Position Summary
The Volunteer Programs Coordinator is a position that helps to oversee Mississippi Aquarium’s Volunteer Department. Volunteer Programs Coordinator will build a strong core of volunteers by working closely with the community and ensuring retention. This position requires initiative, creativity, and strength in program development. The Volunteer Programs Coordinator will work closely with other members of the Guest Experience & Education Department.
Responsibilities
1. Help build, implement, and oversee the success of Mississippi Aquarium’s Volunteer Department; program areas of volunteer service include internships, adult (18+), family, higher education, docent, special needs, teens, and group opportunities
2. Respond to phone and email requests for information on Mississippi Aquarium’s Volunteer Programs
3. Coordinate, conduct and manage training and continuing education opportunities for all team members.
4. Act as a friendly, engaging, and supportive representative to all Mississippi Aquarium volunteers, interns and employees
5. Review all volunteer applications; Conduct new volunteer interviews and phone screens
6. Develop and present new volunteer orientation; always seeking to grow and improve the onboarding process
7. Consistently update and maintain volunteer administrative policies including Mississippi Aquarium’s Volunteer Handbook
8. Serve as the primary point of contact for volunteers during shifts, provide guidance, and ensure volunteers are adhering to MSAQ’s high level standard of excellence
9. Utilize MSAQ’s volunteer management platform and database, Volgistics
10. Provide excellent communication to all volunteers including Aquarium updates, training and learning opportunities, appreciation initiatives, recruitment needs for specific shifts, etc.
11. Maintain accurate records for volunteers, and provide appropriate reporting records for evaluation and long-term strategic planning
12. Coordinate and participate in volunteer appreciation events, and celebrate volunteer service daily
13. Consistently review, discuss and propose steps to increase recruitment
14. Fill in and support daily operational needs when necessary
15. Work weekends and evenings when necessary
16. Work in a collaborative team environment, cross-train and support all other Guest Experience areas with projects, planning, and trainings
Qualifications
1. Must have extensive working knowledge utilizing Volgistics
2. Minimum 2-4 years of experience supervising a volunteer program
3. Minimum 4-year bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management or related field
4. Previous experience in special event planning and community networking is preferred
5. Must be comfortable interacting with the public and have a strong background in leading a diverse group of all ages
6. Must have superior public speaking and writing skills
7. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Products
Other Personal Attributes Include:
• Consistently looking forward, focused, ready to listen
• A heart for service, always willing to provide support to fellow team members
• Make important and tough decisions with resilience and grace
• Communicate a strategy well, oversee execution, and celebrate results
• Highly organized self-starter maintaining high standards
• Have an awareness and interest in the conservation of aquatic environments and their inhabitants
• Innovative, creative thinker; not afraid to propose something new and inspire others to do the same
• Proactive in finding solutions, productive, and efficient
Team Requirements
1. Safety & Security - All Team Members are required to adhere to all Mississippi Aquarium safety and security standards.
2. Attendance & Appearance - To maximize the guests experience, all Team Members are required to adhere to Mississippi Aquarium standard operating procedures regarding attendance and dress code policies as it relates to individual job functionality.
3. Sales & Guest Services - Our forward-thinking business model requires listening and understanding the needs of our guests both internal and external. To that end, we must
always be focused on the guest experience which is the key driver for return guest visitation and increased sales.
4. Team Partnership - All Team Members are focused on supporting each other to complete the guest experience. Therefore, supporting, facilitating, and participating in activities that promote team effectiveness is vital to our organization.
Physical Demands & Work Environment
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
