Foster Coordinator

Date Opened: Thursday, July 09, 2026 12:00 AM

Close Date: Thursday, July 23, 2026 12:00 AM

Department: General Services Department

Salary: $25.00 - $27.6 Commensurate with Experience

Welcome to the City of Charlotte

Charlotte is America’s Queen City, opening her arms to a diverse and inclusive community of residents, businesses and visitors alike. Here you will find a safe, family-oriented city where people work together to help everyone thrive. The mission of the City of Charlotte is to deliver quality public services and promote the safety, health, and quality of life for all residents.

Our guiding principles include:

• Attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce

• Valuing teamwork, openness, accountability, productivity, and employee development

• Providing all customers with courteous, responsive, accessible, and seamless quality services

• Taking initiative to identify, analyze, and solve problems

• Collaborating with stakeholders to make informed decisions

SUMMARY

The Foster Coordinator manages the shelter’s foster care program, ensuring animals are placed in safe, supportive foster homes and that foster caregivers receive the training, resources, and guidance they need. This role requires strong communication, excellent organization, and the ability to support a high volume, fast moving program in a large shelter environment.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategies to attract new foster caregivers through outreach, events, social media, and community partnerships.

• Match animals to appropriate foster homes based on behavior, medical needs, and caregiver experience.

• Provide orientations, training materials, and ongoing support to foster families, including guidance on animal care, behavior, and medical protocols.

• Maintain consistent communication with foster caregivers, ensuring they feel supported and informed.

• Coordinate veterinary appointments, medication pickups, and behavior consultations for foster animals.

• Maintain accurate records of foster animals, caregiver information, medical updates, and program metrics.

• Work closely with intake, medical, behavior, and adoption teams to ensure smooth transitions for animals entering and exiting foster care.

• Assists with event and program development.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to clearly explain care instructions, policies, and expectations to foster caregivers.

• Capable of managing a large caseload of animals and caregivers simultaneously.

• Calm, resourceful approach to unexpected medical or behavioral issues.

• Understanding of safe handling, behavior cues, and basic medical needs (training provided if needed).

• Comfortable using shelter software, scheduling tools, and communication platforms.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in animal welfare, veterinary care, or foster program management.

• Familiarity with common behavioral challenges in shelter animals.

• Ability to explain basic medical care and follow veterinary instructions.

• Experience organizing community events or volunteer activities.

Minimum Qualifications

High School Diploma or GED with three (3) years of relevant work experience in an animal or customer service related field.

Working Conditions

The role requires frequent movement throughout the shelter, resulting in regular exposure to animal‑related conditions. This includes animal smells, loud noise levels such as barking dogs, and direct contact with animals of varying sizes and temperaments. Duties may also involve stepping outdoors for volunteer activities, events, or animal transfers, leading to exposure to inclement weather such as heat, cold, rain, or humidity.

The position includes frequent use of computers, phones, and digital scheduling systems, as well as handling paper files and documentation. The environment can be fast‑paced, with interruptions and shifting priorities common in shelter operations.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.

Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or on the basis of actual or perceived gender as expressed through dress, appearance, or behavior.

Our culture is to serve the community honorably.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.

You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby, where self-service application kiosks are available. They are located in our office at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. We are open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.

For questions about your application or the hiring process, please email Sign in to view email.

The City of Charlotte is committed to making our services and programs accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modifications will be provided. To make a request, please fill out the Innovation & Technology ADA request form or call 704.336.4120.

BENEFITS

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees.

The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.