Job Details

Description

Volunteers are an integral part of the San Francisco SPCA Community and expand the organization's capacity to reach its' Vision 2030. Volunteer Engagement Specialists use best practices in volunteer management to facilitate meaningful, engaging, and safe experiences for volunteers from their orientation date through their entire journey at the San Francisco SPCA.

The Volunteer Engagement team supports volunteers across the organization (Shelter, Shelter Medicine, Foster, Animal Assisted Interactions, Community Cats, Community Medicine, hospitality, and special events) and strives to be a welcoming, accessible, and inclusive place to all who volunteer their time for the animals and the people who love them. Volunteer Engagement Specialists share a common baseline of competencies, knowledge, skills, and abilities but have a specialization in their program.

The Volunteer Engagement Specialist for Foster is responsible for the recruitment, training, support, scheduling, communication, and management of SF SPCA foster Volunteers. The position reports to the Manager of Volunteer Engagement for Foster and Shelter Medicine, is a member of the Volunteer Engagement team, and works closely with Shelter Medicine and other departments to ensure seamless care for our foster animals and volunteers.

Core Responsibilities

Volunteers are the backbone of the Foster Program and expand the life-saving capacity of the SF SPCA. With the support of the Foster team, Foster volunteers are able to provide safe and enriching homes for the most vulnerable members of the SF SPCA shelter population. The Foster Program primarily serves underage kittens, puppies, animals with chronic disease, and dogs in need of respite from the shelter. The VES for Foster partners with the larger Volunteer Engagement team and may be asked to provide supplemental support to other programs under the Volunteer Engagement umbrella.Functions of the Foster Volunteer Specialist include, but are not limited to:

Administration

• Managing an optimal number of Foster Volunteers through recruiting and retention strategies
• Analyzing and interpreting volunteer and foster animal data for program efficiency and growth. Creating timely data reports.
• Managing animal and volunteer records in Salesforce and Petpoint
• Designing and implementing volunteer appreciation events and activities
• Participating in regular cross-departmental staff & leadership meetings as needed
• Facilitating foster stays for available animals for Virtual Adoptions program
• Collaborating with Shelter Medicine, Adoptions, Intake, Behavior Resources, and Marketing teams to assist with organization wide volunteer initiatives, one-time volunteer opportunities, and events.
• Resolving conflict with and between volunteers
• Recommending volunteers and foster stories for special recognition and media coverage

Veterinary Medical Care

• Performing nursing tasks deemed appropriate for the foster program, including giving vaccines and oral treatments, as well as triaging and recognizing medical symptoms with foster animals
• Partnering with shelter medicine staff to ensure that all medical and safety protocols are followed
• Communicating medical needs to volunteers and doctors effectively
• Filling medical prescriptions
• Comply with all laws pertaining to controlled substances

Training and Development

• Designing foster volunteer curriculum
• Training and coaching Foster Volunteers to accurately perform the activities that are part of the Foster Program by teaching classes or working one on one as needed.
• Deliver specialized training to volunteers when taking animals with medical or behavioral needs
• Designing and creating volunteer training videos
• Scheduling classes and activities for maximum coverage, effective onboarding of new volunteers, and on-going volunteer development and engagement
• Evaluating volunteer work assignments to ensure they are meaningful, safe and supportive of the Foster Program and Volunteer Engagements' mission and goals

Communication

• Create and distribute group communication with volunteers including emails and newsletters
• Develop, enhance, and edit volunteer collateral materials including class curriculums, training materials, guidelines, policies, and medical and behavior protocols

Requirements

• Bachelors Degree, qualifying work experience may be considered as an alternative
• Preferred one year experience in coordinating or developing programs
• Minimum one year experience working directly with animals
• Previous experience as a volunteer and/or supervising volunteers preferred
• Veterinary medical knowledge preferred
• Available to work weekends regularly, and evenings and holidays as needed
• Outstanding leadership and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, train and motivate people
• Comfortable working in a veterinary environment
• Commitment to the mission, values, goals, and success of the San Francisco SPCA
• Skilled at creating and delivering innovative and engaging training
• Ability to comfortably speak before groups of people
• Ability to communicate skillfully with diverse communities of staff, volunteers, and donors
• Solid computer skills and database experience
• Ability to work in a fast-paced work environment, embrace change, problem solve and multi-task
• Ability to calmly and efficiently handle situations ranging from routine to emergency
• Working knowledge of low stress handling and restraint techniques preferred
• Working knowledge of dog and cat behavior preferred
• Understanding of animal welfare issues preferred

Salary & Benefits

The starting salary for this position depends on the depth and breadth of experience. The expected range is $63,000 - $71,000.

Regular, full-time positions are eligible for a benefits package including

• Paid Time Off and Holiday pay
• Medical, Dental & Vision insurance
• Life Insurance
• Long-term Disability Insurance
• 401k Retirement Plan and contribution matching
• Student debt relief program
• Pre-tax Commuter Benefits
• Discounts on retail and pet supplies
• Discounts on veterinary care at our SF SPCA Veterinary Hospital and Clinic

The SF SPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This job description reflects the assignment of essential functions and does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. The San Francisco SPCA is an at-will employer and may conduct pre-employment background checks and drug screening depending on the role.