Foster Program Assistant

JOB TITLE:Foster Program AssistantEMPLOYER: Tree House Humane SocietyDEPARTMENT:Shelter Operations \- Foster ProgramREPORTS TO: Foster Program ManagerEFFECTIVE DATE:02/03/2026 Please upload a cover letter with your application.### SUMMARY

The Foster Program Assistant supports the daily operations of the Foster Program by serving as a key point of contact for foster volunteers and internal teams. This role is responsible for coordinating logistics, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring foster caregivers receive timely guidance and support in alignment with behavior and medical recommendations. The ideal candidate is highly organized, compassionate, and skilled at balancing administrative tasks with frequent communication in a fast\-paced environment.### DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Foster Program Operations \& Communication

• Serve as a primary contact for foster volunteers, providing timely, professional, and compassionate communication via email, phone, and messaging platforms.
• Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive foster, volunteer, and animal records in accordance with organizational policies and best practices.
• Support daily foster operations, ensuring smooth coordination between volunteers and staff, following best practices, program protocols, and guidance from behavior, adoption, and medical.
• Help onboard new foster volunteers with established procedures.
• Triage foster inquiries, concerns, and requests, independently resolving routine issues within established protocols and escalating medical, behavior, or welfare concerns when they fall outside of scope or require clinical or leadership decision\-making.
• Schedule and facilitate pickups, drop\-offs, veterinary appointments, and supply distribution. Collect and review timely animal updates from foster volunteers.
• Safely handle cats for foster\-related logistics, including placing cats into carriers for foster pick\-ups, returns, and temporary housing, following established safety and low\-stress handling protocols.

+ Track foster animal movement and ensure proper documentation for all transfers. Ensure timely, accurate, and complete data entry in specified databases (e.g. ShelterLuv), including foster placements, medical observations, behavior updates, and general foster notes.

+ Assist in weekly reviews of the current population to determine needs for foster placements.

+ Assist with special projects, events, or departmental initiatives as assigned.

### QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Strong organizational and time\-management skills with keen attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with volunteers, staff, and the public.
• Comfort working in a fast\-paced, emotionally demanding environment.
• Proficiency with databases and office software (Google Suite); experience with ShelterLuv or similar shelter management systems preferred.
• Comfort supporting foster caregivers through emotionally complex situations with empathy and professionalism.

Preferred

• Experience working in an animal shelter, rescue, veterinary clinic, or foster\-based program.
• Knowledge of basic animal behavior, medical terminology, and animal welfare best practices.
• Experience supporting or coordinating with volunteers.
• Bilingual skills are a plus.

### Physical \& Work Environment Requirements

• Frequently required to sit, stand, bend, stoop, and move throughout the facility for extended periods.
• Ability to lift or move supplies weighing 10 lbs, must occasionally lift or move supplies up to 35 lbs.
• 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.
• Ability to safely handle cats using fear\-free or low\-stress handling techniques, with training provided.

Ability to work a flexible schedule as needed to support foster operations, including occasional evenings or weekends.

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### CORE COMPETENCIES

* 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.

* 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 considers others' ideas. Maintains confidentiality and expresses good judgment about what to say and when to say it. Keeps others informed.

* Problem Solving: Identifies problems in a timely manner. Gathers and analyzes factors or causes. Generates and evaluates alternative solutions. Implements a plan to solve the problem. Assesses effectiveness of intervention.

* Attendance \& Dependability: Is consistently at work and on time. Follows instructions and responds to management direction. Provides consistent, timely, high\-quality work. Follow through on commitments. Uses time efficiently. Takes responsibility for own actions.

* Teamwork: Listens and responds constructively to others’ views. Gives and welcomes feedback. Provides assistance to others when they need it. Shares expertise. Acknowledges others effort and contribution. Puts success of the team above own interests. Creates a positive work environment.

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.

Schedule: 9am to 5pm or 10am to 6pm, Sundays to Thursdays (schedule subject to change during initial training period)