The foster program is one of the major programs enabling PAWS Chicago to save lives and is an extremely important role at PAWS Chicago as we grow. The role of the Program Coordinator is to oversee the process of placing and managing animals in outside foster care whether for medical. space, behavioral or other reasons. This position has an extensive amount of interfacing with our foster volunteer base.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintain professionalism, a positive attitude, and ensure a high level of customer service is provided in all interactions
• Coordinate and assist in management of the PAWS Chicago Foster Program. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Screen applications and determine whether candidates are in compliance with PAWS Chicago's prerequisites for fostering. Being sure to respond to all new foster applications within 24 hours of receipt and set up appointments as soon as foster availability allows
• Review animals medical and behavioral needs to best match with an appropriate foster parent and environment.
• Maintain high focus on animals with behavior issues and identify appropriate fosters to manage them effectively
• Respond to all routine and non-emergency emails and voice mails within 24 hours of receipt
• Ensure all animals have clear, appropriate photos before entering any foster program
• Ensure that foster care information, communications, reports, website, and social media page is complete, accurate, current and approved.
• Regularly monitor PAWS Chicago Foster Facebook group for medical or behavioral concerns needing to be addressed
• Assure that all foster volunteers receive the necessary training and support to perform their foster care responsibilities.
• Train and engage key volunteers to support the Foster Program
• Track long-term/short-term fosters ensuring medication and vaccinations are always kept up to date
• Interact cohesively and daily with management to be aware of intake plans and potential needs for foster homes and proactively monitor animals that may have foster needs in the future and act quickly once it becomes clear that foster is needed
• Acquire knowledge of domestic animals including breeds, behavior, appropriate care and housing, common health problems, disease symptoms and handling techniques
• Effectively escalate any matters requiring management awareness or involvement
• Interact daily with Shelter Medicine Team and Animal Care Team
• Work to meet or exceed the goals set for efficient timeframes of placing animals in foster following intake.
• Schedule appointments for animal pick-ups, rechecks and/or drop offs in alignment with resources and time availability

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  Provide ongoing guidance/mentorship and support to foster homes. This includes: training, providing supplies, giving medical advice, emergency care support and also helping to maintain the morale of foster supporters.
• Respond to medical or behavioral emergencies of foster parents and relay information in a timely manner to and from the medical team and/or animal operations team
• Ensure lobby and foster area is neat, foster food storage area is stocked, and relevant foster and other program materials are stocked

Requirements

• Passion for animals and animal welfare
• Bachelors Degree
• Proven Experience in Customer Service
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; Ability and desire to interface with the public and volunteers
• Ability to stay focused on the priorities of the job; strong time management skills
• Ability to work and think independently; Proven organization skills with attention to detail.
• Creative thinker and planner; Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to implement proactive solutions
• Ability to multi-task and work well under pressure in a dynamic, team environment
• Weekend and possible evening availability
• Ability to travel and work from any PAWS Chicago location
• Passion for animals and animal welfare
• Willingness to work out of any of PAWS Chicagos designated foster offices
• Experience with excel and Microsoft word
• Strong creative writing skills
• Ability to instruct and delegate tasks to others
• General knowledge of cats and dogs in regard to medical and behavior.

Physical Requirements

• Climbing stairs, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, lifting and grasping.
• Walking and moving about to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
• Able to lift 20lbs occasionally, 10lbs frequently and a negligible amount constantly.
• Repetitive motion.