Volunteer Program Manager

About the role

The Volunteer Program Manager leads the Gardens' volunteer program by recruiting, matching, training, and supporting volunteers across a wide range of roles that advance the organization's mission and guest experience. This is a Year-round, Full-time management position. Scheduling requires one weekend day when open to the public, as well as some flexibility during the week and occasional evening events.

Responsibilities

• Consult with leadership and staff to determine organization's needs for various volunteer services.
• Match volunteers with assignments and support staff to train, supervise, and engage volunteers placed in their departments.
• Plan, organize, and implement volunteer orientation(s), training, professional development, and ongoing volunteer engagement events.
• Review and update recruitment plan annually and recruit volunteers for a large variety of assignments within the Gardens, both type of work and time commitment.
• Write and revise job descriptions, determine appropriate recruitment resources, and interview potential volunteers.
• Manage the planning, implementation, training, and long-term strategy of the docent program, including working in close collaboration with the Interpretation & Exhibits team.
• Regularly assess volunteer performance, address performance issues as needed, and evaluate volunteer satisfaction to improve the overall volunteer experience.
• Support and strengthen the cultural competency of volunteers by implementing the Gardens' Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility values within volunteer programming and support.
• Develop and manage the Volunteer Program budget.
• Hire, train, and manage the Volunteer Engagement Team, ensuring they meet performance expectations, provide an inclusive environment and excellent guest experience for volunteers, and effectively collaborate with staff.
• Support Volunteer Engagement Team with tasks such as the management of volunteers and group tour arrivals, greeting and transport of guests, including covering scheduled lunches.

Requirements

• At least five years of demonstrated success working with volunteers and customer service (preferred in a cultural institution).
• At least five years of demonstrated success building and leading high-functioning and collaborative teams.
• Ability to delegate tasks and oversee team’s work, hold employees accountable for work performance, and coach and develop employees.
• Demonstrated success leading tours and docents with a deep understanding of tour etiquette and informal education.
• Leadership ability to implement a strategic vision and cultivate buy-in on the team.
• High level of organization, attention to detail, and ability to independently manage scheduling and communications with large numbers of people during peak periods of the season.
• Ability to engage and communicate effectively and foster relationships amongst a wide group of individuals and across multiple departments, to successfully build an inclusive team and manage conflict.
• Ability to communicate the value of volunteering generally, the value of volunteers to the Gardens, and the value of the Gardens to the community.
• Proficient user of Microsoft Office and database management platforms.
• Comfort interacting with guests, volunteers, staff, board members, and the community, striving to exceed guest expectations and creating an exceptional experience for those visiting the Gardens.
• Some knowledge of gardening, local history, and local geography is desirable.
• Commitment to working across the organization and leading volunteers to support our Community Agreements and integration of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility principles into the Gardens’ internal operations and its relationships with visitors and guests.

Benefits

Year-round employees receive personal and sick paid time off, health and retirement benefits, discounts in our culinary programs and Gardenshop, and a Gardens membership. $64,000 – 71,000 salaried, exempt.

Pay

$64,000 – 71,000 salaried, exempt

Schedule

Year-round, Full-time