

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process. Foster Program Manager Full Time Assignee Tree House Humane Society, Chicago, IL, US 5 days ago Requisition ID: 1016 Salary Range: $47,528.00 Annually Onwards - Competitive compensation based on qualifications. JOB TITLE: - Foster Program Manager EMPLOYER: Tree House Humane Society CLASSIFICATION: Full Time, Exempt, Salary DEPARTMENT: - Shelter Operations REPORTS TO: - Senior Director of Operations EFFECTIVE DATE: September 2023 Who we are: - Tree House Humane Society is a leading animal welfare organization located in Chicago, IL. Founded in 1971, we have remained committed to enhancing the lives of humans and animals in our community through innovation, compassion, and care. Our state-of-the-art facility facilitates hundreds of adoptions to loving homes each year, including through our FeLV+ program out of our Cat Cafe. In 2021, we opened our Veterinary Wellness Center, dedicated to offering quality vet care at affordable prices. Through spay/neuter and wellness programs, as well as pop-up vaccine clinics and outreach, Tree House is committed to expanding access to care anywhere we go. Who you are: - You are upbeat and enthusiastic, enjoy a challenge, and are as comfortable with a passion to train volunteers to expand our work. You are a - dynamic, goal-oriented professional that is responsible for conducting and overseeing the daily functions of the entire foster program . You -are someone who wants to see every cat thrive, whether that is our adoptable feline leukemia cats, cats with behavioral challenges or outdoor community cats. You are comfortable navigating various resources and assisting our foster volunteers grow in their experience as a foster parent. - SUMMARY: - This position strategically plans to continually improve processes, recruit new foster volunteers to grow our foster base, retain current fosters, establish more efficient onboarding for fosters, create faster outcomes for foster animals, and enhance the overall experience for both fosters and our animals. This role is an advocate for fostering and how we can continue to increase our impact by highlighting the importance of this program. - Schedule: One weekend day required. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Creates and maintains training plans and protocols for Foster and trains any supporting staff and volunteers accordingly.
• Coordinate all functions of the foster program under the guidance of the Senior Director of Operations, including recruitment, training, placement, retention, and oversight of foster volunteers.
• In coordination with the Senior Director of Operations and Director of Veterinary Services, ensure proper procedures are in place for animal handling, disease control, and patient care in the Foster Program
• Maintain foster program manuals and develop and maintain foster standard operating procedures.
• Develop and maintain advanced/specialized foster parent training programs and protocols to ensure continual growth of the foster program.
• Ensure timely movement of animals into foster, and timely completion of required medical treatment and behavior modification plans; identifying candidates for foster as well as communicating about the return of cats from foster care.
• Ensure staff and volunteers follow Tree House's foster policies and guidelines when assisting potential fosters.
• Participate and encourage cross-department collaboration; attend weekly capacity meetings and population rounds.
• Regularly communicate with foster volunteers, both verbally and written, to ensure exceptional care for foster cats. Counsel foster volunteers on feline behavior and medical issues as directed by feline behaviorist and veterinary team. -
• Compile, organize and maintain electronic databases for all aspects of the foster program, contributing to monthly data reports. Assists in setting goals and tracking progress for the program. -
• Maintains foster inventory and schedule for foster appointments and other program needs, clearly communicates with medical department regarding scheduling needs.
• Work with Marketing to develop and maintain Foster Program promotional and educational materials, including printed materials, foster resource page of the website, Facebook page, banners, etc.
• Create and maintain a professional workplace conducive to high employee morale and output and cultivate a team environment of mutual respect.
• Performs other related duties as assigned. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • This role does not contain any staff direct reports but will closely work with clinic, adoption, and cat care staff.
  • Will manage all foster parent volunteers as well as volunteers that help with the day-to-day functions of the program. COMPETENCIES: Communication -- Expresses self--orally and in writing--in a manner that is clear, - well-organized and appropriate to the situation. Uses appropriate grammar, - punctuation/spelling, and tone. Listens carefully and sincerely considers others' ideas. Maintains confidentiality and expresses good judgment about what to say and when to say it. Keeps others informed. Customer Service -- Treats customers (internal and external) with respect and courtesy. Shows interest in, anticipates, and responds timely to customer needs and concerns. Goes beyond basic service expectations to help customers. Responds appropriately to and resolves difficult and emotional situations. Seeks ways to improve service delivery. Diversity -- Enthusiastically works with all employees, regardless of race, gender, culture, and age. Values contributions of people from diverse backgrounds. Demonstrates respect for opinions and ideas of others. Shows awareness of and sensitivity to cultural and individual values. Judgment -- Gathers data and others' input as appropriate when making decisions and handling diverse situations. Considers cost, organizational resources, and efficiency, as well as both long- and short-term outcomes. Can explain rationale for a decision. Observes safety and security procedures; uses equipment and materials properly. Recognizes when to consult higher level management. Managing People -- Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating, and process improvement. Aligns right work with the right people. Ensures team members have skills and resources to fulfill their job duties. Informs staff of what is expected of them and holds them accountable. Gives staff ongoing, constructive feedback on their performance and progress in light of expectations and goals. - Rewards and recognizes the hard work and results. Addresses performance issues promptly and corrects poor performance. Works to create a strong team. Problem Solving -- Identifies problems in a timely manner. Gathers and analyzes factors or causes. Generates and evaluates alternative solutions. Implements plan to solve problem. Assesses effectiveness of intervention. QUALIFICATIONS:
    • Bachelor's Degree (BA) from four-year college or university, or one to two - years of related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
    • General knowledge and passion for feline specific issues including health, behavior, handling, and restraint.
    • Computer skills required: Microsoft Office. Pet Point experience preferred.
    • Other skills strongly preferred: shelter-related experience; management experience. PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
      • Frequently required to stand
      • Frequently required to sit
      • Frequently required to talk or hear on the phone
      • Occasionally exposure to wet and/or humid conditions (non-weather)
      • The employee must occasionally lift and /or move up to 40 pounds
      • May be exposed to unpleasant odors, noises and animal bodily fluids or feces. -
      • May be exposed to aggressive, ill and/or injured animals, as well as bites, - scratches and infectious (zoonotic) animal diseases.
      • Work is completed in an office environment within an animal shelter. The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Tree House Humane Society is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to employ qualified individuals based on individual merit. Tree House Humane Society does not discriminate against any individual with respect to the terms and conditions of employment based on that individual's race, sex, age, religion, color, national origin, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, housing status, or any other non-merit factor protected under state, local or federal laws. Equal Employment Opportunity applies to all personnel actions such as recruiting, hiring, compensation, benefits, promotions, training, transfer, termination, and opportunities for training. Tree House Humane Society is committed to a fair and equitable workplace where everyone is a respected and valued member of the team. -
        Tuesday to Saturday. One weekend day required.
        #J-18808-Ljbffr

Keywords: Treehouse Animal Shelter, Chicago , Foster Program Manager, Executive , Chicago, Illinois