Organization: Great Parks
About this position:
Join our team of dedicated and passionate people as a Volunteer Engagement Specialist. You’ll be working toward a mission you can believe in—preserving and protecting natural resources and providing outdoor recreation and education in order to enhance the quality of life for present and future generations.
A successful Volunteer Engagement Specialist works with the Director of Volunteer Engagement to increase community engagement and reach by cultivating vibrant and sustainable relationships with individuals, corporate teams, and community partners. This includes, but is not limited to recruitment, screening, training, placement and recognition of volunteers, with a strong focus on identifying, organizing, planning and facilitating meaningful volunteer experiences for community partners and corporate teams through external and interagency collaboration.
Great Parks of Hamilton County delivers on a promise to preserve and protect Hamilton County’s natural resources to residents and visitors. The park district stewards more than 17,700 acres that includes 22 parks and conservation areas, 78 trail miles, and 25 miles of river corridor. In 2022, Great Parks is embarking on a bold 10-year master plan to positively impact community-wide goals such as wellness, talent attraction, and economic development.
Be a part of an inclusive organization that enriches the region by inspiring nature-based experiences, celebrating cultural heritage and building strong and healthy communities through our dedicated staff, volunteers and friends.
- Organizes and coordinates the recruitment, screening, training and placement of volunteers; develops orientation and training materials; schedules and implements orientations; appropriately screens and matches volunteers with positions; follows up with volunteers and staff concerning assigned roles.
- Works to actively create sustainable relationships with corporate teams and partner organizations; facilitates the production of meaningful service experiences for external groups through effective interdepartmental cooperation, communication and collaboration
- Collaborates with staff to identify roles and projects for volunteers that meet the needs and goals of the park district; assists staff with supervision, training, and volunteer engagement.
- Recognizes volunteer achievement and support; assists with the planning and implementation of volunteer recognition events
- Cultivates a mutually beneficial relationship with the community to increase engagement and reach; promotes the volunteer program to gain community and organizational support; implements effective strategies to recruit and retain qualified volunteers with the appropriate abilities and aptitudes; works to expand the park district’s demographic reach, including teens and underrepresented communities; attends volunteer, job and community fairs.
- Communicates professionally with staff and volunteers; assists with emails and other communication to staff and volunteers; writes and edits articles and information for the volunteer and employee newsletters, park publications, park website, brochures, and on-line platforms.
- Monitors expenditures for the program against the approved budget; follows all park district purchasing policies and procedures.
- Organizes, coordinates, and implements volunteer educational opportunities; identifies and schedules speakers for volunteer meetings; promotes appropriate internal and external training to volunteers.
- Serves on local and regional committees and boards and participates and communicates with outside organizations to represent Great Parks and to keep informed of developments and trends in the volunteer resources field.
Working Conditions:
- Normal office working conditions; occasional exposure to typical traffic conditions and hazards when traveling to other parks and work locations; occasional exposure to extreme heat and cold, rain, snow, noise, biting and stinging insects and plant irritants when implementing projects in the field.
- Employee regularly lifts items up to 10 pounds, and occasionally lifts items up to 50 pounds.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Social Sciences, Communication, Public Relations, Public Administration, Organizational Leadership, or related field of study
- At least three years’ experience coordinating volunteer programs or ability to demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of volunteer programs
- Excellent verbal and written communication
- Able to demonstrate relationship building skills
- Ability to manage multiple projects at one time
- Experience with a volunteer database management system
License and Certification Requirements:
- State Motor Vehicle Operator’s License that meets GPHC current carrier guidelines.
- Currently have a volunteer management certification or equivalent of or be willing to obtain within 12 months of employment.
Typical starting hourly salary range for the position will be $20.44- $24.05 depending on experience and education.
Benefits include membership in Ohio Public Employees Retirement System, medical, dental, vision, paid life insurance, 11 paid holidays, paid sick days, paid vacation and recreational benefits at many of our parks.
Great Parks is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or any other classification protected under applicable law