animal foster coordinator

The Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine is a nationally recognized and award-winning organization with 1,100 full-time/part-time staff and a budget of $85 million. The Department oversees facilities and programs that reflect the needs and interests of a culturally diverse community, including approximately 170 parks with more than 3,200 acres devoted to open space and recreation, 27 community centers, 3 public pools, 6 miles of beaches, and 3 marinas.

In 2019, the City of Long Beach implemented the Compassion Saves model of shelter operations which ensures that all healthy and treatable animals are saved. The mission of the Long Beach Animal Care Services Bureau is to ensure "Compassion Saves" by supporting the people and animals of our community through outreach, education, guidance, and support services. We protect shelter animals by creating an environment of care through enrichment and innovative programs, and by providing public safety and the humane treatment of animals to nearly 600,000 residents in five cities. With a staff of over 50 employees, and an annual operating budget of over $7 million, the Bureau will care for more than 6,000 live animals in 2025.

The Animal Care Services Bureau, is seeking qualified candidates interested in applying for a full-time Animal Foster Coordinator (Public Health Associate II) position. This position will also assist with other areas of Animal Care programming as needed, such as Adoptions. There is currently one (1) full-time opening. This position will work 40 hours per week, Wednesday through Sunday (Monday and Tuesdays off). Day shifts are typically assigned, but occasional evenings are required.

• Reviews adoption applications, interview potential adopters, and provides information on animals' behavior, medical records, and suitability for adoption;
• Advises the public on responsible pet ownership and matches adopters with the right pets to ensure successful placements;
• Assists with post-adoption concerns, coordinates off-site adoption events, and manages the Mobile Adoption vehicle;
• Responds to inquiries about adoptions via email, phone, web, or in person, and markets adoptable animals through various communication channels;
• Assists with lost pet inquiries and collaborate with marketing staff on outreach for adoptable, rescue, and transport animals;
• Supports and recruits fosters and volunteers through various channels, and implements strategies for recruitment and retention;
• Provides training, orientations, and mentorship to foster and volunteer teams, ensuring materials and databases are up to date;
• Coordinates foster care programs in partnership with shelter staff including selecting animals, providing ongoing care, and managing foster care providers;
• Administers prescribed treatments to foster animals, counsel caregivers, and assists with animal behavior assessments and enrichment plans, including for animals with special needs or behavioral challenges;
• Creates and maintains standard operating procedures (SOPs) for enrichment, behavior modification, and safe animal handling and trains staff and volunteers;
• Manages daily animal assessments and enrichment activities, monitor mental health and well-being, and adjusts care plans as needed to ensure the safety and success of the animals in the shelter;
• Handles potentially aggressive animals, makes recommendations on euthanasia, and ensures animals are placed in appropriate areas of the shelter for optimal care and behavior;
• Provides ongoing support for Foster, Volunteer, and Adoption programs, and liaises with local rescue groups through outreach efforts; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

This position is open to all candidates meeting the following minimum qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent;
• At least six (6) months of experience (paid or volunteer) working in an animal shelter or a recognized animal welfare organization or business;
• Must possess a valid motor vehicle operator's license;
• Must be able to safely and humanely handle and restrain cats and large dogs up to 50 pounds;
• Must be willing to work weekends and holidays.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Relevant, animal-related certifications;
• Bilingual speaking ability.

The successful candidate will possess the following:

• Knowledge of animal behavior including behavior modification techniques, enrichment strategies, and safe handling practices;
• Knowledge of shelter standards, procedures, and protocols for assessing animal health and suitability for adoption or foster care;
• Knowledge of the adoption process, including reviewing applications, assessing compatibility between animals and potential adopters, and guiding post-adoption follow-up;
• Knowledge of volunteer and foster recruitment, training, and retention strategies;
• Knowledge of local animal rescue groups, community outreach programs, and event coordination for animal care events;
• Ability to design and implement effective programs for fostering, adoption, and rescue;
• Ability to coordinating resources, such as volunteers, foster homes, and supplies, to ensure programs run smoothly;
• Ability to recruit new volunteers, conduct training, and ensure volunteers understand their roles within the shelter and their responsibilities for animal care and support;
• Ability to offer guidance and support to potential adopters and foster families, answering questions about animals' needs, temperament, and care;
• Ability to be detail oriented;
• Ability to work quickly and accurately in performing basic data entry and record keeping on a computer;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing;
• Ability to interact effectively and discreetly with the general public;
• Ability and willingness to work outside in varying weather conditions;
• Ability to work an irregular schedule, including nights, weekends and holidays; and
• Ability to work with co-workers and members of the public through effective interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.

This recruitment will close at 11:59 PM Pacific Time on Friday, November 21, 2025. To be considered, applicants must submit an online application. Applications will be reviewed for depth and breadth of experience, and for level and relatedness of education. The most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in further selection procedures. For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact

Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements, including submission of all required attachments, will not be considered.

The City of Long Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value and encourage diversity in our workforce. The City of Long Beach is committed to creating a workplace where every employee is valued for who they are. Having our workforce reflect the diversity of our community at various levels of the organization is a continuous goal embraced by our departments, management staff, and policymakers. To support efforts of fairness and diversity, City Leadership is committed to incorporating equity and inclusion into our work by supporting staff and community partners. We are committed to promoting transparency by publishing updated demographic information for employees, including workforce diversity data and pay by race and gender.

The City of Long Beach will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You are not required to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until you receive a conditional job offer. If the City of Long Beach has concerns about a conviction that is directly related to the job after making a conditional job offer and conducting a background check, you will have the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide evidence to mitigate concerns, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting

The City of Long Beach intends to provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If special accommodation is desired, or if you would like to request this information in an alternative format, please call

In support of the City's Language Access Policy, bilingual skills (Spanish, Khmer and/or Tagalog) are desirable for positions interacting with the public.

For technical support with your application, please contact