Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is looking for a skilled and personable Volunteer Coordinator to enhance our volunteer program. Volunteers are a very important part of our operations and support all aspects of the organization. The Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for the management and coordination of all activities for the approximately 200 volunteer corps at Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. Tasks for the volunteer program include volunteer recruitment, training, management, appreciation, tracking and communication. This is a non-exempt position and pays $21.00 per hour. 

Responsibilities:

• Assess volunteer needs and develop plans for actively recruiting and increasing the number of volunteers
• Collect and evaluate all volunteer applications and coordinate initial contact and interviews
• Collect all relevant information for required background checks, and ensure all volunteers have current background checks as required by the National Audubon Society
• Maintain volunteer database and records, including hours reports for all volunteers
• Prepare reports as needed, with at least annual reporting on total volunteer hours, student service, outside groups, RV/Campus host program.
• Schedule and coordinate volunteer trainings to include self, key staff members, and current volunteers as mentors through a comprehensive introductory educational program
• Assist with coordination of continued educational opportunities for new and veteran volunteers
• Meet periodically with volunteer coordinators of similar non-profits and organizations to determine best practices and make adjustments to Corkscrew protocols as appropriate
• Coordinate daily online volunteer schedules to meet visitor, boardwalk and center operational needs
• Establish a protocol for volunteer requests and ensure volunteers are filling prioritized needs to meet visitor expectations and staff and sanctuary needs
• Manage volunteers with tact and diplomacy, while ensuring a high level of customer service and positive public relations
• Work with appropriate staff to establish and conduct methods of evaluating volunteer performance
• Produce and distribute regular communications containing relevant information
• Serve as onsite staff contact person for volunteers and be available to assist them and answer questions as needed
• Meet with the volunteer Day Captains on a monthly basis to exchange ideas, concerns, news
• Oversee the planning, coordination and tracking of attendance and budgets for annual volunteer appreciation events
• Inventory and maintain supplies, forms, and equipment utilized by center and boardwalk volunteers and acquire or develop new materials as needed
• Schedule and conduct volunteer outings intended to serve as both continuing education and a thank you for service
• Convey news about volunteers and the volunteer program to the public via postings in the Blair Audubon Visitor Center
• Maintain volunteer hours records and display volunteer achievements via the Volunteer Service Hours Plaque in the Blair Audubon Visitor Center
• Continue migration of volunteer records from print into online database
• Monitor volunteer online recording of service hours to ensure accuracy
• Work with appropriate staff to assess establishing volunteer schedules and posting specific openings and opportunities online
• Attend Florida Gulf Coast University Service Learning Fairs and similar student service opportunities to increase the number and hours of student volunteers
• Serve as the liaison with outside service groups, such as Outward Bound and AmeriCorps, and coordinate with appropriate staff to schedule visits and specific service opportunities
• Oversee the hiring and employment of seasonal part-time RV/Campus Hosts, who are paid to close the boardwalk and campus at the end of the day and serve as emergency contacts during after hours
• Coordinate with RV/Campus Host to determine possible volunteer interests, and communicate any interests to appropriate staff members
• Provide an annual assessment/evaluation of the RV/Campus Host program to the Sanctuary Director

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or minimum of three years of professional experience with staff or volunteer management
• Self -driven with the ability to work well in a team setting as well as unsupervised
• Highly organized and detail-oriented with ability to multi-task
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse group of people and to facilitate positive programmatic outcomes
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products and comfortable working in databases
• Experience using Volgistics volunteer management system or similar program
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• Excellent customer service skills
• Nonprofit experience with volunteers and/or membership programs a plus
• First Aid/CPR or ability to obtain certification and/or provide this training to others
• Commitment to conservation and the mission of Audubon Florida
• Willingness to work weekends and/or flexible schedule