Job Description

Position Title: Senior Program Specialist Volunteer Program

Start Date: September 2018

End date (if applicable): none

Hours per week: 40 hours per week

Summary of Job:

Ecology Action is seeking a full-time Senior Program Specialist to oversee our Volunteer Program. The Senior Program Specialist will lead the recruitment, screening, training, management, and retention activities of Ecology Action volunteer program, which engages approximately 350 volunteers and interns annually. The selected candidate will work with multiple program leads with over-sight for a number of sustainable transportation programs, focusing on encouraging students and workers to use sustainable transportation with a focus on biking, walking, and electric vehicles, as part of their daily routine.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Lead on the overall management of the Volunteer Program; Implement overall vision and goals for Volunteer Program, commensurate with organization's vision; Lead on strategic direction of the program.

Volunteer Recruitment and Placement:

• 
  Recruitment: Ensure sufficient volunteer and intern presence to support organization-wide programs and events; Draft volunteer position descriptions of one-time, on-going, skilled, group and youth volunteer opportunities; Recruit volunteers through timely engagement on the phone, in person, with online tools and at public events; Develop and implement intake and interview protocol for potential volunteers to ensure the best match between the skills, qualifications and interests of the volunteers and the need of programs.
• On-boarding: Enforce Ecology Action's volunteer on-boarding process; Ensure that each volunteer complete program-specific documentation, including the background check.
• Training: Provide orientation/trainings to increase volunteers' understanding of our organization, it's programs and events, role and responsibilities of volunteers; Develop unique trainings specific to programs; Ensure that volunteers are given appropriate training to be successful in their positions; Host regular group and one-on-one volunteer orientations.
• Volunteer Placement: Coordinate volunteer placements with program leads to ensure a mutually positive experience; Assist as necessary with conflict resolution and communication among staff and volunteers according to established Ecology Action company procedures.

• Communications: Work with marketing to develop specific branding, messaging and communication channels specific to volunteer recruitment and retention including developing and web-based portal exclusive to volunteers.

Best Volunteer Management Practices:

• Ecology Action Standards: Implement best volunteer management practices by working with program leads across the organization to recruit volunteers; Maintain and improve standards for volunteering within EA programs and events; Develop and implement strategies, plans and programs necessary to attract, motivate, develop, reward, and retain the best people to meet the organizations goas and objectives; Attend regular staff meetings and meet regularly with the different program leads who manage each respective program.
• Databases and Reports: Maintain our volunteer programs database to maintain accuracy and privacy of all volunteer records; Produce engagement reports demonstrating volunteer contribution to the organizations mission and strategic plan; Maintain updated records on all volunteers; Respond to inbound volunteer and intern inquiry requests and maintain current volunteer recruitment listings across multiple platforms; Create and edit volunteer outreach emails and postings for recruitment of new and lapsed volunteers.

• Evaluation: Develop and conduct ongoing evaluation of volunteer opportunities, inviting feedback from both volunteers and staff; share feedback with staff to acknowledge strengths and successes; make improvements for future volunteer activities.
• Fundraising: partner with the Director of Fund Development and Philanthropy and program leads to author grants and secure funding to support the Volunteer Program.

Program Engagement:

• Strategic Direction: Partner with executive management and team leads to prioritize strategic program evolutions and then lead the team to implement those.

• Staff Training: Manage 1 full time AmeriCorps member supporting the Volunteer Program; Help provide ongoing professional development for the organizations program staff that work with volunteers to align staff with a strategic plan for sustainability, foster team spirit, increase skills in all aspect of volunteer management to enhance the volunteer experience at all levels of the organization.
• Appreciation: Lead on event management, in collaboration with program leads and fundraising staff to plan formal and informal volunteer appreciation activities and events to recognize the contribution of volunteers and further engage them in the work of the agency.

Community Engagement:

• 
  Engagement: Communicate and engage with staff and volunteers from schools, programs and organizations within the scope of our programs and events; Consistently attend volunteer and organization fairs to broaden our outreach.
• Promotion: Work with Marketing Department to develop volunteer marketing and outreach materials on the internet, social and print media, and all other relevant outlets which support the theme of our programs.

Required Qualifications, Skills, & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education/experience
• 4+ years of experience in a volunteer-based community organization
• 2+ years of volunteer management and coordination experience
• 2+ years of event coordination and management experience
• Proven track record writing and winning grant proposals
• A deep knowledge of best practices in volunteer management, recruitment, and

retention

• Prior experience leading trainings to volunteers and/or staff
• Strong interpersonal, relationship building, and facilitation skills especially in working with volunteers/interns
• Strong planning, organizing, and project management skills, including project budgets
• Demonstrated sound supervisory and program management skills
• Excellent written, verbal communication
• A history of and high level of comfort leading presentations to large groups
• Ability to monitor and report on data, meet deadlines, and monitor progress
• Positive, solutions-oriented attitude and desire to achieve results for the program goals
• Strong judge of character in matching volunteers with suitable placements
• Capacity to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Ability to work effectively both autonomously and in cross-cultural situations
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Power Point, Outlook)

• Valid driver license, proof of minimum required insurance and reliable transportation.

Desired Qualifications:

• Bilingual in English and Spanish
• Experience with online databases a plus, specifically Salesforce

• 4+ years of volunteer management and coordination experience

• Experience designing and implementing training programs
• Passion for promoting a clean environment and alternative transportation
• Prior personal experience as a volunteer
• Candidates who travel by sustainable transportation on a frequent basis are preferred

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, talk and hear, and use a computer keyboard and monitor. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment: The work environment is primarily an office setting.

Compensation: Ecology Action offers a competitive salary and a generous benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision and flexible spending benefits; a 401k-retirement plan with a 4% match; and group life insurance. Occasional driving of an insured personal vehicle on company business may be required and mileage reimbursement is provided at the Federal rate.

More About Us

Ecology Action is an award-winning non-profit consultancy that provides innovative solutions to the energy, water, and transportation challenges of cities, governments, and utilities across California. We have four decades of experience helping people make simple yet profound changes that have big environmental impact. We believe that when individuals and businesses make simple changes in their behavior they drive large scale changes that benefit people and the planet. This translates into reduced carbon emissions, stronger businesses, healthier communities and a sustainable future for all. Together, we help people, businesses and communities act now.

Ecology Action believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to our success and should not be limited by the assigned responsibilities. This position description outlines primary duties, qualifications, and job scope, but is not intended to be a comprehensive description of job responsibilities. We expect each employee to offer his/her services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of our endeavors.

Ecology Action is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity in its workforce. Candidates for this position must be legally authorized to work directly as an employee for any employer in the United States without visa sponsorship.

Ecology Action does not offer a company paid relocation program.