Senior Manager, Volunteers and Foster

Summary:

Are you passionate about helping animals in need and eager to advance the field of animal welfare? Do you thrive in a dynamic, complex, highly collaborative environment? If so, the role of Senior Manager, Volunteers & Foster at the ASPCA's new Recovery & Rehabilitation Center (R&R Center) in Pawling, NY might be right for you!

The individual in this role is responsible for developing and overseeing the R&R Center's volunteer and foster programs. The Manager, Volunteers and Foster recruits, trains, and continually engages those who donate their time and talent in service of the ASPCA's mission.

The successful candidate is an eager community ambassador and has a genuine appreciation for those who choose to help the R&R Center accomplish its goals. The person in this role must be an open and ample communicator who thrives on collaboration and is an adept coach for a people from a variety of backgrounds.

Recovery & Rehabilitation Center Overview & Upcoming Launch

The R&R Center in Pawling, NY, is a unique program dedicated to providing integrated sheltering, behavioral, and medical care for canine victims of cruelty. The R&R Center team works closely with ASPCA teams in New York City to help animals rescued in partnership with the NYPD.

This position has a target start date of 1/13/2025and is remote until the facility is ready for occupancy in May of 2025, after which it will be an in-person position based in Pawling, NY. This position requires the incumbent to live within a commuting distance to Pawling, NY by May 1, 2025.

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Volunteer People and Program Management (35%)

• Develop, implement, and maintain the R&R Center's Volunteer Program

• Recruit, train, and engage a talented pool of volunteers from the local community and beyond

• Serve as the primary point of contact for volunteers

• Arrange and assign volunteer tasks to ensure a meaningful and enjoyable experience that lessens the load for R&R Center staff or increases the R&R Center's capacity

• Schedule volunteer shifts to meet the needs of the R&R Center, adapting quickly as the volunteer pool's availability and the Center's needs change

• Encourage a sense of belonging and inclusion by working side by side with volunteers on their tasks and by regularly alternating work areas to be present in a variety of their daily tasks

• Build trust and open communication between volunteers and staff, directly and immediately addressing conflict as it arises, and ensuring the R&R Center is a welcoming experience for volunteers while also maintaining a high standard of performance and behavior

• Provide plentiful training and varied engagement opportunities for volunteers

• Actively listen to volunteer suggestions and concerns, responding quickly and meaningfully, and bringing suggestions to relevant teams when appropriate

• Monitor and evaluate volunteer performance, providing kind and clear feedback when appropriate

• Provide regular training for R&R Center staff to keep them informed of volunteer policies and procedures and to provide guidance for building strong staff-volunteer relationships

• Coordinate with the ASPCA's Volunteer & Foster Engagement team as appropriate to share and receive updates, resources, and best practices to support volunteers across the ASCPA

• Develop, implement, and maintain the R&R Center's Foster Program

• Recruit, train, and engage an active pool of fosters willing to bring dogs, many with medical and/or behavioral needs, into their homes temporarily

• Collaborate with colleagues across all areas of the R&R Center to match animals with appropriate foster homes, based on the foster's capacity and the animals needs

• Serve as primary point of contact for foster homes, providing ongoing support

• Gather and provide all needed foster supplies so that fosters and the dogs they bring home are set up for success from the outset

• Ensure fosters understand and adhere to direction provided by medical and/or behavioral staff

• Solicit regular feedback on the medical and behavioral progress of animals in foster, providing guidance or connecting fosters to area expert staff to address any challenges

• Monitor dogs' medical needs ensuring all appropriate vaccinations and preventatives are up-to-date, and coordinating with the veterinary team as needed

• Facilitate communication between fosters and appropriate staff members to maintain a steady flow of animals into foster homes, and excellent and timely communication around medical and/or behavioral issues

• Build trust and open communication between fosters and staff, directly and immediately addressing conflict as it arises, and ensuring the foster experience is positive and meaningful while also maintaining high expectations for adherence to protocols

• Coordinate with fosters to collect photos, videos, and additional information for treatment and placement purposes

• Provide volunteers and fosters with plentiful opportunities to be mentored, coached, and to train in new skills or interest areas

• Work with R&R Center leadership to create, review, and update standard operating procedures and operational documents to align with all regulatory requirements

• Ensure volunteers and fosters understand and adhere to standard operating procedures, protocols, and regulatory requirements, and maintain accurate records of compliance activities

• Manage volunteer and foster database, as well as volunteer and foster materials to ensure they are current and available

• Gather quantitative and qualitative data to assess the performance of the volunteer and foster programs, and to recommend changes as needed

• Prepare and present monthly reports on the performance and achievements of the volunteer and foster program to R&R Center and Rehabilitation Services leadership

• Provide ongoing recognition and plan appreciation events for volunteers and fosters

• Develop, implement, and maintain a variety of communication avenues to meet the needs of R&R Center volunteers and fosters, keeping them informed and engaged, and with full transparency around euthanasia decisions

• Attend and meaningfully contribute to all relevant R&R Center and ASPCA meetings

• Accurately track and report time worked, time off, and work-related expenses

• Responsibly steward R&R Center assets

• Has Commitment and dedication to improving the lives of animals

• Demonstrates Ownership and feels responsible for outcomes

• Believes in Team - that we are stronger together

• Seeks to Elevate .