Volunteer Foster Carer Check-ins Coordinator
Out of the Woods Rescue (OOTW) is a Melbourne-based, registered animal welfare charity dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in need. We are a 100% volunteer-run and foster-based organisation, meaning we don't operate a traditional shelter. Instead, the animals in our care live in foster homes across Melbourne while they receive the care and support they need before finding their forever homes.
We are looking for a friendly, reliable and compassionate Volunteer Foster Carer Check-ins Coordinator to help us stay connected with and support our foster carers.
About the role
Our foster carers are at the heart of what we do. With animals living across a network of foster homes rather than in a central shelter, regular communication with our carers is an important part of ensuring both our animals and our foster carers are well supported.
In this role, you'll be allocated a small number of foster carers to check in with once a week via Facebook Messenger. You'll ask how their foster animal(s) are going, make sure they have everything they need, and help identify any questions, concerns or support needs that should be passed on to the appropriate member of the OOTW team.
You won't be expected to provide veterinary advice or resolve complex issues yourself. Your role is to be a consistent point of contact, listen to our carers and make sure anything requiring further attention reaches the right person.
The role is fully remote and flexible, with check-ins able to be completed around your existing commitments.
Key responsibilities
- Check in with your allocated foster carers approximately once per week via Facebook Messenger
- Ask for updates on how the animals in care are progressing
- Check whether foster carers have the food, supplies information and support they need
- Identify and escalate any health, welfare, behavioural or other concerns to the appropriate OOTW team member
- Follow up on outstanding matters where required
- Maintain friendly, supportive and professional communication with foster carers
- Keep brief and accurate records of check-ins
- Help foster carers feel connected to and supported by the wider OOTW team.
About you
You don't need previous animal rescue experience. We're looking for someone who is:
- Friendly, approachable and a confident communicator
- Reliable and able to commit to checking in with carers each week
- Comfortable communicating primarily through Facebook Messenger
- Organised and able to keep track of multiple conversations and follow-ups
- Able to recognise when something needs to be escalated rather than trying to resolve it independently
- Respectful, non-judgemental and comfortable communicating with people from a range of backgrounds
- Supportive of OOTW's approach to animal welfare and foster-based rescue.
Experience in animal rescue, customer service, community services, volunteer support or administration may be helpful, but is not essential.
Why volunteer with OOTW?
This is a great opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to animal rescue without needing to foster yourself or regularly volunteer in person.
Supporting our foster carers ultimately means supporting the animals in their care. Regular check-ins help us identify concerns early, make sure carers have what they need and create a positive foster experience that encourages volunteers to continue fostering.
You'll become part of a passionate volunteer team and gain an insight into the behind-the-scenes work involved in running a foster-based animal rescue, while volunteering remotely and flexibly around your other commitments.
Applying
Please submit an application telling us a little about yourself, any relevant experience and why you're interested in volunteering with Out of the Woods Rescue. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by our team for an informal chat about the role before commencing.