Animal Services Foster Coordinator
Wake County GovernmentWhat You'll Be Doing
Are you ready to make a difference in the lives of homeless pets? The Wake County Animal Center is looking for an outgoing and enthusiastic team player to join their team as an Animal Services Foster Coordinator. The Foster Coordinator works directly with our medically needy and behaviorally challenging animal population and coordinates the placement of eligible animals into foster homes using social media, email and phone calls. They are also responsible for managing the administrative tasks of the Foster Program, such as recruiting foster homes, processing applications and Shelter Buddy foster transactions, responding to emails, developing and revising protocols and policies, participating in off-site events, and providing backup for the Transfer Coordinator. This role has a direct impact on our live-release rate and live-saving capabilities. If you can expertly juggle handling animals, communicating with foster homes, and assisting with difficult decisions, this is your chance to make a real impact on the lives of the animals in our care.
Essential Functions:
- Animal handling – including medically and behaviorally challenging animals.
- Recruiting, training, and coaching families in the Foster Program.
- Administrative work – data entry, social media management, etc.
- Direct impact on euthanasia statistics and life-saving initiatives.
About Our Team
The Wake County Animal Center is an open-admission animal shelter operated by Wake County Government and on average takes in between 11,000 to 12,000 animals each year. We receive all stray, abandoned and surrendered pets in Wake County. The Center works in partnership with fosters, volunteers and local rescues, to treat and rehome thousands of homeless animals every year.
The Basics (Required Education and Experience)
- High school diploma or GED
- Three years of experience in animal center operations
- Valid Driver's License and "safe" driving record
- Equivalent education and experience are accepted
- Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.
Beyond the Basics (Preferred Education and Experience)
- Two years managing a volunteer and/or animal foster program with 20+ volunteers.
- Two years of animal training experience.
- Multilingual.
How Will We Know You're 'The One'?
- Excellent time management skills in managing your time to accomplish assigned tasks and shared responsibilities.
- Solid interpersonal skills — outgoing, patient, professional, and able to get along well with a variety of people.
- Familiarity and knowledge with the care and humane handling of shelter animals, such as dogs, cats, and small critters.
- Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Windows and Office, especially Word, Excel, and Outlook, and comfortable learning and using online information systems.
- Ability to solve basic problems by considering a full range of options, finding solutions, and making decisions to resolve situations.
- Knowledge of social media usage, ways to target community members, and communication and dissemination techniques, including alternative methods to inform and recruit animal fosters via written, oral, and visual media.
- Skills in selecting and using training or instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
About This Position
Location: Wake County Animal Control Raleigh, NC 27610
Employment Type: Regular
Work Schedule: Five eight-hour shifts each Saturday-Sunday workweek, some evening and weekend availability required
Hiring Range: $27.20 - $42.63
Market Range: 27.20 - 42.63
Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.
Posting Closing Date: 7:00 pm on 8/17/2026
What Makes Wake Great
Consistently ranked high among the best places to live and work in America, Wake County is home to NC State University, Research Triangle Park, and 2006 Stanley Cup Champions, the Carolina Hurricanes. In addition to being Wake County’s seat of government, Raleigh is also the center of state government, with the Capitol Building, legislature and many state government offices located in Raleigh. With an estimated population of just over 1.2 million residents, Wake County is North Carolina’s most populous county. Entertainment, recreation, and art and culture abound with the North Carolina Museum of Art, JC Raulston Arboretum, and the Neuse River Trail all in the heart of Wake County. Wake County uses the Council/Manager form of government. Currently, the seven members of the Board of Commissioners are elected by district on a partisan basis and serve four-year terms. In Fall 2026, two at-large seats will be added for nine total commissioners. The County is regarded as a fiscally responsible and well-managed government, enjoying a AAA bond rating. The County’s FY2026 General Fund budget is approximately $2.1 billion, and the County has over 5,100 full time employees. Wake County Government came in at #2 on the Healthiest Employers list for 2024. This year, US News & World Report ranked Raleigh #5 on its list of Best Places to Live, and the Milken Institute ranked Raleigh #1 on its 2025 list of Best-Performing Cities.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Wake County provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.
Background Check Statement
Position may require a background check that may include: criminal, credit, motor vehicle, education, and sexual offender registry or others based on job requirements. Unless required by state law, a record of conviction will not automatically exclude you from consideration for employment. Wake County Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Emergency Service Worker Statement
In the event of an emergency, as determined by the County Manager or designee, participation in preparedness and response operations should be expected. Employee may be required to fill a temporary assignment in a role different from standard duties, work hours and/or work location in preparation for, during and after the emergency. Employee may also be required to participate in relevant exercises and regular preparedness training.