The Volunteer Program Coordinator is responsible for administrative, logistical, and field support of the Yosemite Conservancy (YC) Volunteer Program. This role will work both independently and collaboratively with the Director of Volunteer Programs, the Volunteer Programs Assistant, and the National Park Service (NPS) to ensure the Conservancy’s volunteer programs are logistically sound, expertly implemented, and safely executed, with an eye for efficiency and a dedication to increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in park programs.
Who We Are
We’re passionate about Yosemite — and about helping all people connect with, learn about, and take care of the park. As a member of the Conservancy team, you’ll be making a difference for Yosemite every day. We work together to provide enriching visitor programs and services, and to support projects that protect wildlife, restore trails and habitat, advance scientific research, inspire visitors, and much more.
What You’ll Do
The Volunteer Coordinator reports to the Director of Volunteer Programs and is responsible for the following:
Leads:
- Manage acceptance, intake and onboarding of participants for all programs.
- Coordinate with NPS work leaders to plan relevant and appropriate volunteer work.
o Work Week Crew facilitation of 8+ projects throughout Yosemite.
o Special Events (single day) facilitation of up to 4 projects throughout Yosemite.
o Corporate Weekend facilitation of up to 5 projects in Yosemite Valley.
o Adopt a Highway – schedule 6 highway cleanup events per year - Craft a project schedule and calendar for the year.
Create detailed project descriptions and website material. - Utilize VolunteerMatters database for all scheduling and volunteer onboarding.
- Recruit volunteers for work week programs with a focus on local outreach, new community contacts, and reshaping programs to foster a safe and welcoming environment for diverse audiences.
- Recruit and manage all aspects of contract camp cook staff.
- Coordinate logistics for volunteer crews, cooks, and campsites, acting as the liaison between NPS and YC participants.
- Direct Assistant for weekly volunteer station and camp resupply.
- Deliver and relocate camp gear trailer to work week camps.
- Maintain labor statistics and metrics for all programs.
- Order and maintain tools, equipment, appreciation gifts, and bulk food for camp and work projects.
Supports:
- Collaborate with NPS work crew leaders to provide on-the-job training to volunteers in trail maintenance, vegetation restoration, and wildland fire mitigation skills and serve in a field leadership role.
- Track NPS campsite reservations and logistics in collaboration with Director and NPS.
- · Track annual budget for all service-based volunteer programs.
- Assist Director with seasonal board report updates, annual plan reviews, and revenue tracking
- Collaborate with marketing team to promote volunteer opportunities, recruitment and enrich digital and print content creation.
- Assist Director with Visitor Information Assistant training, risk management and Preventive Search and Rescue program.
- Assist with volunteer recruitment across all programs.
- Support NPS Volunteers Program as requested: Facelift, annual volunteer awards nominations and selection.
- Assist director with all volunteer appreciation events.
- Train Volunteer Programs Assistant in group leadership, project safety, field skills, and work crew camp setup/teardown.
- Support creation of Yosemite Valley VIA work schedules for each monthly group.
- Prepares training materials and assists in monthly training sessions.
- Oversees camp and field risk management of all volunteer programs.
Who You Are / Keys to Success (the must-haves)
To be successful in this job, you will excel in these areas:
Hard skills:
- Demonstrate ability to implement a range of outdoor programming logistics.
- Familiarity with or a drive to learn Yosemite National Park summer operations.
- Extensive knowledge of safety in the outdoors; able to teach, guide, and monitor participants to prevent and minimize accidents in camp and at work.
- Strong office administration, computer skills, data management, and ability to work with new software and technology are a must, including Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint, Adobe, VolunteerMatters.
- Valid Driver’s license
- Ability to pass a background check and clearance to drive company vehicles, including towing gear trailer
Soft skills:
- Committed to continual learning and teaching, to the Conservancy mission, and to advancing a culture of inclusion in the organization and in Yosemite.
- Excellent communication and relationship skills with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
- Able to adapt to changing conditions and meet moving deadlines while working in both the office and field.
- Can work well independently or as part of a team.
- Ease and ability to engage with and teach people from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and ethnic backgrounds and of diverse ages.
- Able to prioritize and act quickly and thoughtfully on the myriad of logistical challenges that are endemic to working in Yosemite National Park.
- Highly independent, self-starter who displays initiative in developing new projects and collaborations.
- Creative thinker and open-minded problem solver with a calm and flexible demeanor.
- Organized trip planning and event or project management skills.
The following are plusses, but not requirements:
- H.S. diploma or equivalent required; college degree preferred
- Wilderness First Responder certification
- Prior work experience in Yosemite National Park
- Working knowledge of the natural and cultural history of the Sierra Nevada
Working Conditions:
- From May-October this role will include occasional fieldwork, with the remainder of the time being primarily office based with regular volunteer trainings, meetings, and site visits.
- Office time will involve regular sitting or standing at a desk and computer for extended periods.
- Field season will involve frequent standing, bending, crouching, and hiking moderate distances at high elevation and on uneven terrain in all weather conditions, lifting and carrying objects up to 40 lbs. when hauling supplies or backpacking.
- The volunteer coordinator will be required to carry and use hand tools such as shovels, rakes, McLeods, loppers, axes, hand and crosscut saws, grip hoists, rock bars and more.
- Occasional evenings, weekends, and overnight work (typically camping) will be required.
- This position’s weekend is Sunday and Monday. Work week is Tuesday – Saturday.
What Else You Should Know:
We value diversity among our staff just as we value it among park visitors. As such, Yosemite Conservancy is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage people of all backgrounds to apply to join our team.
The position is full-time and based in El Portal, CA and Yosemite National Park with the majority of work in-person in the park. For administrative days, we do offer a hybrid work from home schedule. Housing may be available in El Portal. This position will furlough for 8-12 weeks in the winter.
The compensation for this position is $24-25/hour, depending on experience.
We also offer excellent benefits, including:
- 11 annual holidays and 2 floating personal days
- 100% paid premiums for employee health insurance
- vision and dental insurance
- basic life insurance\
- vacation and sick leave
- retirement program (following one year of employment)
- annual National Parks pass
- and more
How to Apply
Please apply with a cover letter and resume in a single PDF. Deadline for application is January 16, 2026.
