Volunteer Programs Crew Lead

$23 - $33/Yr

City of Boulder (CO) - Boulder, CO

Full-time

Hybrid - Boulder, CO

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support

About the position

The Temporary Volunteerism and Service Learning Program Specialist works closely with the Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) Volunteer, Service Learning and Partnerships (VSLP), and Education and Outreach (E&O) work groups, as well as the citywide Volunteer Cooperative team. This position helps to safely and effectively recruit, train, coordinate, recognize, and retain volunteers who are in on-going roles and assignments that support OSMP strategic programs and projects. This position is responsible for field and project management, team coordination, staff and volunteer communications, skills development, public speaking, public communications, and administrative and logistical support. This role leads and supports volunteers who work to advance community connection, education and inclusion as part of the OSMP Master Plan. Examples include but are not limited to the leading and supporting volunteers such as wildlife monitors, restoration stewards, unpaid interns, visitor ambassadors, trail ambassadors naturalists, and staff assistant volunteers. This position is a temporary role with a duration of 9 months, beginning in March. A cover letter and resume are required for your application to be considered complete.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate volunteers to ensure opportunities for public involvement to fulfill department vision, mission, and initiatives.
• Leverage volunteers for OSMP departmental priorities.
• Host outreach and recruitment strategies and events (virtual and in-person) to promote OSMP and city-wide volunteer opportunities.
• Create volunteer job descriptions and applications to screen and select volunteers.
• Provide field support, training, and performance feedback to volunteers.
• Facilitate both online and in-person trainings and team development activities for volunteers and staff who support volunteers.
• Responding to internal and external customers in a timely and reliable manner.
• Motivating, developing, and directing volunteers as they work, identifying the best volunteer candidates for the role.
• The ability to notice, interpret, and anticipate others' concerns and feelings, and to communicate this awareness empathetically to others.
• Work effectively as a member and leader of formal and informal teams.
• Openly share successes and challenges to enhance the OSMP Volunteer programs.
• Instruct and mentor volunteers, demonstrating commitment to mentoring others, answering questions, and providing a safe space to learn.
• Identifies what needs to be done and doing it before being asked or before the situation requires it.
• Coordinate equipment, materials, and uniforms for volunteers.
• Work with staff to recognize and celebrate volunteer impact.
• Interacts with the public to increase awareness of park rules and regulations and acts as a community advocate.
• Maintain a city-wide database to organize 2,500+ OSMP volunteers and keep accurate records of all data.
• Train staff and volunteers on the GivePulse database system or other volunteer management systems as needed.
• Records and communicates volunteer impact for monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting.
• Prepares presentations for staff, volunteers and advisory boards as necessary.
• Works closely with staff from 8 to 10 other OSMP and city departments through meetings, TEAMS, calls and emails.
• Presents volunteer data to a variety of groups including internal and external colleagues.
• Speaks and writes to communicate ideas clearly, actively listens and demonstrates an openness to new ideas.
• Builds collaborative relationships and works as a member of the team.
• Takes proper safety precautions to prevent accidents.
• Supports and trains staff on volunteer best management practices.

Requirements

• Experience in customer service.
• Skill, interest and ability to work with volunteers.
• Demonstrated skill in written and oral communication.
• Experience with public speaking.
• Able to work evenings and weekends.
• Must have or be able to obtain valid current First Aid and CPR/AED certifications.
• Acceptable background information, including criminal history.
• Valid driver's license and acceptable motor vehicle record.
• Wear department uniform when interacting with volunteers and the public.

Nice-to-haves

• Skill in volunteer and database management.
• Experience training volunteers using both in person and a virtual platforms.
• One year of experience supervising or supporting volunteers in public contact roles or natural resource management related roles.
• Project management: Familiar with project management variables including time, resources, requirements, and responding to unexpected events.
• Bi-lingual in English/Spanish.
• Problem Solving & Decision Making: ability to recognize needs, assess possible methods to meet needs, and act on solutions.
• Learning strategies: Selecting and using teaching methods appropriate for a situation when learning or teaching new things.
• First Aid and CPR certification.
• Related volunteer or volunteer crew lead experience in a land management setting.
• Bachelor's Degree in natural sciences, resource management, education, public lands, or similar field.

Benefits

• Temporary Type 2 benefit eligibility group.