Volunteer Engagement Specialist, Foster Operations at SAN FRANCISCO SPCA – San Francisco, California

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 – Foster Operations & Initiatives leads recruitment, training, support, and coordination of Foster Volunteers, while also spearheading strategic initiatives that promote innovation, accountability, and efficiency. This includes oversight of the Virtual Adoptions volunteer workflow and driving measurable progress toward quarterly and annual organizational goals aligned with Vision 2030.

Reporting to the Manager of Volunteer Engagement for Foster and Shelter Medicine, this position plays a key role in ensuring seamless care for foster animals and volunteers while advancing broader departmental initiatives. This role extends beyond day-to-day volunteer coordination to include leadership of strategic projects, enhanced accountability, and ownership of volunteer data.

Core Responsibilities

Foster Volunteers are a critical part of our life-saving capacity, providing safe and enriching homes to underage kittens and puppies, animals with chronic disease, dogs in need of shelter respite, and animals available for virtual adoption. With guidance from the Foster and Volunteer Engagement teams, this role supports and strengthens volunteer performance across the program. The Specialist is also expected to contribute cross-functionally to other Volunteer Engagement initiatives as needed. Functions of the Foster Volunteer Specialist include, but are not limited to:

Administration

• Actively grow the foster volunteer base through targeted recruitment campaigns, community partnerships, and collaboration with Marketing to promote opportunities and develop compelling outreach materials.
• Leverage Better Impact, Salesforce, PetPoint, and emerging technologies (including AI) to streamline workflows, maintain accurate records, and enhance volunteer engagement.
• Ensure accurate service hour logging and hold volunteers accountable for follow-through on required tasks such as weigh-ins, documentation, and communication.
• Take detailed, professional notes on volunteer performance, preferences, and training history in Better Impact to inform ongoing support and development strategies.
• Develop and report on monthly performance metrics tied to strategic initiatives.
• Participate in regular cross-departmental staff and leadership meetings.
• Facilitate foster stays for animals in the Virtual Adoptions program and serve as liaison for related volunteer workflows.
• Partner with the Shelter Cat Department to coordinate Foster Drop-off assistance, ensuring timely daily communication and support.
• Coordinate foster animal pickups/drop-offs through management of volunteer schedules in Better Impact’s calendar system, ensuring efficient alignment of people, animals, and transportation needs.
• Maintain oversight of the Foster supply inventory; assemble supply bags for volunteers, monitor stock levels, and ensure the supply area is organized, clean, and well-stocked.
• Collaborate with Shelter Medicine, Adoptions, Intake, Behavior Resources, and Marketing teams to support organization-wide volunteer initiatives, special events, and one-time volunteer opportunities—such as CA Adopt-a-Pet-Day and Clear the Shelters.
• Design, coordinate, and implement volunteer appreciation measures, including in-person and virtual events, to build community and recognize volunteer contributions.
• Organize and support virtual volunteer gatherings to foster connection, learning, and engagement.
• Recommend volunteers and foster stories for recognition and media features.
• Resolve conflict with and between volunteers professionally and effectively.

Veterinary Medical Care

• Perform nursing tasks appropriate for the foster program, including administering vaccines and oral treatments, and triaging medical concerns.
• 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

• Design and deliver Foster Volunteer training through a blend of in-person classes, one-on-one coaching, and on-demand e-learning modules hosted in Better Impact.
• Develop interactive quizzes and digital content in Better Impact to reinforce learning, promote consistency, and reduce reliance on staff for routine questions.
• Provide specialized instruction for fosters caring for animals with medical or behavioral needs.
• Reinforce accountability by training volunteers on expectations such as timely weigh-ins, submitting updates, and consulting resources before contacting staff.
• Promote independent decision-making by equipping volunteers with the tools, clarity, and confidence to act with minimal staff intervention.
• Lead a culture shift that balances compassion with accountability by setting clear boundaries, modeling professionalism, and coaching volunteers toward greater autonomy.
• Schedule and facilitate training and development activities that ensure effective onboarding, appropriate shift coverage, and continued learning.
• Regularly evaluate volunteer roles and assignments to ensure they are meaningful, safe, and aligned with the mission and program goals.
• Stay current on best practices in volunteer engagement, animal welfare, and emerging technologies by participating in professional development opportunities and applying new learnings to improve program outcomes.

Communication

• Create and distribute group communications, including a monthly Foster Volunteer newsletter with updates, reminders, training opportunities, and program highlights.
• Develop and maintain volunteer-facing materials including curricula, training guides, protocols, and policy documents.
• Establish regular touchpoints to reinforce expectations, celebrate milestones, and spotlight outstanding volunteers.
• Communicate with transparency, empathy, and consistency to build volunteer confidence, clarity, and connection across the program.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

• Work is performed throughout the SF SPCA campus with regular exposure to animal kennels, shelter, and veterinary settings
• Regularly bends, reaches, kneels, sits on floor, crouches
• Regularly sits at computer stations and operates electronic equipment
• Requires ability to speak clearly and loudly to groups inside, outside, in small and large spaces
• Occasionally lifting and carrying of animals weighing up to 50 pounds
• Exposure to disinfectant solutions when in kennel areas
• Subject to animal bites and scratches while handling animals of questionable temperament
• Regularly works in personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Exposed to infectious and zoonotic pathogens

Requirements:

• Bachelor's 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
• Experience managing or leading projects or cross-functional initiatives preferred
• Available to work weekends regularly, and evenings and holidays as needed
• Workweeks for Specialists follow a five-day, 40-hour schedule and may include Sunday–Thursday, Tuesday–Saturday, or Wednesday-Sunday

Salary & Benefits:

The starting salary for this position depends on the depth and breadth of experience. The expected range is $68,000 - $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.