Volunteer Coordinator

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Northern Virginia Science Center Foundation, dba Children's Science Center is seeking an energetic, dependable individual who coordinates the volunteer needs of the organization with the community’s and individuals’ interests in supporting science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) activities in a museum setting. This position is responsible for organization and recruitment of volunteers for the Children’s Science Center Lab, education outreach and community programs, marketing, advancement, and other administrative support. Volunteer program objectives include increasing the average hours volunteers serve and volunteer satisfaction as well as overall support for organizational needs.

SPECIFIC JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

The Volunteer Coordinator works with staff and volunteers to ensure that all aspects of volunteer recruitment, screening, training, organization, tracking, and recognition are managed effectively. Responsibilities include:

• Identify and support organization needs by coordinating and communicating with all departments to understand upcoming programs and opportunities, including:
  • Operations teams to coordinate Lab volunteer shifts;
  • Community Programs team to coordinate community event volunteers and track intern hours;
  • Communications department to highlight volunteers and produce collateral needed for volunteer recruitment;
  • Advancement department to coordinate volunteer opportunities and support for corporate partners.
• Respond to volunteer inquiries in a timely manner.
• Process and onboard new volunteers. This includes leading regular in-person orientations for new volunteers.
• Manage and utilize the Galaxy Digital volunteer system including shift creation and usage, promotion of opportunities to the volunteer base, volunteer metrics, and securely update and maintain all volunteer information in accordance with any applicable privacy rules and regulations.
• Ensure all volunteer hours are captured in the volunteer system which entails entering hours, coordinating with team leads, and creating monthly reports and metrics for the department and leadership team.
• Become well-versed about Science Center programs, activities, and exhibits to answer volunteer inquiries.
• Develop and facilitate learning opportunities for volunteers.
• Write regular volunteer blog and newsletter articles.
• Recruit targeted volunteer groups via multiple sources including companies, schools, individuals, corporations, and other organizations.
• Assist with internship recruitment and interview process.
• Support Science Center programming as required.
• Be an ambassador to the public at all times.
• Make safety a priority.
• Other duties as assigned.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s/Associate’s degree or relevant experience required. Relevant education and experience include education, museums, science, and customer service.
• Experience working with volunteer and volunteer management systems or customer relationship management systems.

IDEAL PROFESSIONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, administrative, verbal and written communication skills.
• The ability to engage effectively with children/youth and adults.
• The ability to deal professionally and flexibly with conflicts and fast-developing situations.
• Possess the ability to work independently and as a part of a team.
• Comfortable and up to date with current technology.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• A passionate advocate for hands-on STEM learning, committed to the Center mission and vision.
• An enthusiastic, energetic team member that enjoys working with diverse employees and volunteers and community members.
• Flexibility and a fun-loving attitude.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF JOB

These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions:

Frequently required to:

☒ Speak and hear;

☒ Reach with arms and hands, including to raise arms overhead to move and lift up to thirty-five (35) pounds;

☒ Use hands and digits to manipulate, handle, and feel.

Occasionally required to:

☒ Perform repetitive motions;

Vision abilities required by this job include close vision (close vision at 20 inches or less), distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more), color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors), peripheral vision (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point), depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships), and ability to adjust focus (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus).

WORK ENVIRONMENT OF JOB

While performing the responsibilities of the job, these work environment characteristics are representative of the environment the Volunteer Program Coordinator encounters. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is required to utilize computers and associated technology for long periods of time.The noise level in the work environment is typically moderate.

CONCLUSION

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and it is not intended to be an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with the position. The Northern Virginia Science Center Foundation reserves the right to revise duties as needed. Successful completion of a criminal background check is required. We are committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees pursuant to applicable law. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process, please contact hr@childsci.org.

The Northern Virginia Science Center Foundation participates in E-Verify. We will provide the Social Security Administration, and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. Please note that we do not use this information to pre-screen job applicants.

BENEFITS

• Paid Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage for employee; partial coverage of dependents
• Long Term Disability and Short Term Disability
• 401(K) Retirement Plan with 50% matching of contributions
• Paid Time Off (3 weeks); Paid Holidays (12); Sick Leave
• Professional Development Opportunities and Partial Assistance
• Flexible schedule and remote work opportunities
• Science Center membership with ASTC and ACM reciprocity to hundreds of museums around the US and globe
• Business Casual Dress
• Credit Union Membership