Volunteer Coordinator

Volunteer Coordinator

Days End Farm Horse Rescue is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to ensure the quality care and treatment of horses through intervention, education, and outreach. DEFHR is nationally recognized for its transparency, sound financial management, effective administration, innovative educational programming, and excellence in equine rehabilitative care.

DEFHR is seeking a dedicated Volunteer Coordinator to manage and maintain the volunteer program, playing a key role in supporting daily operations through effective volunteer engagement. The ideal candidate will have a passion for inspiring and educating others, a background in equine handling, and experience working collaboratively in a team environment.

This position requires a self-motivated, enthusiastic, and community-driven individual with strong task prioritization and time management skills. A positive attitude, team-oriented mindset, and a deep commitment to animal welfare and DEFHR’s mission are essential. An ability to approach requests from a place of “yes,” and a passion for advocating on behalf of our volunteers is equally important and highly valued.

Purpose of Position:

To recruit, support, manage and inspire volunteers who help advance DEFHR’s mission through direct service, education, and community involvement — ensuring their donation of time and experience is safe, productive, and aligned with the needs of the organization.

Core Responsibilities:

· Oversee the volunteer orientation process.

· Assist in ensuring volunteers are adequately trained on horse handling and management to enable the overall safety and well-being of all volunteers, interns, staff and animals.

· Communicate organizational updates and volunteer needs through email, phone calls, social media, and a monthly Volunteer Newsletters.

· Manage the scheduling and coordination of volunteers to provide adequate coverage of all needs of the organization.

· Communicate with volunteer groups, schedule accordingly, and manage while onsite to ensure completion of assigned tasks and an overall positive experience while at DEFHR.

· Provide ongoing oversight and support for volunteers to ensure a positive productive experience; address concerns, mediate conflicts, encourage long-term involvement, and maintain high morale and engagement.

· Build and nurture strong, positive relationships with volunteers, staff, and the community, ensuring effective communication and fostering a collaborative environment.

· Oversee the volunteer mentor program.

· Assist in the execution of a volunteer appreciation plan.

· Monitor volunteer satisfaction through formal and informal methods, such as volunteer surveys, personal feedback, emails, etc.

· Provide reports as requested, ensuring data integrity in all reporting.

· Oversee the upkeep and accuracy of the volunteer database.

· Support volunteer hour reporting needs for Student Service Learning (SSL) and internships.

· Assist with special events to include recruiting, leadership and recognition.

· Support and help train staff in the effective management and training of volunteers.

· Recruit, engage and schedule a team of education volunteers to support educational programs, and step in as needed when volunteer coverage is insufficient.

· Act as a liaison for education-related visiting group experiences and programs — assisting in managing sign-ups, coordinating schedules and activities, and handling all related administrative tasks and communications.

· Serve as an advocate for volunteers, ensuring their needs are heard and addressed while fostering a supportive and inclusive environment that enhances their experience and engagement with DEFHR.

General Responsibilities

· Assist with and attend all major DEFHR fundraising, outreach and promotional events as needed, including annual signature events and tradeshows.

· Lead both scheduled and drop-in tours of the facility to the public, ensuring a welcoming experience while effectively communicating DEFHR’s mission, programs, and equine welfare efforts.

· Represent DEFHR, its staff and the horses in a professional manner at all times.

· Act as a brand steward, upholding brand and trademark standards and consistency in all projects.

· Ensure the safety of staff, volunteers, animals, and public.

· Other duties as assigned.

Philanthropy, Culture & Advocacy (standard across all employees)

· Employ a philanthropic mindset leveraging the organization’s values and practices to nurture development and fundraising within DEFHR.

· Exemplify compassion and empathy towards the animals in our care and the situations they came from.

· Encourage a welcoming and mission-passionate environment.

· Support positive morale so that staff/visitors/donors/volunteers are satisfied with our work and ensure organizational loyalty.

· Take initiative and employ a team mentality in support of all departments and ranks of the organization.

· Represent DEFHR in a professional manner at all times.

Qualifications/training required:

· Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience preferred. A background in education, non-profit and/or animal welfare is highly regarded.

· Basic equine handling skills and general understanding of horse behavior and psychology.

· Must be professional and willing to sign a confidentiality agreement.

· Demonstrate strong interpersonal and soft skills.

· Confident communicator.

· High degree of problem-solving abilities.

· Superior project, time and organizational management skills.

· Flexibility with changes in task and priorities along with using sound judgment.

· Able to multitask and manage multiple projects while meeting deadlines.

· Wide degree of creativity and attention to detail.

· Self-motivated, self-starter, and team player with a positive and professional approach to management.

· Experienced with MS Office.

· Demonstrates strong work ethic and moral standards.

· Desire to learn and grow professionally in the field of non-profit animal welfare.

· Commit to working set office hours, 5 days a week (some weekends with an adjusted schedule.)

· Passion for DEFHR’s mission and making a difference.

· Compassion for animals and people.

Time Required:

Full Time – Minimum 40-hours weekly, 8 am-5pm with one hour for lunch. Four weekdays and one weekend day required. Horse impoundments/critical care cases can arrive at any time and may require extended work hours for a period of time. Setting up, planning, and/or working during special events (minimum of 3 times/year), minimum 1 Saturday per month required (additional weekends may be necessary with an adjusted schedule).

Training Required:

Training programs that apply to position or enhance job performance are available upon approval, and some may be required.

Hired By:

Equine Programs Director

Managed By:

Equine Programs Director

Scope of Authority:

Supervision of volunteers, supportive role with seasonal educational staff.

Working Relationships:

Organization Leadership, DEFHR staff, service providers, and volunteers.

Available Resources:

All items required for appropriate maintenance and support of the role

Salary:

Annual salary is based on experience and qualifications with benefits.

Employment with Days End Farm Horse Rescue is based on mutual consent, both the employee and Days End Farm Horse Rescue have the right to terminate employment at will, with our without cause, at any time.

Starting Wage:

$38,000 and review after first 90 days

Benefits Package:

As stated in personnel policies, individual health and dental insurance, 401k savings plan, paid vacation and sick leave per the current employee handbook.

Evaluations:

First 90 days and annually thereafter by the Equine Programs Director as necessary. Evaluation is based on performance of job responsibilities, availability, adherence to policy, behavior pattern, creativity, dependability, independence, initiative, interpersonal relationships, knowledge of job, productivity, and quality and quantity of work accomplished.

Employee Manual:

February 2022 – Employee Handbook

To Inquire About Position

Send resume and cover letter to programs@defhr.org

References:

Upon request

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $38,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Application Question(s):

• How many years of non-profit experience do you have?
• Are you experienced in MS Office?
• How many years of volunteer management do you have?

Experience:

• horse handling: 1 year (Required)
• education: 2 years (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Woodbine, MD 21797 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Woodbine, MD 21797: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $38,000