DescriptionSUMMARY
The Manager of Volunteers plans, manages, and implements the Zoo’s Volunteer Program’s overall strategic goals and objectives. They develop and implement strategic plans to increase the overall visibility of the Volunteer Program throughout the local community. The Manager of Volunteers may oversee the work assignment and work performance of staff, paid interns, and volunteers. They develop and oversee the execution of the annual Volunteer Services budget and act as the subject matter expert to staff, management, volunteers and the local community.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Oversee all aspects of Birmingham Zoo Volunteer Services, including:
- Volunteer staff
- Adult Volunteer Program
- Teen Volunteer Program
- Paid Internship Program
- Coordinate all elements of volunteer and paid internship program, including development and facilitation of:
- long-term planning and goal setting
- annual budget
- marketing and recruitment strategy and execution
- interviews and pre-onboarding
- onboarding and continuing training
- disciplinary/probationary actions and dismissals
- retention planning and maintenance
- recognition planning and events
- recruitment of group and corporate volunteers for annual special events
- creation, maintenance, monitoring, and distribution of supplies as needed
- oversite and maintenance of online volunteer database
- regular communication with volunteers, ensuring knowledge of Zoo current event, news, announcements, updates, and happenings
- Monitor, distribute, evaluate, and update all Volunteer Services policies, procedures, SOPs, job descriptions, and partnerships
- develop, maintain, and ensure adherence to all of the above
- collaborate with all departments to establish goals for volunteers
- work closely with all departments to help obtain goals for volunteers
- work closely with all departments on any volunteer issues
- receive feedback from all departments re: volunteer activities
- develop and maintain a volunteer training manual and handbook
- Build and maintain community partnerships to:
- Boost community awareness of Zoo’s volunteer opportunities
- Increase college and community awareness of Zoo’s paid internships
- Participate in activities/presentations
- Increase volunteer recruitment, retention, and participation year over year
- Build and maintain local and association-wide networking to:
- Share and receive information and ideas on management techniques and promotion methods
- Stay up to date on best practices for volunteer management in zoos and aquariums
- Be aware of local, regional, national, and international conversations around volunteerism within zoos and aquariums
- Oversees full-time, part-time, and seasonal Volunteer team members
- hire, supervise and evaluate direct reports
- provide employee support through training, evaluation, coaching, counseling and progressive discipline activities
- work proactively to advance a team spirit and positive work climate
- closely monitor staff morale and take appropriate action to resolve issues
- Administrative paperwork as needed/directed
- Other duties as assigned
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Volunteer Services Specialist
- Adult Volunteers
- Teen Volunteers
- Paid Interns
POSITION TYPE AND HOURS OF WORK
- Full-time, exempt (salary)
- Weekdays and weekends, some evenings, and some holidays required
- Will be added to Manager on Duty (MOD) rotation following emergency response training
SAFETY ANALYSIS
The Manager of Volunteers is impacted by hazardous exposures common to an office environment as well as public safety in an outdoor environment. Some of the following exposures will occur daily:
- Exposure to animals, animal habitats, and/or animal-adjacent areas
- The proper use and understanding of cleaning agents
- Thorough understanding and adherence of guest safety protocols, particularly with young children.
Specific training and procedures will be provided, designed to maintain safety of people as the highest priority of the zoo followed by the safety of the animal collection.
The use and understanding of a variety of personal safety equipment is mandatory.
All employees of the Zoo are required to be familiar with the Zoo’s overall safety policies as outlined in the employee handbook as well as being responsible for reporting any injury immediately to the first aid department.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee should expect:
- Use of hands, fingers, tools or controls.
- Frequently required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, bend, crawl, crouch and talk or hear.
- Routinely lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
- Requires frequent walking for long distances
- Exposure to wet surfaces.
- Frequent exposure to the elements can be expected.
QualificationsQUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
The Birmingham Zoo recognizes that skills and knowledge come from both formal and informal experiences including education, paid work, volunteer service, and life experience. Those who meet the majority of the requirements for a position are encouraged to apply.
- College degree or appropriate combination of education and experience
- Previous volunteer program coordination experience preferred
- Must be goal oriented, highly motivated, and able to multi-task
- Must possess excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Effective training and presentation skills required
- Basic proficiency with technology required (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Teams, projectors, laptop and desktop computers, navigating phone apps, etc.)
- The ability to work successfully as part of a team.
- Must have reliable transportation to and from work
- Must be able to work onsite 40 hours per week with flexibility for evenings and weekends
- Preferred to have a current, valid driver’s license with no major traffic violations within the last three years. A pre-employment Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) check will be conducted, and an annual MVR review is required.
- Must be First aid/CPR certified or willing to be trained and certified.
- Must be Mandated Reporter certified or willing to be trained and certified.
- Must be willing to complete a TB test annually, if needed
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Birmingham Zoo is committed to being a place where everyone feels welcome, whether as a guest, team member, or part of our broader community. Our core values— Passion, Excellence, Teamwork, Stewardship, and Inclusion— shape a work environment where respect, collaboration, and learning are valued. We encourage candidates with unique perspectives and experiences to apply.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Birmingham Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
If selected, a background check and drug test will be conducted prior to beginning employment.
Birmingham Zoo Inc. is a not-for-profit entity.
