Volunteer Coordinator

What We Do

The Busch Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS) is a non-profit organization with over 40 years of dedication to the protection and conservation of Florida’s wildlife and natural resources. To accomplish this goal the Sanctuary has a twofold mission of wildlife rehabilitation and environmental education. Rehabilitation: We rescue sick, injured, or orphaned native Florida wildlife in Palm Beach County. Last year we had over 5,200 patients come into our hospital. After rehab, our goal is to release our healthy animals back into the wild. Education: 90% of the almost 6,000 patients admitted each year to the Sanctuary’s wildlife rehabilitation center have suffered from some type of human-related injury. Collisions with automobiles, fishing line entanglement, illegal gunshots, poisonings, and electrocutions, are only a small example of the types of injuries that are regularly treated and why education of the public is so important.

Position

The Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for recruiting and supervising volunteer workers and providing direction, coordination, and consultation for all volunteer functions within the organization to help strengthen public or private programs and to involve a community of supporters; responsible for a variety of administrative tasks including taking in animal admissions, answering incoming phone calls, Welcome desk and Discovery Center Attendant and providing back up for the gift shop.

Benefits, Schedule, and Location

Benefits for Full Time Employees: Paid time off, medical insurance covered at 100%, vision, dental, life insurance, and 401(K) Plan with employer matching up to 4% of salary

Schedule: Regular work hours are generally 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Weekends are required.

Location: This position requires the Volunteer Coordinator to work from the Sanctuary in Jupiter, FL.

Responsibilities

• Recruit new volunteers.
• Hold volunteer interviews and orientation meetings.
• Coordinate volunteer training.
• Work with Department Directors on developing and maintaining volunteer policies, procedures, and standards of work.
• Develop, promote, and maintain a wide range of volunteer opportunities throughout the organization.
• Review written reports and observes work activities of volunteers to evaluate performance.
• Maintain accurate records in volunteer database and provides timely statistical and activity reports on volunteer participation.
• Confer and/or works with volunteers directly to resolve any grievances or issues and promotes cooperation.
• Supervise volunteers including recruiting, interviewing, placing applicants for volunteer work, conduct or coordinate their training, and discipline volunteers.
• Develop and oversee program budget, newsletter, appreciation and volunteer benefits.
• Organize and participate in volunteer recognition programs.
• Act as back-up for Hospital Front Desk, Discovery Center, Welcome Desk and Gift Shop.
• Provide a fun, educational, and positive Sanctuary experience for guests.

Other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Language Ability:

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

Math Ability:

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills:

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of word processing software, spreadsheet software, and internet software.

Education/Experience:

High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or one year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Certificates and Licenses:

Valid driver's license

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Delegating tasks
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written
• People skills
• Comfortable around animals
• Knowledge of Florida wildlife and environment

Physical Demands

With or without reasonable accommodation, employees in this position must be able to regularly stand, walk, sit, use hands, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, talk or hear, and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move 10 pounds, must frequently lift and/or move 20 pounds, and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 plus pounds.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee must have tolerance for working outdoors in a variety of weather conditions (including heat and rain) and exposure to biting insects, etc. The employee can be exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals required to maintain a sanitary hospital environment (such as bleach), bloodborne pathogens, and infectious parasites.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

BWS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic or status.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Every weekend

Work Location: In person