ANIMAL SERVICES SPECIALIST-VOLUNTEER & FOSTER CARE ANIMAL SERVICES (2)

Requirements

Job Description

Comments From This Job Announcement

Summary:
This position performs intermediate professional and administrative work recruiting, onboarding and tracking services of volunteers and foster volunteers, identifying appropriate placement for shelter animals through foster care. This is accomplished by assisting the public and overseeing the coordination of the Shelter's volunteer and foster care program. This position will need to work weekend days to assist with volunteer and foster onboarding, community events to promote the volunteer and foster programs, holiday coverage or staffing issues as needed.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities include:
Oversee the foster care and volunteer programs including maintaining foster families, recruiting, training, mentoring and serving as primary contact for volunteers and foster volunteers, reviewing processes and policies and make recommended changes with regards to efficiency and effectiveness.
Conducts behavioral assessment and evaluation of animals to identify animals in need of foster placement and match appropriate foster families, including adoption ambassador fosters.
Prepares and maintains required paperwork for the volunteer and foster care program including collecting volunteer and foster applications and submitting them for approval.
Ensures that all approved foster care providers are in compliance with departmental standards including but not limited to: the application process; sanitation protocols; provision of daily observation of the animals; feeding and watering protocols; provision and documentation of veterinary care; provision and documentation of human and same-species daily interaction, exercise, play and environmental enrichment for animals in long term care; requirements for inspection by the shelter; and compliance by the foster care provider with the NC Animal Welfare Act.
Creates and disseminates promotional publicity for social media channels to promote the volunteer and foster care programs and recruit foster care families.
Performs foster care families training and counseling at the shelter, screens individuals wanting to foster animals and reviews foster care paperwork to ensure animals are placed in suitable homes.
Performs orientation training for volunteers, and pairs them with appropriate personnel for job-specific training and assignment.
Coordinates foster care pick-ups and drop-offs.
Schedules animals needing foster placement for vaccines, preventative care, and health check-ups.
Conducts routine check-ins with foster parents of special needs animals to ensure progress and provide support as needed.
Documents foster activities, progress, and concerns and ensure timely follow-up.
Tracks volunteer service hours and activities.
Build and maintain working relationships with volunteers and foster volunteers.
Attend community events to promote the volunteer and foster care program and to recruit volunteers foster care volunteers.
As part of a team environment, it may occasionally be required to assist with other Animal Services operations when staffing issues arise.
The responsibilities and duties outlined above are intended to provide a general outline and summary of this role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities. Additional tasks may be assigned as needed, with or without notice, to meet the needs of the department and county.


Education & Experience:
High School Diploma or GED and 2 years' experience in animal services, animal health, or animal care and welfare. Experience working with the foster care of animals preferred but not required.


Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Must possess excellent communication skills, including both written and oral communication, Excellent time management skills with the ability to prioritize multiple projects and be responsive to requests
Must have excellent interpersonal skills, General knowledge of modern and complex principles and practices of animal care.
Advanced knowledge of animal handling and behavior utilizing fear free methods.
Working knowledge of common health problems, medical care and treatment of companion pets.
Working knowledge of pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
General knowledge of local community resources regarding animal rescue efforts.
Ability to coordinate projects, set priorities, and quickly, calmly, and efficiently adapt to changing priorities.
Ability to maintain detailed records and effectively communicate animal needs in effort to secure appropriate placement.
Ability to meet deadlines, juggle multiple and competing priorities, and maintain a positive, engaging atmosphere.
Ability to deal tactfully and effectively with staff, volunteers, and the general public.
Ability to make sound judgments and work independently and in a team setting in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to use sound judgment when dealing with confidential information.
Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel.
Experience with animal shelter software helpful.


Work Environment / Physical Requirements:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This work requires frequent exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 50 pounds of force
Work regularly requires speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently requires standing, walking, sitting, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms and lifting and occasionally requires climbing or balancing, tasting or smelling, pushing or pulling and repetitive motions
Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word
Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels
Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data
Work regularly requires Animal Hair and Dander and Potentially Aggressive Animals, frequently requires exposure to wet, humid conditions (non-weather) and occasionally requires working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to outdoor weather conditions and exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment
Work is generally in a loud noise location (e.g. grounds maintenance, heavy traffic).


License & Certifications:
Valid driver's license with insurable driving record


Work Location:
This role must work from the location identified at the time of hire with work travel required as needed. Any change of work location, even on a short-term or interim basis, must be reviewed by the Supervisor and HR for approval.


Additional information:
Individuals hired must be able to perform essential duties satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Cleveland County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

How to apply for this job:

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$18.38/hr. **Compensation will be based on experience**

Salary Range

[email protected]

Contact Email

Full-Time

Job Type

ANIMAL SERVICES

Job Category

03/13/2026

Posted

03/30/2026

Deadline