Specialist, Foster Programs

Location:1312 Melissa Drive; Bentonville, AR 72712

Hiring Range:This position's hiring range isanticipatedto be $19.50 to $20.25 hourly, depending on experience, plus great benefits!

Interviews will occur weekly until the position is filled.

Position Summary:Foster Program Specialistsare responsible forthe daily functions and growth of the foster program including recruitment and retention of foster volunteers and animal placement and population management for animals in the program. Specialists act with urgency toaccomplishimportant tasks and play a direct role in achieving Best Friends Animal Society's no-kill mission and organizational success. While this role includes responsibilities primarily infosterprogram duties, coordinators may receive assignments in any outcome-focused programs, based on organizational needs.

Culture Statement and Responsibility:We believe in treating everyone with kindness and compassion, building trust throughauthenticityand followingthrough oncommitments. We prioritize well-being alongside our mission, fostering strong relationships through open communication and transparent feedback. Diversity and inclusion are integral to our culture, enriching team dynamics by valuing diverse perspectives. Each team memberis responsible forcreating an inclusive environment where all voices are respected and contributing to a workplace that embodies our shared values and commitment to progress. By consistently aligning our actions with our Guiding Principles, we strengthen our culture and ensure that our values are lived every day.

Essential Duties andResponsibilities:

• Demonstrate kindness and the Golden Rule in our everyday actions by practicing inclusion and respect for every person for the value they bring to the table. Be a role model for the spirit of authenticity, kindness and positive influence with each other, our visitors, and volunteers as wellas tothe animals every day. This includes listening, being present, being supportive of others and demonstrating compassion and curiosity in conflict.
• Promote, coordinate, andfacilitatefoster program animal placements by matching foster parent volunteers with animals in need by providing superior customer service, foster pet counseling and ongoing medical and behavior support throughout.
• Develop a general knowledge of the animals inBestFriends' care; deliver superior customer service, assist adopters, fosters and transfer partners by gathering information to match them with appropriate animals, arranging introductions, pet to petmeets; acquiring/providing medical records, health certificates (when necessary), follow-ups as needed or required.
• Support foster volunteer recruitment,engagementand retention opportunities to help expand Best Friends lifesaving capacity; introduce, recruit, and engage with local organizations, individuals, and stakeholders to develop andmaintainmutually beneficial relationships
• Facilitate animal outcome opportunities for animals infoster,this includes adoptions,eventsand transport.Coordinate logistics related to outcome opportunities, including but not limited to,animal selection, animal consultations, transport details and timelines, records management and scheduling.
• Assistor oversee the creation of engaging content for social media platforms,to includecreation and/or editing of written, video, and photo content. Work collaboratively with other departments and marketing teams toidentifyengagement opportunities with social media and PR to support lifesaving outcomes and programmatic needs at the center. Represent Best Friends in media relations when requested and ensure tomaintainBest Friends' voice across all communications.
• Assistother teams in providing basic care such as feeding, cleaning, walking, and medicating animals housed or transported within Best Friends' vehicles, buildings, or facilities; follow all policies andlocal standard operating procedures when completing daily functions to ensure health and safety standards are upheld.
• Work collaboratively with andassistBest Friends' team members in all areas of operations to develop, evolve, and implement efficient processes to achieve lifesaving goals; follow policies, procedures, and task lists,includingaccurateandtimelycommunications, work completion, data entry, and recordkeeping.
• Responsible formaintaininga safe workplace, valuing, and modeling safe work practices, adhering to organizational safety practices and rules, and communicating about unsafe practices and conditions.

Skills and Experience:

• High School Diploma or GED or 1-2 years' experience in customer service, volunteer coordination, animal related programs or similar.
• Experience leading teams and implementing programs preferred but notrequired.
• Strongcommunicationsskills.
• Bilingual or multi-lingual skills preferred but not required.
• Customer-centric, non-judgmental approach to engaging with adopters, partners, visitors, volunteers, and colleagues; familiarity and comfort with a conversational adoption process.
• Ability to work with, leash, kennel, walk, and handle cats and dogs, including those with health and/or behavior conditions/concerns; basic ability toidentifyand speak to medical and behavioral characteristics of dogs and cats.
• Strong interpersonal skills,a teamplayer, personable, professional, and able toget alongwith people fromdifferent backgrounds, as well as the ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations.
• Abilityto work in a fast-paced environment withwell-developedorganization skillsto juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.
• Resourceful, get-it-done attitude; initiative toassistin any area or process; problem solving, seeking answers independently and enthusiastically; flexibility to persist until goals are achieved.
• Proficiencywith Microsoft Office products; familiarity with shelter software/animal management software,or desire to learn.

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to:

• Routinely lift 40 pounds and perform daily strenuous activity including, but not limited to lifting, carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, cleaning, and bending.
• Perform repetitive tasks for extended periods of time including typing, sitting, walking, arm, and hand motion.
• Work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions including extreme heat and cold.
• Exposure to dogs, cats and other animals of all sizes, temperaments, and medical status.
• Ability to travel, including overnight stays, when needed.
• Must have a valid driver's license for at least 3 years,abilityto qualify to be added to Best Friends insurance.
• Daily hours and days of the week may vary according to the needs of thedepartmentschedule; position includes weekends, nights, and holiday work.

Thank you for your interest in pursuing a career at Best Friends Animal Society. Best Friends Animal Society is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or domestic partner status.

Applicants for employment in the U.S. must have valid work authorization that does not now and/or will not in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S. by Best Friends Animal Society.