Volunteer Manager

About Bridges to Community

Bridges to Community is a nonprofit organization working alongside rural communities in the Dominican Republic to create lasting improvements in housing, health, education, and economic opportunity. Our volunteer program brings groups from the United States and other countries to work alongside community members on meaningful service projects while learning about Dominican culture, community development, and global citizenship.

Position Summary

The Volunteer Manager oversees the preparation, coordination, and overall experience of Bridges to Community's volunteer groups before, during, and after their service trips. This includes volunteer communications and applications, trip logistics, accommodations and transportation, project coordination, fundraising support, and volunteer engagement.

The Volunteer Manager also leads and supports Bridges' International Volunteer Coordinators (IVCs), providing training, supervision, coaching, and the systems they need to deliver safe, organized, and meaningful volunteer experiences.

A major focus of the position is developing and strengthening Bridges' service learning program. The Volunteer Manager designs educational content, reflection activities, and experiential learning opportunities that help volunteers better understand community development, Dominican culture, and global citizenship.

The position also includes regular field responsibilities, including visiting project sites, supporting community activities, maintaining welcoming volunteer facilities, and occasionally participating in construction or other service activities alongside volunteer groups.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, proactive, adaptable, and comfortable managing multiple groups and projects at once. They should enjoy working directly with people, take initiative, and be committed to creating meaningful experiences for both volunteers and community partners.

This is a full-time, on-site position based in San Juan de la Maguana, Dominican Republic.

Key Responsibilities

Volunteer Program Management

• Oversee the preparation and coordination of all volunteer groups before, during, and after their service trips.
• Manage volunteer applications, payments, communications, trip calendars, and other administrative processes.
• Coordinate trip logistics including transportation, accommodations, rooming lists, flight information, itineraries, and budgets.
• Communicate regularly with trip organizers, volunteers, and Bridges staff to ensure groups are fully prepared.
• Support the recruitment, onboarding, and retention of volunteer groups.
• Provide fundraising support and resources to volunteer groups as needed.
• Ensure all volunteer trips are organized on time and meet Bridges' quality and program standards.

International Volunteer Coordinator Leadership

• Recruit, onboard, supervise, train, and evaluate International Volunteer Coordinators.
• Provide IVCs with the tools, resources, and guidance needed to successfully lead volunteer groups.
• Train and coach IVCs in volunteer engagement, facilitation, service learning, safety procedures, organizational protocols, and cross-cultural communication.
• Monitor IVC preparation and ensure required trip responsibilities are completed accurately and on schedule.
• Provide ongoing coaching and feedback to strengthen the quality and consistency of volunteer experiences.

Service Learning & Experiential Education

• Design, implement, and continuously improve Bridges' service learning curriculum and experiential learning program.
• Develop educational materials, reflection activities, discussion guides, and other resources for volunteers.
• Facilitate learning experiences that connect volunteer activities to Bridges' mission, community development, Dominican culture, and global citizenship.
• Ensure volunteer groups have meaningful opportunities for reflection, cultural exchange, and learning throughout their trips.
• Evaluate and update educational programming based on participant feedback and organizational priorities.

Field & Volunteer Operations

• Visit volunteer worksites and help ensure projects are properly coordinated and supported.
• Coordinate with Bridges project staff to ensure volunteer activities are prepared and appropriate for each group.
• Ensure volunteer dorms and community facilities are clean, organized, maintained, and welcoming.
• Participate in construction or other community activities with volunteer groups when operationally needed.
• Coordinate transportation and accommodations and address logistical issues that arise during volunteer trips.
• Ensure Bridges' policies, procedures, and safety protocols are consistently followed.
• Manage volunteer program inventory and merchandise.

Administration & Systems

• Maintain accurate volunteer records, trip information, and communications in Salesforce and other organizational systems.
• Track volunteer payments, invoices, budgets, and trip-related expenses.
• Ensure itineraries, budgets, communications, expense reports, and other required documentation are completed accurately and on time.
• Maintain and update the annual volunteer trip calendar.
• Identify opportunities to improve systems, processes, and efficiency within the volunteer program.

Organizational Leadership

• Identify opportunities to strengthen volunteer recruitment, retention, engagement, and overall program quality.
• Develop new resources, processes, and programming that improve the volunteer experience and support Bridges' organizational goals.
• Participate in organizational planning, evaluations, committees, and other initiatives as needed.
• Serve as an International Volunteer Coordinator when operationally necessary, typically one to two groups per year.

Qualifications & Experience

• At least two years of experience leading volunteer, service learning, mission, experiential education, or similar programs involving national or international participants.
• Experience designing, facilitating, or implementing educational curricula, experiential learning activities, group reflections, or service learning programs.
• Experience training, coaching, or supervising staff, facilitators, or volunteers.
• Experience working in community development and/or with rural community partners in a national or international setting.
• Professional fluency in both English and Spanish, including conversation, presentations, written communication, and live interpretation.

Skills & Requirements

• Exceptional organization and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple projects, groups, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Highly self-motivated and proactive, with the ability to identify needs and implement solutions independently.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to design engaging educational experiences and adapt activities for diverse audiences.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and build strong relationships with volunteers, staff, community partners, and trip organizers.
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across all levels of the organization.
• Valid driver's license required.
• Willingness to learn to drive a manual transmission is needed. Training will be provided.

US Candidates

This is a one-year contract from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027, renewable by mutual agreement.

• US $1,300 monthly compensation
• Round-trip airfare to the DR if traveling from the US or Canada
• US $200/month housing allowance
• Medical insurance for the duration of the contract
• Two weeks of vacation
• Severance equivalent to one paycheck per year worked, up to three years

This position does not provide a Dominican work visa and is structured around a 30-day volunteer visa with a 90-day extension. Bridges to Community covers applicable overstay fees once per year.

Dominican Republic Candidates

The Volunteer Manager position is a Professional Services contract with compensation of RD$78,000–RD$92,000 per month, commensurate with experience.

Additional Benefits

Bridges to Community provides a laptop and covers approved work-related transportation when necessary. Approved transportation includes public transportation such as Caribe Tours and Tenguerengue for travel between San Juan and Santo Domingo, unless otherwise approved by the Executive Director or required in an emergency.

High-level written and spoken proficiency in English and Spanish