Volunteer Program Manager

At the Birch Aquarium at Scripps, we connect understanding to protecting our ocean planet. As the public outreach center for Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego, we share the spirit of curiosity that drives Scripps’ global research to understand our planet. We engage people in science and invite them to ask questions, explore, and observe to better understand how our world works - Earth, ocean, atmosphere, and life - and our unique role in our global ecosystem. We use science to guide conservation action to support a healthy, thriving planet where we feel hope for the future and are empowered to make positive change. We connect people with each other, with nature, with science, and with a shared sense of purpose to care for our amazing one-and-only planet Earth.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Under direction of the Director of Education, the Volunteer Program Manager's primary responsibilities are to develop, coordinate, implement and assess daily and long-term operation and sustainability of Birch Aquarium’s volunteer resources. Work with approximately 400 volunteers over 170-200 shifts per week to provide volunteer support to Aquarium staff for programmatic-, administrative-, interpretive- and husbandry-based tasks, striving for excellence in guest service, productivity and diversity. Provide direct supervision to 3-5 student employee(s). Responsibilities also include, but are not limited to, implementing and evaluating ongoing recruitment and retention practices; placing volunteers based on Aquarium needs; coordinating and implementing volunteer schedules; assessing and keeping accurate and up to date records; directly and indirectly supervising volunteers in collaboration with other Aquarium staff; updating and maintaining personnel files, databases and reports; managing Contingent Worker appointments in UCPath and verifying volunteer compliance with UC San Diego policies on vaccine compliance and required training; establishing and enforcing Volunteer Resources’ procedures and policies and recommending possible changes to PPM; and administrating Volunteer Resources’ expenses.

Duties also include responsibility for the establishment and maintenance of relationships with local, regional and national organizations and groups to expand and coordinate the Aquarium’s Volunteer Resources Program; the creation of marketing/publicity opportunities in collaboration with Aquarium and Scripps Communications to promote Volunteer Resources and programs; and the generation and submittal of program reports and updates to PPM and Aquarium staff.

As part of a dynamic team, assist with volunteer and staff training, and represent Birch Aquarium Volunteer Resources at professional workshops, conferences and meetings.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Three (3) or more years working as a volunteer coordinator/manager for a non-profit organization.
• BA or BS in education, human resources, biological-psychological sciences, or equivalent education.
• Proven ability to organize and supervise a large group of volunteers with efficiency and success.
• Thorough knowledge of museum educational techniques and approaches, and the ability to apply them across programmatic type(s) and environment(s).
• Thorough knowledge of the learning characteristics of museum audiences.
• Thorough knowledge of budget tracking and analysis strategies.
• Thorough subject area knowledge.
• Thorough knowledge and skills in training development and/or learning strategies, and program and educator assessment.
• Project management experience.
• Ability to make sound judgments/decisions.
• Originality, creativity, and ability to maintain classroom attention.
• Knowledge of emerging educational technologies and their application within museum education programming.
• Working knowledge of promotional and marketing techniques for museum educational programming.
• Strong verbal, interpersonal, presentation, and written communication skills.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Job Offer is contingent upon successful completion of a Background and fingerprint check. required.