Regional Foster Coordinator

We welcome diversity, value differences, and foster inclusion in our employment practices. Find out more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion by reading our Foundational Principles on our website. We invite applications from all qualified individuals who are philosophically aligned with our mission, vision and values.

The BC SPCA is a dynamic organization with facilities and services across the province of BC. Join an expanding team in an exciting time of change in an organization that makes a difference! Please read below for additional details and let us know if you have the skills and experience we are looking for by submitting your application.

If you are up for the challenge and would like to be considered for this position, we would like to hear from you. The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) is looking to fill the following career opportunity:

POSITION:                 Regional Foster Coordinator

STATUS:                    Permanent; Full-Time with benefits

SHIFT:                        35 hours per week

LOCATION:                Remote based in Cariboo North region, BC

CLASSIFICATION:    Exempt

WAGE:                       Salaried 

CLOSING DATE:       Open until Filled

About the Role:

Reporting to the Manager, Foster Program, the Regional Foster Coordinator will be responsible for supporting engagement, development, recognition, and retention of foster volunteers. This position will execute provincial Foster Program goals regionally, tailoring as necessary to support the needs of the assigned region. This work will include coaching and supporting local teams and their foster leads to ensure successful and consistent Foster Program operations and offering training and engagement opportunities for fosters.

Working closely with the Volunteer Resources and Direct Care teams, the Regional Foster Coordinator will be part of a team that ensures that foster volunteers, fostered animals, and the Foster Program are thriving.

Key Responsibilities:

Foster Coordination and Support (65%):

• Liaise with Community Animal Centre (CAC) staff in assigned region, Volunteer Resources, the Animal Flow team and foster volunteers to ensure successful Foster Program operations, gather feedback and work to resolve any barriers to success.
• Develop tools, templates, and resources to improve the foster experience within the region that may also be used provincially, as required.
• Provide ongoing professional development and skill building opportunities for fosters.
• Work with Volunteer Resources, CAC staff and volunteers to orchestrate ongoing meaningful foster volunteer recognition initiatives, with heightened recognition through National Volunteer Week.
• Recommend opportunities for existing foster volunteers to advance into more specialized foster roles as appropriate (such as bottle-feeding neonate animals or working with complex behaviour) and, where approved by Manager, Foster Program provide support, coaching and training, as needed.
• Implement and track foster volunteer peer-to-peer programming such as mentorship or buddy opportunities.
• Collaborate with Volunteer Resources to develop targeted recruitment strategies for critical foster needs (regional and/or provincial)
  • Assist with sourcing foster volunteers to support specialized placements, such as large-scale animal intakes (LSAIs) and emergency animal boarding (EAB)
• Research, recommend, and implement foster retention strategies.
• Collaborate with the Media & Internal Communications Team to promote foster volunteer opportunities and highlight contributions.
• Provide guidance and support to staff working with foster volunteers in alignment with BC SPCA volunteer strategies, philosophies, and protocols.
  • Advance more complex performance management or engagement issues to the Manager, Foster Program
• Collaborates with and provides Foster Program support to other regions as required.

Foster Program Data Management and Analysis (20%):

• Maintain an accurate, current list of available fosters in their portfolio in Better Impact.
• Pull, analyze and report on identified foster volunteer metrics to support the Manager, Foster Program with impact and gap analysis and strategic program planning.
• Assist foster volunteers and staff with logging important data such as foster hours and placement details in databases such as Better Impact and ShelterBuddy.
• Produce impact and statistical reports on the Foster Program and contributions of fosters within assigned region.

Foster Needs Assessment and Planning (10%):

• Conduct regular regional program evaluation, as established by the Manager, Foster Program.
  • Provide recommendations based on findings and, where approved, assist in developing and delivering initiatives such as creating training, mentoring, and/or recognition opportunities.
• Recommend training applicable to foster volunteers and assist with the development/delivery of such programs.
  • Collaborate with the Training & Development Specialist to ensure such training is in keeping with other BC SPCA training and adult learning principles.
• Collaborate with Volunteer Resources to support foster recruitment needs and positive onboarding experiences (i.e. trialing foster mentors and support groups).

Performs Other Duties as Assigned (5%):

• Participate in, and contribute to, committees, working groups (e.g. Emergency Boarding Working Group) and other cross-functional teams as necessary.
• Contributes to a culture of health, safety and wellness and models appropriate work-life balance. 

Knowledge and skill requirements

• Post-secondary education in a related field such as Social Sciences, with a minimum of 3 years’ related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptable to the employer.  Related experience includes, but is not limited to:
  • Volunteer coordination and engagement;
  • Tracking and reporting on program metrics and recommending alternatives for improvement;
  • Coaching, mentoring, training, and empowering volunteers;
  • Working in the animal welfare sector, with focus on building programs/ systems/infrastructure beyond animal sheltering.
• Completion of CVA Certification in Volunteer Management is an asset.
• Tech savvy with experience championing effective use of technology to elevate an organization’s efficiency.
  • Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite, with the ability to adapt to new technologies;
  • Experience with Better Impact and/or ShelterBuddy is considered a strong asset.
• Strong ability to impact and influence, with demonstrated capabilities to proactively address and work through situations involving conflict.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully collaborate with multiple different teams and ability to align program and operational priorities with strategic objectives.
• Proven ability to work independently in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with competing deadlines and multiple priorities.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work with internal and external parties at all levels and from diverse backgrounds in a positive and respectful manner.
• Excellent organizational skills with remarkable attention to detail.
• Ability to travel throughout the region as needed.
• Working knowledge of the concepts of diversity, equity, inclusion, and reconciliation.
• Philosophical harmony with the BC SPCA’s vision, mission, values, and strategic directions.

How to apply:

If you are interested in joining our team and are legally entitled to work in Canada, we would like to hear from you. Click on apply now or use the link to apply https://spca.bc.ca/about-us/careers/

We are committed to a transparent, human-led hiring process. While we use technology to support application management, applications are not screened, scored, or ranked by AI systems. All hiring decisions are made by human hiring managers based on skills, experience, and alignment with the organizational values.

We thank you for your interest in the BC SPCA, however; only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone calls, please. 

The BC SPCA is a Registered Charity BN 11881 9036 RR0001