General Summary: Each year, the Maryland Zoo relies on the help
of over 1,000 volunteers
in different capacities to help execute its mission to engage guests in
supporting wildlife and wild places. The Volunteer Coordinator supports the volunteer team to ensure the success of the Zoo
volunteer programs by performing essential
operational functions such as data management, daily deployments, reporting,
scheduling, communication, recruiting, training and evaluation. The Volunteer
Coordinator works closely with the volunteer team to ensure volunteer and guest
satisfaction.
Essential Functions:
Primary Function:
- Proactively and
enthusiastically engage volunteers in a variety of volunteer programs that
support the zoo’s mission and reflect the interests and needs of the zoo’s
audiences, including teen programs, internships, group service projects,
special event support, campus maintenance, education, and guest support
and engagement;
- Support daily office functions
for volunteers of all types, including sharing operational updates,
ensuring access to necessary materials, answering questions and providing
departmental support;
- In the absence of a volunteer
manager or director, the volunteer coordinator may be required to assume managerial functions for daily operations;
- Facilitate the recruiting
process, provide leadership, and assist, at large events and projects
where volunteers participate;
- Facilitate smooth and speedy
onboarding for new volunteers by processing applications, organizing
interviews, and
leading some orientations;
- Maintain thorough and accurate
volunteer records and generate reports using the volunteer management
database and other tools;
- Maintain
the physical resources of the volunteer department such as radios, keys,
uniforms, etc.;
- Assist volunteer management
team with coordinating and administering volunteer appreciation events
throughout the year;
- Take an active role in daily
operations and program development of volunteers and interns as needed by
coordinating schedules, arranging physical resources, leading activities,
organizing presenters, and team building;
- Communicate regularly with
volunteers using a variety of media;
- Perform other duties as
assigned; and,
- Adhere to all policies and
procedures of the Zoo.
Communication (Internal
and External):
- Communicate with potential and
current volunteers using all available media;
- Partner with all Zoo
departments to ensure consistency and coherence in all Zoo programs and events;
and
- Deliver extraordinary customer
service to all Zoo guests and volunteers.
Management of Resources
(financial, human resources, facilities):
- Ensure volunteer records are
maintained appropriately for statistical and reporting purposes; and,
- Take an active role in tracking
and stocking necessary supplies such as gloves, radios, etc.;
Minimum Qualifications:
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
Experience/Training:
- Demonstrated leadership
experience;
- Minimum of two years of
customer service related experience;
- Experience utilizing technology
and social media for recruitment and/ or as a communication system
strongly preferred;
- Working knowledge of Microsoft
programs, G-Suite, and ability to master a proprietary volunteer
management and training databases; and,
- Possess a valid driver’s
license.
Traits Desirable:
- Strong leadership,
interpersonal and listening skills, as well as high personal motivation
and ability to motivate others;
- A personal commitment and
awareness of the importance of volunteerism
- Excellent oral and written
communication skills;
- Ability to remain focused and
complete projects and tasks when office area and surroundings are filled
with possible interruptions or interferences;
- Ability to work with
individuals from a wide variety of ethnic, cultural and economic
backgrounds; and,
- Organized, self-motivated,
upbeat, goal-oriented and eager to work with a wide variety of people and
tasks in a dynamic environment.
Equipment:
- Must be able to operate a
variety of machines and equipment including computer, telephone, scanner,
copier, and/or a computer based point of sale system, two-way radio, golf
cart, vehicles, etc.
Working Conditions:
- Must be able to stand and remain
active for an eight hour shift;
- Must be able to walk large
areas of the Zoo as needed;
- Must be able to work in an
outdoor weather environment in all seasons and weather, including
heat/humidity, cold temperatures, and/or wet conditions;
- Daily contact with plants and
animals including being subject to bites, stings and scrapes;
- Ability to work a flexible
schedule to include weekends, holidays, and special events;
- Must be able to exert up to 35
pounds of force to lift, push, pull, carry, or otherwise move objects;
- Must be able to view a computer
screen and type on a computer keyboard for extended periods of time; and,
- Ability to travel as needed –
locally or nationally.
Disclaimer:
The statements above are
intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by
employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be
construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills
required of all personnel so classified. Therefore, management reserves
the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be
performed when circumstances change.
Please visit our careers page to see more job opportunities.