@Matthew Sawyer,
No, it is not possible to reference a pool, via SOAP, using the pool name. Instead, I'd suggest you look at the
Process Dispatch Framework on the Digital Exchange. You don't have to use it, but it will give you an idea of how you might address this. Basically, you expose a background VBO on a single resource. That VBO can then execute whatever process on the pool using AutomateC.exe.
Alternatively, stick a load balancer in front of your resources and let it handle distribution of the requests across the available resources.
Cheers,
Eric