Job Description

About Reid Park Zoological Society:  Reid Park Zoological Society’s mission is to connect people with animals, inspiring the protection of wild animals and wild places. Be a part of a vibrant, growing organization as Reid Park Zoo continues to support local and global conservation and the highest standards in animal care while providing educational opportunities and family fun. 

We are committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone is valued. We believe a great guest experience starts with a great staff experience, making the Zoo a fun, vibrant, and rewarding place to be. 

We are seeking a dynamic and highly organized  Volunteer Services Supervisor  to lead one of our most vital departments. With a dedicated base of over 400 volunteers, you will be the primary strategist and mentor for the individuals who bring our mission of wildlife conservation to life.

This role is responsible for the full lifecycle of volunteer management—from innovative recruitment and specialized training to day-to-day supervision and large-scale recognition. You will oversee diverse programs including educational docents, interpretive volunteers, Zoo Crew (teens), animal enrichment, grounds keeping, and Zoo operations, community outreach, internships, work-study, and special event teams.

Reports to:  Human Resources Manager

Minimum Requirements: 

• Associate degree and five years of progressive experience in Human Resources, Volunteer Management, Non-Profit Management, Business Administration, or Project Management in a directly related field, OR equivalent combination of education and experience
• Three years of experience within a non-profit environment
• Three years of supervisory experience
• Demonstrated passion for wildlife conservation and the educational role of volunteers and volunteer management
• Strong organizational, communication, and excellent interpersonal skills, with a focus on guest relations and the ability to build and maintain positive, collaborative relationships across diverse groups
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays, and evenings for special events

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in a directly related field (per above) is strongly preferred
• Direct large-scale volunteer supervision/coordination experience is  strongly preferred
• Additional years of supervisory experience strongly preferred
• Experience with training methodologies and creating engaging training content
• Previous volunteer management experience
• Experience/proficiency using volunteer management
• Zoo experience and specifically, experience in an AZA zoo
• Bilingual (Any language, including ASL)

Pay Range : $46,200 to $54,200 annually (salary/exempt), depending on experience

Benefits : This is a fully benefited position, including group medical, dental, and vision insurance; life and disability insurance; paid holidays, vacation, and sick time; a retirement plan; zoo membership; an employee assistance program; tuition reimbursement; and discounts on concession and gift shop purchases.

No phone calls or visits, please. This position is open until filled. We are an Equal Opportunities Employer. We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff by creating an inclusive environment .

General Duties

• Demonstrate and model the core values of RPZS
• Perform duties in accordance with RPZS policies and procedures
• Provide excellent customer and guest service, both internally and externally, as a component of all job duties
• Follow Zoo safety protocols and procedures

Supervision and Mentorship:  Provides direct supervision, mentoring, and support to Volunteer Coordinator staff, volunteers, interns, and youth volunteer program participants, fostering a positive, inclusive environment. 

Volunteer Recruitment and Orientation

• Develop and implement outreach strategies to attract diverse volunteers and promote volunteer services and programs within the community
• Oversee volunteer recruitment, onboarding, engagement, retention, matching volunteers to roles, scheduling, and tracking hours
• In collaboration with Volunteer Coordinators, conduct orientations for new volunteers, providing essential information about the zoo, its mission, and volunteer roles

Training and Development

• Works collaboratively with the Conservation Education Department and Animal Care Teams to design and deliver training programs that equip volunteers with the necessary skills and knowledge to be effective mission ambassadors and perform their duties effectively; 
• Support and direct the Volunteer Coordinators to ensure volunteers have the necessary talent, qualifications, skills, and/or training to support Zoo operations and Events effectively 
• Support and direct the Volunteer Coordinators to ensure continuous training and application of the Zoo's customer and guest experience expectations across volunteer and intern groups
• Assess training needs and provide ongoing education opportunities for volunteers to enhance their experience, engagement, effectiveness, and alignment with the Zoo's mission, standards, and cultural expectations

Partnership and Support:  The supervisor will partner and work in close collaboration with the Human Resources Manager to: 

• Ensure the Zoo’s commitment to attracting and retaining a diverse staff and volunteer team by creating an inclusive, welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong
• Align Volunteer Services staff and volunteer initiatives with organizational policies, culture, and values; streamline recruitment processes, and maintain volunteer records
• Assist in the development and management of the volunteer budget, ensuring efficient use of resources
• Provide regular quantitative and qualitative metrics and department updates to the HR Manager
• Ensure health and safety training, and incident report completion
• Ensure company and department compliance, such as volunteer background checks and compliance training
• Mentor and develop staff to promote their professional growth and skills
• Complete 90-day reviews for new hires and jointly create a work plan with goals for the year
• Deliver annual performance reviews for direct reports and collaborate with them to align on work plan goals for the coming year
• Provide regular training and development, support, guidance, and timely performance feedback to staff and volunteers
• Make recommendations for promotion and status changes as appropriate
• Participate in employee/volunteer relations concerns, conflicts, or performance issues
• Oversee daily volunteer activities and supervise volunteer coordinators, ensuring that volunteers are effectively supported and recognized for their contributions
• Actively build and maintain positive relationships and collaborate with other departments to anticipate and identify volunteer needs, create volunteer opportunities, and ensure the needs of the departments and community are met effectively
• Act as a primary point of contact for volunteers and coordinators, addressing concerns and facilitating communication between volunteers, coordinators, and staff
• Participate in emergency drills
• Implement strategies to recognize volunteer contributions and cultivate a positive and engaging environment
• Promote an inclusive and equitable workplace by valuing diversity and showing respect for all individuals

Program Evaluation and Improvement

• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of programs, making recommendations for improvements as needed
• Collect feedback from volunteers and staff to continuously enhance the volunteer experience and effectiveness of the Volunteer Services Department

Community Engagement

• Foster partnerships with local schools, organizations, and community groups to create partnerships and promote the mission within the community, create volunteer opportunities, and outreach initiatives
• Plan and coordinate special events that involve volunteers, enhancing community involvement and support for the Zoo
• Provides on-the-ground support, training, and direction to volunteers during events

Other Required Qualifications

• Valid, unrestricted driver’s license
• Complete pre-employment background check and drug screen (no THC)
• Proof of current year COVID-19 Booster
• Proof of negative TB test within the immediate past 12 months OR complete pre-hire TB test and annual renewals (Company paid)
• Paid experience in managing staff and/or volunteers, strong organizational skills, and ability to lead and motivate teams
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to actively listen, communicate effectively, constructively, and build positive, collaborative relationships across diverse groups, ages, and abilities across all levels of the organization
• Strong ability to collaborate and cooperate with others across the organization and build trusted, professional relationships
• Ability to identify community needs, plan and develop programs, and use data to evaluate impact
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

Working Conditions:

• This position requires regular interaction with animals, staff, and visitors in a zoo environment
• This position requires the ability to work a flexible schedule when needed for events, weekends, and holidays
• The role may involve physical activities, including lifting, walking, and standing for extended periods
• May work outdoors frequently, for long periods, and in a variety of weather conditions

Please note that this document is not an exhaustive list. It is intended to give a reasonable idea of what might be required.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of Reid Park Zoological Society to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy on reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Human Resources Department

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