Volunteer Coordinator

Curator of Southwest Memories (DCA #10100273)

Agency: Department of Cultural Affairs

Posting End Date: 08/07/2024

Job ID: 145883

Location: Santa Fe

Salary

$23.07 - $36.91 Hourly

$47,989 - $76,782 Annually

This position is a Pay Band 65

Posting Details

Interviews are anticipated to be conducted within two weeks of closing date.

The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science preserves and interprets the distinctive natural and scientific heritage of our state through our extraordinary collections, research, exhibits and programs designed to ignite a passion for lifelong learning.

Learn more at: www.nmnaturalhistory.org

Why does the job exist?

This position resides at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science (NMMNHS) in Albuquerque, and is responsible for the management of the volunteer and docent programs at the NMMNHS.  

The Volunteer Coordinator position is primarily responsible for enhancing and strengthening educational programming at the museum by day-to-day management of very highly complex docent and volunteer programs instituted to serve a large and diverse audience of all ages.  Duties include coordinating volunteer and docent recruitment, placement, and scheduling; conducting on-going evaluation of docent/volunteer performance; coordinating and/or organizing events such as on-going recognition programs, docent/volunteer educational field trips and other on-going training opportunities, and docent/volunteer meetings.  The position is responsible for managing complex databases; maintaining logistical information on docent hours, etc.; providing comprehensive and on-going communication between the museum staff and docents/volunteers; ensuring safety procedures for volunteers/docents; producing reports as needed with information regarding docent/volunteer program for board/trustee and department meetings, museum reports, legislative data, etc.; and ensuring that volunteer/docent operation manuals are current. 

The position will work closely with education, collections, and visitor services staff to ensure that docents and volunteers are effectively serving within their capacity to deliver the museum's mission.

How does it get done?

Manage the Docent and Volunteer programs at the NM Museum of Natural History and Science.
1. Manage over 500 volunteers and docents including recruitment and training.
2. Manage volunteer scheduling system for implementation of shift scheduling and tracking and reporting. 
3. Communicate bi-monthly with volunteers and docents via email updates and/or newsletters.

Coordinate Volunteer and Docent Recruitment, Training and Placement at the NM Museum of Natural History and Science.
1. Respond to email and phone inquiries of potential volunteers and docents at both sites; Develop and implement recruitment/marketing/advertising strategies for docents, volunteers and service learning volunteers.
2. Coordinate annual training sessions for new docents and volunteers with program specialists.
3. Maintain docent and volunteer handbooks.

Coordinate special events, annual reports, ongoing recognition, and educational field trips for docents and volunteers at the NM Museum of Natural History and Science. 
1. Plan and implement annual appreciation events for docents and volunteers. 
2. Coordinate and implement monthly gatherings for core volunteers. 
3. Write and submit annual reports of volunteer program contributions. 

Serve as the Advocate for Museum Volunteers at the NM Museum of Natural History and Science. 
1. Serve as an active participant at Volunteer Association Board Meetings representing DCA. 
2. Serve as a liaison with other public and private museums statewide and nationally to network and bring ideas and programs the museum.

Who are the customers?

This position serves NM Museum of Natural History and Science volunteers, staff, and the general public.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is enthusiastic, well organized and detail oriented. The ideal candidate also possesses the following:

1) A Bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited university
2) A minimum of two years experience with training and supervising (volunteer management experience is preferred)
3) Excellent verbal and written communication skills
4) Familiarity with data base entry and maintenance
5) Strong leadership skills with the ability to encourage and motivate others
6) Proficiency in Microsoft Office computer programs including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
7) Strong customer service skills
8) Confidence in public speaking ability

Minimum Qualification

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or University and two (2) years of experience in teaching and working with lesson planning and curriculum design. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling six (6) years may substitute for the required education and experience.