What are the responsibilities and job description for the Volunteer Coordinator position at City of Ames, IA?
Centrally located in the heart of Iowa, Ames is a vibrant, progressive community with more than 66,000 residents providing an excellent quality of life. Home to Iowa State University, Ames offers year-round recreation opportunities, diverse cultural offerings, a stable economy, safe neighborhoods, and a high-achieving school district.
General Information
Under the direction of the Library Director, administers all aspects of the Library’s Volunteer Services programming including recruitment, orientation, training, supervision, evaluation and recognition. The Volunteer Coordinator works in collaboration with all Library workgroups and has a lead role in the Customer Account Services workgroup.
Ames Public Library is committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive space that honors the inherent dignity of customers, staff and the community as a whole. Ames Public Library works to reduce barriers to access for the public, provide a welcoming environment for community members, and to foster a supportive workplace. As such, all employees are expected to create a culture of inclusivity, respect and equality for staff and customers.
We invite candidates who have strong leadership and communication skills and are dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive space that connects our community to the world of ideas to apply.
Ames Public Library
In order to be considered for this position, all applicants must submit their online application by the deadline listed on this posting. Your application includes complete responses to the supplemental questions. Please keep in mind that submission of a resume in lieu of work history on your application or answering the supplemental questions is not sufficient.
Compensation Philosophy:
The City of Ames has a compensation philosophy for our merit salary ranges that provides growth for employees as they gain experience and expertise in their roles. The minimum pay of each range is intended to reflect an employee's qualifications that meet the position's minimum requirements. The median of any range is for an employee who can reasonably meet all expectations of the position responsibilities without initial or extensive training. The City may consider a candidate's education, experience, and skills that are above the minimum requirements when considering a salary closer to the median. The median salary for this position is $80,788.55.
Benefits
Our comprehensive benefits package can be viewed at: City of Ames Benefits
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: The PSLF Program is a federal program that is intended to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their federal student loans. To qualify, the individual must have made 120 qualifying payments while employed by a qualifying employer. For more information, please visit:
PSLF Program
Examples of Essential Job Functions
- Develops, implements and maintains volunteer position descriptions
- Develops and implements a volunteer orientation program, evaluation process, and recognition procedures.
- Maintains volunteer documents and records in accordance with Library/City of Ames Record Retention Policy.
- Works closely with APL staff to assess workflow needs and integrates volunteers as appropriate
- Works closely with APL staff on volunteer placement and determining the level of skills required for volunteer positions.
- Develops and implements a promotional plan for volunteer services
- Recruits volunteers as needed
- Develops and maintains working relationships with members of the general public, civic groups, community agencies, schools, organizations and classes at ISU, juvenile and adult court systems.
- Coaches, mentors, and supports learning and development Library staff relating to the volunteer program
- Recommends changes to policies and procedures related to the volunteer program
- Develops and maintains volunteers schedules where appropriate
- Directly supervises general volunteers, volunteer groups, circulation volunteers, Literary Grounds volunteers, and book sale volunteers
- Supervises youth volunteer program coordinator
- Assist in coordination special events and programs that utilize volunteer help
- Develops publications related to volunteer program policies, procedures and promotions
- Participates in long range strategic planning
- Serves as a member of the person-in-charge (PIC) team that works to create a welcoming, safe environment by ensuring building safety and security and interprets policies and procedures for the staff and public
- Serves 25% of work time as lead worker in the Circulation department
- Administers court referred community service volunteer program
- Serves as book sale liaison with the Ames Public Library Friends Foundation Board
Each employee is expected to continually strive to bring shared values to life through our Excellence Through People organizational culture. ETP values include: committing to continuous improvement; inspiring creativity and innovation; being customer driven; making data-driven decisions; committing to diversity, equity and inclusion; championing employee involvement; striving for excellence; having fiscal stewardship; acting with honesty and integrity; exhibiting leadership; choosing a positive attitude; respecting one another; promoting safety and wellness; and cultivating teamwork. For leaders, this includes creating a work culture that brings these values to life. For all employees, this includes maintaining a Total City Perspective. The purpose of ETP is to deliver exceptional services to the public at the best price, and for employees to experience an enjoyable and stimulating work environment.
Qualifications
Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills: This position requires knowledge of the principles and practice of volunteer program management and library service to people of all ages and diverse backgrounds. This position requires the ability to demonstrate the following:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Dedication to providing excellent customer service
- Excellent interpersonal skills, a professional presence and the ability to communicate and conduct business in a professional manner
- Excellent organizational skills, strong attention to detail, and commitment to a high degree of accuracy
- Ability to handle challenging situations and people
- Ability to develop effective working relationships in the library, City of Ames, community and profession
- The ability to be flexible in a changing environment as well as the ability to work with a sense of urgency, tact, and a sense of humor
- The ability to work effectively both independently and in a team environment
- The ability to speak effectively when addressing individuals, as well as small and large groups
- The knowledge of volunteer/employee recruitment and retention principles
- The ability to supervise and train volunteers including organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work
- A strong commitment to intellectual freedom
- The ability to utilize effective public relations techniques to promote the volunteer program
- The ability to keep abreast of current trends and emerging technologies, issues, and research in the field of volunteer program management
- Proficiency with standard software applications and equipment
- The ability to participate in professional organizations and continuing education opportunities to strengthen skills, interact with fellow professionals and contribute to the profession
- The ability to exhibit strong collaborative leadership skills and a commitment to the principles and practice of continuous improvement
Supplemental Information
Examples of Equipment Used on the Job: Computer hardware such as computers, monitors, keyboards, servers, barcode scanners, self-check units, cash register, and printers. Computer software commonly used on PCs, networks, and for library services. General office equipment such as writing utensils, telephone, photocopier, fax machine and various hand tools. Reading materials such as correspondence, books, manuals, periodicals, and websites.
PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Required Physical Activities: Climbing, stooping, reaching, standing, walking, lifting, finger dexterity, grasping, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.
Physical Characteristics of Work: Requires sitting approximately 50% of the time, standing approximately 30% of the time, walking approximately 20% of the time. Requires frequent lifting of objects weighting under 20 pounds, and occasionally lifting of objects from 20 to over 50 pounds.
Vision Requirements: The minimum standard for use with those whose work deals with reading and the use of a computer terminal.
Environmental Conditions: Worker is subject to inside environmental conditions and noise.
Selection Process:
The selection process consists of an evaluation of education and experience; phone interview; on-site interview, which will include a manager meeting; and completion of reference checks and a criminal background check, which includes a sex offender registry check. All candidates will be notified by email of their application status.
Depending on the number of qualified candidates, the City may forego phone interviews.
E-Verify Process:
The City of Ames participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered a position with the City of Ames must complete Section 1 of Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity on their first day of employment. Please be prepared to provide required documents on your first day of employment. For additional information regarding acceptable documents for this purpose, please contact Human Resources at 515-239-5199 or go to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services web page at: http://www.uscis.gov.
NOTE: Applicants with disabilities may submit requests for ADA testing or interview accommodations to the Human Resources Department prior to the test or interview.
The City of Ames is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against. Inquiries can be directed to the Human Resources Department at 515-239-5199.
