Position Title: Volunteer Coordinator
Department: Learning & Engagement
Reports To: Interim Director of Learning & Volunteers.
Location: Aquarium & Insectarium,
General Summary:
The Volunteer Coordinator (“Coordinator”) of downtown facilities is responsible for the implementation and daily operations of adult, youth, and episodic volunteer programs at the Audubon Aquarium & Audubon Insectarium, Audubon Species Survival Center, and Audubon Aquarium Rescue. The Coordinator is a relationship builder with staff, community members, and the volunteer corps and facilitates cross-departmental cooperation to ensure that volunteers are successfully trained and supported in their volunteer placements.Working collaboratively with both the Interim Director of Learning and Volunteers (“Director) and the Volunteer Coordinator of uptown facilities, the main responsibilities of this position include recruiting, onboarding, and training adult and youth volunteers; developing and facilitating volunteer feedback and evaluations; providing excellent customer service to volunteers and internal teams (electronically, in person, and by phone); developing and implementing volunteer engagement, continuing education, and recognition opportunities; coordinating volunteers for episodic projects and special events (including after-hours events); keeping accurate data and records in our volunteer database; and facilitating, implementing, and documenting volunteer disciplinary procedures including termination from the program. This position will also assist the Director with intern onboarding, training, and communications at their facilities.
This is a full-time hourly position with a Wednesday-Sunday work schedule from Aug-May and a Monday-Friday work schedule from June-July to support summer camp.
As a member of the L&E Department, this position will participate in and support a variety of educational and volunteer programming. The Coordinator will support the needs of Audubon Nature Institute and its various facilities as required.
To deliver on the Audubon mission, the Volunteer Coordinator will:
Provide a guest experience of outstanding quality by...
• Clearly, thoughtfully, and effectively communicating with volunteers and staff in a timely and professional manner.
• Delivering and evaluating adult volunteer programs that engage participants in Audubon’s mission in collaboration with
other internal teams.
• Recruiting, onboarding, training, and retaining members of the adult volunteer corps.
• Ensuring background checks and other required participant paperwork are completed and documented promptly.
• Planning and delivering regular volunteer events – including after-hours events – such as educational and professional
development opportunities, field trips, recognition events, and episodic service projects.
• Providing daily support to Audubon volunteers and their placement supervisors.
• Assist with the development of new volunteer placements.
• Assist with the development of new volunteer and staff trainings.
With the Director, coaching and holding volunteers accountable for Audubon policies and program expectations. This may include having difficult conversations with program participants, including termination from the program.
• Assist with the development and delivery of staff training and resources, as they relate to volunteers.
• Utilizing volunteer management software to track volunteer hours, records, and paperwork.
• Understanding the significance of his/her role and how it impacts guests, colleagues, and volunteers.
• Communicating issues, questions, and concerns in a timely manner.
Educate our diverse audience about the natural world by...
• Supporting departmental and institutional initiatives as necessary, including occasional programming outside of regular business hours and days or at other facilities.
• Encouraging volunteers to engage in conservation and sustainability best practices and leading by example.
• Actively seeking up-to-date information on informal education methodologies and volunteer management and engagement strategies.
Operate a financially self-sufficient collection of museums and parks by...
• Responsibly spending and tracking program funds within established parameters and notifying their supervisor of any additional needs.
• Ensuring the timely payment of program fees by participants.
• Collaborating with the L&E Administrative Coordinator to fulfill volunteer uniform needs.
The above-listed duties are general statements of required major duties and responsibilities performed regularly. They do not exclude other duties as assigned.
To deliver on the Audubon service promise, the Volunteer Coordinator will:
Welcome
• Make eye contact with every customer encounter, smile at every person, offer friendly phrases and greetings.
• Wear an identification badge.
• Walk individuals to their destination instead of pointing; aid people who look confused.
• Assume ownership of potential safety hazards (wipe-up spills, pick up trash). Always have the camera-ready look.
Share
• Maintain a positive attitude, pleasant tone of voice (remember it is not what you say, but how you say it).
• Coach coworkers on service expectations.
• Utilize the power of teamwork to give excellent service.
• Know when to involve management.
Inspire
• Know the answers to questions or seek out the answers.
• Utilize proper phone etiquette (answer phone within three rings, smile before answering call, ask for permission and
wait for response before placing caller on hold).
• Ensure work area is free of food, drink, socialization, and personal business.
• Follow Dress Code Policy on clothing and grooming.
• Keep unpleasant concerns behind closed doors (vent backstage)
Supervision: Supervises volunteers and interns working directly with the volunteer team. Facilitates the supervision of volunteers in other departments.
Experience & Skills:
• (1) year of relevant work experience, or an equivalent combination of work experience and education to perform the duties of the job, is required.
• Demonstrated experience working with volunteers or as a volunteer is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience or interest in working with youth/teen programs is strongly preferred.
• Ability to relate and communicate effectively with adults and teens from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Demonstrated knowledge of or interest in wildlife/habitat conservation, or a willingness to learn.
Education: A degree in a related field is preferred.
Licensure/Certification: Must have a valid, state-issued driver’s license.
Software & Equipment Requirements:
• Ability to use mobile devices, desktop phones, computers, and print/scan/copy machines.
• Ability to learn and utilize Microsoft 365, including Teams and SharePoint.
• Ability to learn and utilize volunteer database software.
Physical Requirements:
• May involve sitting most of the day but may also involve walking/standing/traveling for up to 2/3 of the day especially
during special events, volunteer projects, and training days.
• Ability to communicate with crowds in various situations including moderate to loud crowds.
• Typical ability to collect and analyze numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions
and ability to determine the time, place and sequence of operations or actions required.
• Regular talking and the ability to express and exchange ideas by means of language.
• May require carrying, lifting, pushing, and/or pulling items weighing up to 25 pounds.
Environmental/Working Conditions:
• The ability to work under and handle stress appropriately is required.
• May be exposed to high, medium, or low noise intensity.
• Regular interaction with co-workers and volunteers is required.
• The ability to work in a moderately noisy office is required.
• Affinity for animals and nature is required.
• Exposure to fluctuations in temperatures, extreme heat, and outdoor conditions is required.
• May be required to work weekends and occasional holidays and after-hours events.
Other abilities, skills, knowledge:
• Must be self-motivated and willing to take appropriate initiative.
• Must be able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines for a wide range of projects.
• Must have excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Must work effectively both independently and in a team environment.
• Must have excellent interpersonal skills with ability to interact with all levels of staff, donors, visitors, and peers.