Adoption and Foster Coordinator

About The Sato Project 

The Sato Project (TSP) is a New York-based non-profit organization dedicated to saving abused and abandoned dogs in Puerto Rico, and working for long-term change on the island through  our Spay/Neuter/Vaccine and Microchip Program. We rescue and rehabilitate the dogs before  flying them to NYC, where we find them forever homes. We have rescued over 7,500 dogs since  our inception in 2011, and our work has been covered by national and international media outlets including the New York Times, NPR, and CNN. Learn more about our work at  www.thesatoproject.org. 

Position Description 

TSP’s Adoption Coordinator is a positive, energetic leader who is responsible for all adoption and foster-related activities both in Puerto Rico and on the mainland. This role requires an experienced, organized, and thoughtful team player to oversee our existing adoption and foster operations and to implement best practices and strategies going forward. 

This professional will be detail-oriented, able to work independently and manage a variety of concurrent projects. They will possess strong organizational skills and the ability to multi-task and pivot, as warranted. The ideal candidate will have a passion for TSP’s mission of animal rescue and welfare and the skills necessary to manage a volunteer team who will be equally passionate about this mission. The candidate should have excellent communication skills, both  verbal and written and the willingness to collaborate with other members of our small but  mighty team, on a daily basis, both in NY and Puerto Rico and will report to the President & Founder of the organization. 

This position is based in New York City and is a hybrid of remote and in-person work. In-person presence will be required at meetings at our office in Dumbo, Brooklyn on a biweekly basis as well as presence at transports and other special events in the tristate area.  Occasional travel to Puerto Rico may also be required. 

Prior experience in animal welfare is a plus; a passion for TSP’s mission to rescue, rehabilitate and create real change for the people and animals of Puerto Rico is a MUST.

Key responsibilities: 

1. Oversee Foster and Adoption process (both in Puerto Rico and on the mainland), from start to finish, which includes screening/interviewing applicants, matching dogs with appropriate families, preparing necessary documentation and maintaining accurate records.
2. Manage a large volunteer team consisting of application processors, adoption support team, transport volunteers, and fosters, emphasizing the importance of these volunteers in all aspects of TSP’s program.
3. Provide guidance and education to adopters on responsible pet ownership.  This includes adoption support in the weeks/months following placement.
4. Cultivate and maintain a positive working relationship with Sanctuary team in Puerto Rico to ensure accurate knowledge transfer with regard to the health and behavior of every dog in the program.
5. Oversee logistics for Freedom Flights to the mainland and ensure every animal is transported safely.
6. Maintain relationships with veterinary clinics, rescue partners,  and  pharmaceutical companies.
7. Work closely with the Communications Manager to ensure that available dogs are highlighted on social media channels.

Candidate Requirements: 

You are passionate about helping animals, and you are extremely organized and self-motivated. You must possess the ability to work under pressure, pivot as needed, set priorities and meet deadlines. You are a great communicator and have a very keen eye for detail. You are also a team player. 

Qualifications and Experience

• 3-5 years experience in animal welfare a must
• Ability to commute to our Brooklyn office biweekly and attend other occasional events in the tristate area
• Special consideration will be given to bilingual (English/Spanish) applicants.
• Ability to handle seeing animals that have been abused, abandoned, and neglected and follow predefined protocols during their rehabilitation and subsequent permanent placement 
• Must have a general knowledge of shelter programs and basic animal care.

SALARY: $55,000 - $60,000 + fully paid health insurance, paid holidays, sick, and vacation time, as well as a discretionary bonus

TO APPLY: Please send a resume and cover letter to jobs@thesatoproject.org. Please reference “Adoption Coordinator” in the subject line. Resumes submitted without a cover letter will not be considered.