Volunteer, Foster and Program Coordinator

Job Title: Volunteer, Foster and Program Coordinator

Location: Naperville, Illinois

Department: Shelter

Reports To: Executive Director

FLSA Status: Full Time/Part-time, Non-exempt

Pay Range: $17.00-$19.00 DOE

About Us:

A.D.O.P.T. is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that has found homes for more than 30,000 pets. We provide a temporary, loving home for dogs and cats that no longer have a family of their own. The animals in our shelter have ended up here for a variety of reasons ranging from abandonment, to rescue from an abusive situation, to owner surrender because they no longer are able to take care of them. Our animals are loving, family pets who are desperately awaiting for their forever home.

A.D.O.P.T. was founded in 1989 by a group of dedicated volunteers determined to find homes for animals in need. Over the years, our objective has remained the same: to place animals into permanent, caring homes and advance the humane treatment of animals through education.

Job Purpose:

The Volunteer, Foster and Program Coordinator shall be responsible for the coordination, orientation and scheduling of all A.D.O.P.T. volunteers for shelter support, clinic assistance, programming and fundraising events. This role will also plan, coordinate and participate in the activities of any after-school or weekend programs and summer day camps of A.D.O.P.T. The position will require collaborative efforts with parents and staff. This role is key in providing education for youth, groups and overall community.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Training, scheduling, and supervising of front desk, animal care and administrative volunteers.
• Recruiting of new volunteers
• Management of record keeping for volunteers through Volgistics
• Scheduling and presentation of volunteer orientation to be held monthly
• Assisting with events and activities as needed
• Meeting and greeting visitors to the shelter
• Management of community service volunteer program
• Coordinates volunteer recognition programs
• Management of corporate volunteer groups
• Conducts informational sessions for potential volunteers and speaks with various groups regarding volunteer opportunities, animal adoption and rescue awareness
• Handling and addressing conflicts that arise within volunteer groups.
• Work with the Executive Director, Shelter Operations Manager and Animal Program Instructor on developing and directing youth outreach programming for K through 12th grade, including but not limited to youth programs, special events centered around animal welfare and humane education.
• Coordinate and manage schedules and activities of programs and summer day camps.
• Provide supervision for after-school programs and summer day camps. This would also require coordinating staffing necessary for programs.
• Coordinate and manage all summer camp applications for families and the community.
• Maintain detailed enrollment records for all programming, including after-school program and summer day camps.
• Responsible for recording and processing information relative to statistics, finances, communications, and evaluation for all programming.
• Create weekly and monthly program schedules for all programs, including detailed after-school programs and summer day camp schedules.
• Troubleshoot logistics of our animals’ arrival and finding available foster homes.
• Provide foster families with everything they’ll need, like:
• Information and advice on caring for animals using fear-free methods, common animal medical concerns to be aware of, reading animal behavior, etc.
• Loading them up with the basics: food, litter, bedding, toys, and more.
• Making the introduction to their new furry foster!
• Respond to foster families’ questions and concerns with urgency.
• Work collaboratively with other departments to triage any medical and/or behavioral concerns of foster animals. Attend events to promote our foster program and recruit more foster families.
• Help organize foster-based adoption events to find our animals forever families!
• Ensure all material used in any programming aligns with A.D.O.P.T’s mission and vision statements.
• Maintain a positive work atmosphere by behaving and communicating in a manner that fosters and maintains positive relationships with co-workers and supervisors. This would include but not be limited to such actions:
• resolution of conflicts in a positive manner;
• courteous treatment of staff, clients, and visitors;
• respect of others' property and person;
• professional and appropriate communication to and about co-workers, supervisors, and subordinates.
• Support the Mission of A.D.O.P.T. by treating every donor, contact and colleague with respect and dignity, and without discrimination of any kind.
• Additional duties as assigned
• Duties and responsibilities may change, and new ones may be added, at any time with or without advanced notice.

Skills & Qualifications

• A.D.O.P.T. functions seven days per week, evening or weekend hours will be necessary on occasion
• Ability to work as a team player with other staff and volunteers
• A positive attitude and the ability to be flexible changing job positions/priorities.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office.
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills.
• Uses diplomacy and good judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to use initiative and be a self-starter.
• Attention to detail, procedures, processes, and policies.
• Possess a basic knowledge of dog/cat breed characteristics and behaviors
• Possess safe animal handling skills and be comfortable interacting with all varieties and temperaments of dogs and cats while maintaining a safe, calm, and humane work environment
• Experience training and supervising volunteers
• Customer service experience preferred
• College or advanced degree preferred
• Experience with animal foster programs
• Minimum of two years' experience in youth work considered in lieu of related degree.
• Completion of A.D.O.P.T’s animal behavior seminars within the first six months of employment.
• A commitment to uphold and promote the mission of A.D.O.P.T. and an appreciation of animal welfare service organizations.

Working Conditions:

• The worker is subject to both environmental conditions: Activities occur inside and outside.

Physical Requirements:

• Light work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.
• Standing: Remaining upright on the feet, particularly for sustained periods of time
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another
• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to-position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of the upper extremities and back muscles
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; those activities where detailed or important spoken instructions must be conveyed to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly
• Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction, and having the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and making fine discriminations in sound.
• Repetitive motions: Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.

A.D.O.P.T. provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees and strictly prohibits any type of harassment or discrimination in regards to race, religion, age, color, sex, disability status, national origin, genetics, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, gender expression, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, and/or local laws.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of A.D.O.P.T. to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact [name and/or department, telephone, and e-mail address].

Your employment with A.D.O.P.T. is on an at-will basis, meaning either you or the Company can terminate the employment relationship, at any time, for any or no reason, and with or without cause or notice. As an at-will employee, your employment with A.D.O.P.T. is not guaranteed for any length of time.