Specialist, Foster Programs

Location: 1312 Melissa Drive, Bentonville, AR 72712

Hiring range: $19.50–$20.25 per hour depending on experience, plus benefits.

About the role

Foster Program Specialists are responsible for the daily functions and growth of the foster program, including recruitment and retention of foster volunteers and animal placement and population management for animals in the program. Specialists act with urgency to accomplish important tasks and play a direct role in achieving Best Friends Animal Society’s no-kill mission and organizational success. While this role includes responsibilities primarily in foster program duties, coordinators may receive assignments in any outcome-focused programs based on organizational needs.

Culture Statement and Responsibility

We believe in treating everyone with kindness and compassion, building trust through authenticity, and following through on commitments. We prioritize well-being alongside our mission, fostering strong relationships through open communication and transparent feedback. Diversity and inclusion are integral to our culture, enriching team dynamics by valuing diverse perspectives. Each team member is responsible for creating an inclusive environment where all voices are respected and contributing to a workplace that embodies our shared values and commitment to progress.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate kindness and the Golden Rule in everyday actions by practicing inclusion and respect for every person.
• Be a role model for authenticity, kindness, and positive influence with colleagues, visitors, volunteers, and animals.
• Promote, coordinate, and facilitate foster program animal placements by matching foster parent volunteers with animals in need, providing superior customer service, foster pet counseling, and ongoing medical and behavior support.
• Develop a general knowledge of the animals in Best Friends’ care; deliver superior customer service to adopters, fosters, and transfer partners by gathering information to match them with appropriate animals, arranging introductions, pet-to-pet meets, and providing medical records, health certificates, and follow-ups as needed.
• Support foster volunteer recruitment, engagement, and retention to help expand lifesaving capacity; introduce, recruit, and engage with local organizations, individuals, and stakeholders to develop and maintain mutually beneficial relationships.
• Facilitate animal outcome opportunities for animals in foster, including adoptions, events, and transport. Coordinate logistics related to outcome opportunities, such as animal selection, consultations, transport details, records management, and scheduling.
• Assist or oversee the creation of engaging content for social media platforms, including written, video, and photo content.
• Work collaboratively with other departments and marketing teams to identify engagement opportunities with social media and PR to support lifesaving outcomes and programmatic needs at the center.
• Represent Best Friends in media relations when requested and maintain Best Friends’ voice across all communications.
• Assist other teams in providing basic care such as feeding, cleaning, walking, and medicating animals housed or transported within Best Friends’ vehicles, buildings, or facilities; follow all policies and local standard operating procedures to ensure health and safety standards are upheld.
• Work collaboratively with and assist Best Friends’ team members in all areas of operations to develop, evolve, and implement efficient processes to achieve lifesaving goals; follow policies, procedures, and task lists, including accurate and timely communications, work completion, data entry, and recordkeeping.
• Maintain a safe workplace, model safe work practices, adhere to organizational safety practices and rules, and communicate about unsafe practices and conditions.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED, or 1–2 years’ experience in customer service, volunteer coordination, animal-related programs, or similar.
• Experience leading teams and implementing programs preferred but not required.
• Strong communication skills; bilingual or multilingual skills preferred but not required.
• Customer-centric, non-judgmental approach to engaging with adopters, partners, visitors, volunteers, and colleagues; familiarity and comfort with a conversational adoption process.
• Ability to work with, leash, kennel, walk, and handle cats and dogs, including those with health and/or behavior conditions; basic ability to identify and speak to medical and behavioral characteristics of dogs and cats.
• Strong interpersonal skills, team-oriented, personable, professional, and able to handle sensitive and confidential situations.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with well-developed organizational skills to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.
• Resourceful, proactive attitude; initiative to assist in any area or process; problem-solving skills and flexibility to persist until goals are achieved.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products; familiarity with shelter software/animal management software or desire to learn.

Physical & Other Requirements

• Routinely lift 40 pounds and perform daily strenuous activity including lifting, carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, cleaning, and bending.
• Perform repetitive tasks for extended periods, including typing, sitting, walking, arm, and hand motion.
• Work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold.
• Exposure to dogs, cats, and other animals of all sizes, temperaments, and medical status.
• Valid driver’s license meeting Best Friends Animal Society’s driver qualification standards; ability to travel, including overnight stays, when needed.
• Daily hours and days of the week may vary according to department needs; position includes weekends, nights, and holiday work.

Pay

$19.50–$20.25 per hour, plus benefits.