Foster Manager

Since 1984, we’ve dedicated ourselves to ensuring every animal has the quality of life they deserve – a life worth living. Now, we go beyond our walls to help create a more humane community for pets and the people who love them.

Asheville Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We do, however, hold the County contract for animal sheltering. This means that we are the open-admission shelter for all Buncombe County animals.

Position Summary

The Foster Manager is primarily responsible for developing and implementing the foster program to match pets in need of foster with foster families based on their skills and the animal's individual needs. This position provides supervision, resources, support and coaching to the foster team.?The Foster Manager also seeks to improve efficiency and effectiveness through program development and evaluation using metrics to evaluate program success.

Schedule: The Foster Manager will generally work at AHS Adoption Center. The typical work schedule is Monday-Friday from 9 am – 6 pm. This position may require hours outside the normal work week.

Compensation & Benefits: The salary range for the Foster Manager is $45,000-$48,000. AHS is pleased to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees that includes: medical, dental, and vision insurance, a Simple IRA plan with up to 3% company match, 18 days of PTO in the first year, paid holidays, pet prescription discounts, and more! Benefits are available after 60 days of employment.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide oversight, hire, train, and develop foster staff and volunteers while providing coaching, feedback, and growth opportunities for the team.
• Develop and maintain Foster SOPs and foster care literature and materials, considering current and best practices.
• Work closely with the Operations team to proactively and creatively address foster needs/requests and provide follow-up on requests to promote efficient foster placement.
• Address barriers to efficient foster placement creatively and effectively to reduce LOS on foster placement status.
• Evaluate program effectiveness using measurable goals and develop strategies for enhancement.
• Responsible for program budget development that considers program needs and expansion while also prioritizing conservative management of program supplies and funds.
• Work with the Foster Placement Coordinator to recruit, screen, and train potential foster families.
• Responsible for oversight of all written communication such as social media posts, foster promotion/requests and foster emails, working closely with Marketing to ensure communication is reflective of AHS branding and voice.
• Responsible for fielding and responding to all inquiries, messages, or concerns regarding the foster program in a professional and considerate manner with a focus on resolution.
• Address challenges or concerns presented by active or past foster families in a manner that prioritizes preserving the family’s commitment and interest in fostering, reserving dissolution of the fostering relationship as a last resort.
• Responsible for reporting and maintaining current behavior and medical records for pets in foster care.
• Ensure that all foster pets receive age-specific care such as scheduled vaccines, medical care/treatment, food, and supplies.
• Proficiency with medical animal handling and basic veterinary care in order to provide support to the Foster Veterinary Assistants as needed.
• Maintain departmental reports, spreadsheets, and other data as required.
• Work with appropriate staff to ensure space in the adoption center is available for scheduled foster returns.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• High school diploma or GED equivalent required.
• Prior experience working in animal welfare and/or management experience highly preferred.
• Basic computer knowledge and proficiency with MS Office.
• Ability to apply proper animal handling skills, basic medical knowledge, and knowledge of individual animal temperament.
• Ability to work independently, balance multiple projects, and meet deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, written, and communication skills.
• Ability to work with volunteers and co-workers in a professional manner.

This position requires standing for long periods. It requires the ability to stoop, bend, reach, and lift items weighing up to 50 pounds to a level of 4 feet high and handle dogs weighing up to 150 lbs.