Volunteer and Community Engagement Coordinator
DEPARTMENT: Audubon, Phoenix Based
JOB TYPE: Part-time
POSITION OVERVIEW:
Now in its second century, Audubon is dedicated to protecting birds and other wildlife and the habitat that supports them. Audubon’s mission is engaging people in bird conservation on a hemispheric scale through science, policy, education and on-the-ground conservation action. By mobilizing and aligning its network of Chapters, Centers, State and Important Bird Area programs in the four major migratory flyways in the Americas, the organization will bring the full power of Audubon to bear on protecting common and threatened bird species and the critical habitat they need to survive. And as part of BirdLife International, Audubon will join people in over 100 in-country organizations all working to protect a network of Important Bird Areas around the world, leveraging the impact of actions they take at a local level. What defines Audubon’s unique value is a powerful grassroots network of nearly 500 local chapters, 22 state offices, 41 Audubon Centers, Important Bird Area Programs in 46 states, and 700 staff across the country. Audubon is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).
Summary:
The Volunteer and Community Engagement Coordinator will train, recruit, and schedule volunteers to assist with the programs and operation of the Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center (“the Center”), as well as oversee the scheduling, staffing and operations operations of community engagement efforts and community events. Currently this position is part-time (with possibility of becoming full-time) and will report to the Finance and Operations Manager.
Essential Functions:
Volunteer Coordination
- Recruit, train, schedule and manage volunteers to assist with interpretive programs, conservation activities and community outreach.
- Arrange volunteer appreciation programs and activities.
- Work closely with other staff to assess volunteer opportunities and Center needs.
- Serve as the first point of contact for interested volunteers, providing an overview of volunteer opportunities and needs, and responding to application requests.
- Maintain ongoing communication with volunteers on performance and suggested operations enhancement.
- Network with groups in Arizona that utilize volunteers and create appropriate recruitment and training materials.
- Maintain Volgistics volunteer management software, including e-communications and reporting.
- Coordinate background checks for volunteers with Audubon Arizona Finance and Operations Manager.
Community Engagement
- Build relationships with the community, local media and visitor services outlets (visitor centers, tourism offices, visitor publications) to publicize the Center and its activities.
- Actively seek out and staff volunteer and community outreach events (volunteer fairs, educational activities, community events, etc.) to enhance Audubon Arizona’s local presence.
- Assist Finance and Operations Manager with management of Nature Store, including volunteer recruitment and training to support store activities.
- Assist with scheduled events and programs as needed.
- Attend regular staff meetings to coordinate volunteer and community engagement activities with Center programs.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- 2+ years of experience coordinating volunteers and/or working in a supervisory capacity for volunteer recruitment and training.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Self-motivated, dedicated to accomplishing tasks, able to take initiative and solve problems.
- Strong organizational and relationship building skills.
- Must be people-oriented, work well as part of a team, and professionally represent Audubon to the public and volunteers.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Spanish language skills preferred.
- Proficiency with Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and other key Microsoft Office and web-based products.
- Proficiency with Volgistics preferred.
- Commitment to National Audubon Society mission and goals.
- Must be available to work most Saturdays, as well as some other weekdays and occasional Sundays and evenings, as the job demands.
- Valid driver’s license required and insurability required.