Volunteer Coordinator

Who We Are

The Mountaineers is a community of outdoor recreationists and conservationists founded in 1906 to explore the peaks and waterways of the Pacific Northwest. Today, we have 16,000 members and seven branches in Western Washington, where we deliver most of our outdoor education programming. Thanks to the work of generations of volunteers and our internationally recognized publishing division, we continue to enjoy an outstanding reputation in the fields of outdoor education, recreation, and public lands conservation and advocacy.

Our dedicated volunteers and staff get people outside to experience the power of the natural world. We advocate for access and protection of recreational lands so that future generations can enjoy these places too. Our core value of community reflects the belief that a diverse and inclusive outdoors inspires unity, respect, and passion for the places we love. Our 65 staff, divided between our program centers and our nonprofit publishing division, Mountaineers Books, and 3,000+ volunteers work together to achieve our mission to enrich lives by helping people explore, conserve, learn about, and enjoy the lands and waters of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. 

Visit mountaineers.org to learn more.

Position Overview

The Volunteer Coordinator supports The Mountaineers volunteer base of 3,000+ volunteer leaders, instructors, committee members, and branch council members. Reporting to the Associate Director of Programs & Leadership, this position is responsible for the coordination of our org-wide leadership development program and volunteer recognition programs, as well as all related monthly and annual communications. Working closely with a mix of staff, key volunteers, and external partners, the Volunteer Coordinator collaborates to provide high-quality, impactful programming for Mountaineers volunteers.

Success in this role looks like growth in program capacity, high participant satisfaction, high volunteer satisfaction, growth and development of individual volunteers, growth and sustainability of a highly-skilled volunteer base, and implementation of The Mountaineers strategic plan by our volunteer leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Programs: Responsible for the coordination, administration and execution of The Mountaineers robust leadership development and volunteer recognition programs and events.

• Provide strategic administrative and programmatic support to volunteer leadership.
• Schedule, facilitate, and track leadership development programs and events for volunteers.
• Develop and steward relationships with leadership development presenters and content experts.
• Administer volunteer appreciation program by stewarding opportunities, bulk gear order accounts, and appreciation events for volunteers.
• Support Member Services in annual volunteer recognition, benefit, and award programs if needed.
• Facilitate annual summit meetings (meeting of cross-branch activity leadership).
• Provide admin support to Alpine Ambassadors, a program for top climbing volunteers.
• Attend and participate in volunteer and staff led programs, as needed.

Communications: Responsible for the creation and/or curation of scheduled and ongoing Leadership Development communications.

• Write and curate quarterly magazine contributions for Mountaineer magazine, “Outside Insights” column.
• Write content for regular blogs, including program announcements and annual recaps.
• Contribute to ongoing newsletters and volunteer-facing emails.

Desired Qualifications

• High level of organizational skill and enthusiasm for detailed routine tasks that support the success of the team
• Experience in program and/or event planning and coordination.
• Experience in writing a variety of online communications, or a comparable position with demonstrated success in these areas.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects at once and prioritize tasks as needed.
• Experience working directly with volunteers.
• Desire to spend time outdoors and learn new outdoor activities.
• Cultural competency and desire to work with people of all races, ages, genders, abilities and economic backgrounds.
• Ability to pass a national criminal background and sex offender check.

Cultivating an inclusive staff is central to The Mountaineers focus on advancing equity. Our core values are Adventure, Advocacy, Community, Education, and Volunteerism, and we believe a diverse and inclusive environment inspires unity, respect, and passion for our work and one another. We’re interested in hearing from people who can work with colleagues of varied experience and background. The Mountaineers is an equal-opportunity employer, and candidates from all backgrounds are considered, and as an organization that values equity and inclusion, we highly encourage people of color, women, LG/BTQ individuals, and veterans to apply.

Work Environment 

This role is based in Seattle, WA at The Mountaineers program center in Magnuson Park. This is an in-person position with the option to work up to 40% of time remotely.

Physical Demands

• Ability to work and manage a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends as needed. Frequent evening work is expected.
• Ability to travel to meet with branches throughout the Puget Sound region. Must have a valid driver’s license and/or reliable transportation.
• Ability to lift/move 20 pounds regularly and up to 40 pounds occasionally on event days.
• Ability to participate in outdoor activities such as hiking, sea kayaking, skiing, and/or climbing.

Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance, and paid sick, vacation, and holiday time. 401(k) retirement plan available after three months. Additional benefits include:

• Free Mountaineers Family membership
• Opportunities to advance your outdoor skills with $1,000 Mountaineers courses per year
• Two free tickets to most of our Mountaineers events
• Free copy of each newly published Mountaineers Books title
• Access to outdoor industry discounts (prodeals)
• Access to our three ski-in, ski-out mountain lodges, and our four on-site climbing and bouldering walls
• Bring your dog to work days
• Free parking for your bike or car, and an office located right on a bus line, with alternative transportation reimbursement
• In-office shower for midday run, climbing session, or morning commute