Kitten Foster Coordinator - Contra Costa Humane Society

Position: Kitten Foster Coordinator

Reports to: Animal Operations Director

Application Review: Feb 7, 2025

Overview: Seeing a need to build a program that supported fosters who were supporting kittens, CCHS and CCAS went into partnership in 2024 to find ways to reduce the death rate of neonate and young kittens in need of round the clock care. We are proud that last year, we supported over 850 kittens, with no euthanasia occurring because a foster was not available. The Kitten Foster Coordinator serves as the primary CCHS coordination point for the kitten foster program, including after hours support for fosters, foster recruiting, orientation and training, underaged foster kitten placement and general support in partnership with Contra Costa Animal Services (CCAS). The Kitten Foster Coordinator supports the Animal Operations Director with the following tasks, including but not limited to: animal intake; foster recruiting, coordination, management and training; daily adoption application screening; adoption meeting coordination; animal records management; transportation of animals to veterinary appointments, foster supplies management, and Kitty Corner support, as needed.

Working Hours: Up to 20 hours a week, with weekends expected. Adjustments to assignments that require additional hours are agreed in advance.

Essential Functions

Manages all aspects of the kitten foster volunteer program including maintaining and retaining existing volunteers while recruiting, onboarding, and training new volunteers. Providing coaching assignments, ongoing support, and feedback which may include foster dismissal to all foster volunteers.
Primarily responsible for coordination and oversight of kittens in foster, from initial placement up through adoption, including foster movement and final outcomes.
Recruits new volunteers and trains all foster volunteers on foster care providers on basic procedures and guidelines, assigns coaches, and provides support, when needed, to help every foster be successful with the kittens in their care.
Assists Programs Manager with foster kitten intake, including general kitten assessment as well as necessary medical assessments and records management, as needed.
Coordinates movement of animals into and out of foster care, including between CCAS and within the Contra Costa Humane Society foster network
Maintains regular contact with foster care providers; provides first-line support for behavioral and medical issues
Manages communication with fosters, including procedure updates, and health/behavior escalation
Maintains meticulous records of animal care, status, location and treatment plans using the shelter database software and other tools as needed
Transports animals using own vehicle from CCAS to fosters and vet appointments within Contra Costa County, as needed
Coordinates vaccinations and medical treatment plans with fosters, including oversight of foster-administered medication
Maintains Foster Orientation and Training Guidelines, working with assigned Staff and volunteers, as needed, to ensure resources are current and easily accessible.
Schedules and leads foster volunteer meetings and trainings intended to share best practices, updates on the program and education to keep fosters engaged, supported and feel sense of community
Maintains appointment availability on the Waitlist app for fosters, including training fosters on using the functionality
Other duties as assigned

Qualifications and Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent
Familiarity through training or hands on experience with basic animal care such as handling animals, vaccination, deworming, weighing and medical treatment
A minimum of one year of experience working or volunteering with an animal care facility, rescue, or shelter is preferred
Hands-on experience as a kitten foster is preferred.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Ability to work in close coordination with CCAS to ensure kittens are placed in foster with priority and timely transfer.
Demonstrated commitment to the mission, goals and success of CCHS
Knowledge of basic animal health care and safe animal handling practices
Ability to establish and maintain effective and positive working relationships with a variety of stakeholders — foster families, volunteers, staff, shelter personnel, and Contra Costa Humane Society Board of Directors
Flexibility, adaptability, and aptitude for effectively prioritizing multiple tasks and responding to high-pressure requests, including decision making and escalation when needed with the ability to pivot quickly under different circumstances
Able to operate effectively in a team environment
Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office and database systems; experience with ShelterLuv shelter management software is a plus, but not required
Comfortable working directly with and handling animals
Valid California driver’s license, working car, and insurance

Working Conditions

Primary working location will be in animal shelter environments (both CCAS and CCHS) local animal shelter(s), as assigned)
Potential for exposure to animal bites and scratches; and animal feces, blood and zoonotic diseases
Must be able to work a flexible schedule which may include nights and weekends
Must be able to tolerate the emotional aspect of working in an animal shelter environment
Adept at managing through unexpected situations to ensure animal care needs are addressed under an immediate or emergency situation

Job Types: Part Time | Salary: $18.00 per hour

Schedule

5 hour shift – Noon to 5pm, preferred
On call support with Foster Hotline

Ability to commute/relocate

Pleasant Hill, CA 94523: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Experience

Animal care or foster: 1 year (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

To be considered for this job opportunity, please submit your cover letter and resume by email with the subject line “Kitten Foster Coordinator” to scowherd@cchumane.org.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commitment

CCHS is committed to providing equal opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, political or religious affiliations, or any other characteristic protected by law (“Protected Status”).