Foster Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Foster Specialist

Reports to the Foster Manager

Join the Team at Cincinnati Animal CARE

At Cincinnati Animal CARE (CAC), we do work that matters.

Every day, our team protects animals, supports our community, and helps save thousands of lives each year through compassionate care, advocacy, and education.

This work is meaningful, fast-paced, and can be challenging, but for the right person, it’s incredibly rewarding.

We are a team built for impact, made up of people who care deeply, work hard, support one another, and show up every day committed to making a difference.

If you are passionate about animals, thrive in a mission-driven environment, and want your work to have purpose, we’d love to have you join us.

About the Role

We are looking for a Foster Specialist to join our team and play an important role in supporting CAC’s mission.

In this position, you will:

• Recruit new foster families, engage and support current foster families, and assist with the placement of animals into the Foster Program.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys meaningful work, takes pride in helping others, and wants to contribute to a growing organization making a real impact in the community.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

Your day-to-day may include:

• Recruit foster families to meet the needs of our animal population
• Receive and approve foster family applications
• Assist with the matching of foster families with appropriate foster animals based on their skills and living situation
• Assist with urgent foster planning for animals needing placement for behavior and medical reasons
• Respond to emails and phone calls from foster families within a timely manner on assigned workdays and schedule
• Report foster family concerns to the foster department supervisor
• Work with the medical team to manage emergencies, schedule vaccines and medication pickup as needed with foster families
• Assist with the tracking of supplies and inventory for foster program
• Assist with the scheduling of the pick up and return of foster animals
• Work with Outcomes to facilitate the adoption of animals from their foster homes
• Assist with the management of our Foster Facebook Page
• Provide excellent customer service to foster families and potential fosters
• Greet and speak personally with foster families on-site whenever possible
• Take turns with other members of the Foster team to monitor and respond to the Foster Emergency phone after-hours
• Work alongside of and collaborate with our dedicated volunteer staff to ensure daily responsibilities and ongoing projects are optimal and high functioning.
• Supporting additional organizational needs as they arise

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role

We’re looking for someone who:

• Is passionate about CAC’s mission and animal welfare
• Brings a positive, team-first attitude
• Communicates openly and professionally
• Takes ownership and solves problems proactively
• Thrives in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment
• Can balance compassion with accountability
• Is dependable, adaptable, and eager to learn

Qualifications

Preferred/Required:

• A high school diploma or equivalent
• Customer service experience preferred
• Must be able to adjust schedule to meet the needs of the department, including participation in events in the community or at the shelter
• Must have availability to monitor and respond to the Foster Emergency phone on assigned days including after-hours and overnight (regularly hourly compensation will be provided)

Why Join CAC?

At CAC, you’ll be part of more than just a workplace. You’ll join a team of people doing meaningful work together.

We offer:

• The opportunity to make a real difference every day
• A mission-driven, supportive team culture
• Growth and development opportunities
• Competitive benefits package
• A workplace where your work directly impacts animals and the community

Compensation & Benefits

• Pay: Minimum pay of $16.83 after successful 90 day training period. $15.75 during training period.
• Retirement plan with employer match
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Professional Development Assistance
• Life Insurance

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, controls, or tools listed above; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; in high, precarious places; and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high.
• Exposure and handling unvetted animals and their waste is frequent.