Foster Care Specialist

Description

The Humane Society for Southwest Washington is currently seeking a full-time Foster Care Specialist to join our team.

Since 1897, HSSW has been the leader in animal welfare across Southwest Washington. With an annual operating budget of $15 million, we are the largest and most innovative animal welfare organization in the region. Our shelter campuses in Vancouver and Longview, WA serve more than 10,000 animals each year , providing high-quality care, medical services, and the compassion they deserve.

Our community-based approach helps keep pets and people together. Through the Nierenberg Community Veterinary Clinic , the Sandra Richardson Miller Mobile Veterinary Clinic , the Swigert Family Behavior & Training Center , and programs like free pet food and other essential resources, we serve more than 18,000 owned animals annually expanding access to affordable veterinary care, spay/neuter, training, and support.

We also own and operate ReTails Thrift Store , a top shopping destination named Best Thrift Store in Clark County for eight consecutive years, providing vital funding for our mission.

At HSSW, you’ll find an innovative, high-energy culture where your passion for animals and people can make a real difference. We’re looking for team members who want to be part of something bigger: supporting pets, strengthening families, and shaping the future of animal welfare in Southwest Washington. HSSW has been honored as Best Non-Profit for two years running—a recognition of our impact and leadership in the community.

Foster Care Specialist

Classification: FLSA Non-Exempt

Reports To: Director of Clinical Operations

Supervises: No direct reports

Works Closely With: Foster Coordinator, other Foster Care Specialists, Shelter Medicine, Animal Care, Customer Experience, and foster volunteers

Position Summary

The Foster Care Specialist arranges the placement and day-to-day care of animals in foster homes, ensuring their health, behavior, and well-being. The Specialist works in close collaboration with the Foster Coordinator, who handles higher-level program coordination, and takes on the administrative and logistical work that keeps the program running: placements, scheduling, records, supplies, and volunteer communication. This role supports foster volunteers, coordinates medical and behavioral care, and facilitates the smooth transition of animals between the shelter, foster homes, and adoption.

Essential Duties and Primary Responsibilities

Animal Placement and Care Coordination

• •Match animals with suitable foster homes and coordinate departures, returns, veterinary appointments, volunteer transportation, and supply deliveries.
• •Help implement individualized care plans and ensure fostered animals receive appropriate supplies, medical care, socialization, and rehabilitation in preparation for adoption.
• •Provide occasional hands-on foster support, including routine vaccinations and basic care as trained and authorized under veterinary direction, and hand off animals to foster volunteers with care instructions and supplies.
• •Respond promptly and compassionately to foster animal or volunteer emergencies, following program guidelines and escalating complex situations to the Foster Coordinator.

Foster Volunteer Engagement and Communication

• •Support and coach foster volunteers through responsive communication, appointments, training, community events, and feedback.
• •Communicate clearly and compassionately about fostering expectations and sensitive outcomes, including when humane euthanasia may be appropriate.
• •Carry out Safe Haven scheduling, placements, and pet owner updates under the Foster Coordinator’s oversight; contribute to program communications, including newsletters, social media, and placement appeals.

Program Administration and Team Collaboration

• •Maintain timely, accurate foster and animal records, including communications, postings, and medical and behavioral information in shelter databases, so the Foster Coordinator can audit and report on program data.
• •Collaborate with the Foster Coordinator and team, sharing volunteer feedback and day-to-day observations that inform program policy, training, and SOP updates.
• •Prepare for and participate in population rounds, sharing animal and capacity updates.
• •Follow established training, protocols, and SOPs; identify needed updates and track program supply inventory.
• •Provide general organizational support through meetings, trainings, outreach events, facility opening and closing, and occasional animal transport using company vehicles.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• •Minimum of one year of experience in customer service, conflict resolution, scheduling, or coordinating, with strong people skills, emotional intelligence, and effective communication and computer skills.
• •Knowledge of animal health and welfare, including identifying breeds, health indicators, and behavioral issues; experience with canine and feline behavior preferred.
• •Familiarity with neonate care and rewards-based training is a plus.
• •Must hold a Washington or Oregon driver’s license with an insurable driving record.
• •Euthanasia Technician Certification: certification must be obtained within 6 months of employment, training provided. Additional compensation is provided once certification is obtained and the employee is scheduled for humane euthanasia services.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• •Comfortable speaking with individuals and groups.
• •Perform various physical tasks, including walking, standing, sitting, stooping, squatting, bending, typing, and using arms, hands, and fingers for grasping, lifting, and operating equipment.
• •Repetitive hand use may be required for computer, telephone, and cell phone operation, including extended periods of keyboard use.
• •Must be able to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds with assistance; reasonable accommodation will be provided for individuals with disabilities.
• •Requires flexibility to work occasional weekends, evenings, and on-call shifts.

Work is performed in an animal shelter that operates seven days per week, with exposure to environmental conditions that include working with and/or near animals. There is potential exposure to fractious animals, high-noise levels, zoonotic diseases, animal bites and scratches, cleaning chemicals, allergens, and potential exposure of infectious diseases to self and personally owned animals.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related duties required by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship. HSSW participates in E-Verify.

Compensation, Benefits and Perks

Pay range is $18.36-$20.85 per hour, depending on qualifications and experience.

In addition to serving in an organization with a compassionate and strategic purpose, eligible employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package and a variety of employee perks.

Benefits include:

• •Health insurance effective the first of the month following hire (full-time employees).
• •Dental and vision insurance effective the first of the month following hire.
• •Matching percentage 401(k) retirement plan beginning the first month after hire, with a 3-year graded vesting schedule and ROTH contribution option.
• •Employee Assistance Program (EAP) available to all employees and household members.
• •Section 125 FSA Cafeteria Plan for out-of-pocket health and/or dependent day care expenses.
• •Access to affordable life, disability, and accidental supplemental insurance.
• •Numerous employee discounts and discounts with partner organizations.
• •Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualified employer. To learn more about this Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, go to https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-can