Specialist, Foster and Adoption Outcomes

Location: 2005 S 1100 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84106

Hiring Range: This position's hiring range is anticipated to be $19.00 - $22.00 hourly, depending on experience, plus great benefits!

Interviews will occur weekly until the position is filled. '

Position Summary: The Foster & Adoption Outcomes Specialist is a hybrid role responsible for connecting animals with loving homes through both foster placement and adoption pathways. This position supports the full animal outcome continuum by coordinating foster placements, recruiting and supporting foster volunteers, and facilitating on-site and off-site adoptions through exceptional customer service and relationship building.

This role acts with urgency, flexibility, and compassion to reduce length of stay, increase lifesaving capacity, and improve outcomes for animals with medical or behavioral needs. Specialists model Best Friends Animal Society's culture of kindness, inclusion, and warm hospitality at every point of contact and play a direct role in achieving the organization's no-kill mission. While this role focuses primarily on foster and adoption outcomes, assignments may include other 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. By consistently aligning our actions with our Guiding Principles, we strengthen our culture and ensure that our values are lived every day.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Foster Program Coordination & Volunteer Engagement

• Coordinate day-to-day foster program activities with a focus on decreasing length of stay and increasing onsite capacity, including identifying foster placement needs and matching animals with appropriate foster homes.

• Recruit, onboard, engage, and retain foster volunteers through relationship-based outreach, exemplary customer service, and ongoing support aligned with Best Friends' mission.

• Provide medical and behavioral guidance to foster caregivers, including follow-up support, troubleshooting concerns, and coordinating care in collaboration with veterinary and behavior teams.

• Build and maintain relationships with community partners, organizations, and stakeholders to expand foster capacity and lifesaving opportunities.

• Monitor foster program needs, respond to urgent foster-related issues, and support timely, outcome-focused decision-making.

Adoption & Outcomes Facilitation

• Promote, coordinate, and facilitate animal placements through adoptions and foster-to-adopt pathways by matching animals with adopters using a conversational, non-judgmental approach.

• Counsel adopters and fosters on animal history, behavior, and medical needs to set both the animal and family up for long-term success.

• Create a welcoming, inclusive, and engaging environment for all visitors and guests, using each interaction as an opportunity to build lasting connections to Best Friends' mission.

• Support adoption events, off-site adoption opportunities, and pet retention efforts to expand lifesaving capacity.

• Develop working knowledge of animals in care, including those in foster, and assist with pet introductions, pet-to-pet meets, documentation, and follow-up communications.

Cross-Functional & Operational Support

• Work directly with and support volunteers across foster and adoption programs, providing guidance on protocols, animal handling, care procedures, data entry, and communications.

• Assist with daily animal care tasks as needed, including feeding, cleaning, walking, medicating, and transporting animals in accordance with safety and welfare standards.

• Participate in population management efforts and collaborate with internal teams to support long-stay animals through foster placement, marketing, enrichment, and adoption planning.

• Assist or lead creation of engaging written, photo, and video content for social media and marketing efforts in collaboration with internal teams; represent Best Friends in media engagements when requested.

• Follow all policies, procedures, and safety practices; maintain accurate records, timely communication, and high-quality data entry to support organizational goals.

Skills and Experience:

• High School Diploma or GED, or 1-2 years of experience in customer service, volunteer coordination, animal-related programs, or similar fields.

• Experience working or volunteering in an animal shelter or foster-based program preferred but not required.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Customer-centric, non-judgmental approach with comfort using a conversational adoption and foster support model.

• Ability to safely handle, leash, kennel, walk, and care for dogs and cats of all sizes, temperaments, and medical or behavioral needs.

• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and handle sensitive or confidential situations with professionalism.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while managing multiple competing priorities.

• Resourceful, flexible, and solutions-oriented with a "get-it-done" mindset.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; familiarity with shelter or animal management software, or willingness to learn.

• Bilingual or multilingual skills preferred but not required.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to routinely lift up to 40 pounds and perform daily physical tasks including lifting, carrying, bending, squatting, reaching, and cleaning.

• Ability to perform repetitive tasks for extended periods, including walking, standing, typing, and animal handling.

• Work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold.

• Regular exposure to dogs, cats, and other animals of all sizes, temperaments, and medical statuses.

• Valid driver's license meeting Best Friends Animal Society's driver qualification standards; ability to travel, including overnight stays, as needed.

• Schedule may include weekends, evenings, holidays, and variable hours based on program needs.