Supervisor of Youth Volunteers

Job Purpose: Volunteers play a critical role at Zoo Atlanta by contributing their time and skills to all departments and supporting the mission of the Zoo. Under the direction of the Director of Volunteer Programs, this position will be responsible for the oversight of the youth volunteer programs at Zoo Atlanta. The Supervisor of Youth Volunteers must develop and promote youth volunteers' learning and gaining leadership skills in conservation through volunteer service. This position will work directly with other Zoo departments to identify volunteer opportunities and support these teams as they work with youth volunteers ages 8 - 17.

• The Supervisor of Youth Volunteers will oversee the Volunteen Program, Zoo Atlanta’s volunteer service program for ages 14 - 17, as well as the Zoo’s Family Volunteer Program for ages 8 – 13 with a parent/guardian, and volunteer opportunities for youth with disabilities.
• All three programs will be expanding, with the goal of developing youth in the field of conservation.
• This position will be primarily responsible for developing and executing program changes.
• The ideal candidate for this position will have an interest and knowledge of conservation and the desire to inspire and teach young people to become leaders.
• This role requires strong organizational skills and a basic understanding of human resource management due to the volume of paperwork and policy oversight.
• A passion for conservation and Zoo Atlanta’s mission is essential to this role.
• This individual is an active member of the education team, responsible for supporting the Volunteer Team and representing education on necessary cross-departmental teams.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Supervise and implement all aspects of the Volunteen Program, Family Volunteer Program, and Program for Volunteers with disabilities
• Recruit, select, train, place and evaluate program participants
• Develop program plans with goals and objectives for program participants and evaluate programs on a regular basis.
• Conduct bi-annual assessments of Volunteens to measure growth
• Coordinate and create volunteer service needs
• Conduct and facilitate training of staff to effectively work with and evaluate youth
• Design and conduct orientation for program participants, annual trainings (Kulture City, Zoonosis, EPM, etc.), and assign specific trainings
• Maintain Volgistics volunteer management database and volunteer files (Background Checks, Motor vehicle reports, TB tests reports, policy and handbook acknowledgement forms, etc.)
• Maintain Google Classroom trainings
• Plan, coordinate, and execute quarterly and end of the year appreciation parties and social functions throughout the year
• Work closely with the Supervisor of Adult Volunteers to ensure integration with adult volunteer programming
• Assist with marketing and recruitment of program participants, including annual webpage edits, recruitment at community events and program preview events
• Foster relationships with Community organizations to broaden Zoo Atlanta’s scope and access within metro Atlanta
• Maintain all volunteer communications for respective programs, including but not limited to Weekly Update emails
• Communicate Zoo Atlanta Policies to program participants including participants’ parents/guardians to ensure adherence to policies
• Oversee all program logistics including, but not limited to contacting program participants, monitoring daily schedules and service hours, preparing quarterly and annual reports
• Address questions, concerns, and disciplinary incidents as they arise
• Work with service area staff to ensure all program participants are adequately trained, supervised and recognized
• Maintain all programmatic materials, including uniforms, training materials, and associated items as part of the volunteer habitat
• Attend and support Zoo events that utilize youth volunteers which may fall on occasional evenings and weekends
• Purchase and prepare program materials and supplies while maintaining budget
• Manage budgets in collaboration with the Director of Volunteer Programs

Other Duties:

• Represent the Education Department on various Zoo-wide teams.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities and willingness to work collaboratively on a team.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written).
• Must be willing to support Zoo Atlanta’s Vision, Mission and Values statement
• Any other miscellaneous projects/tasks assigned by Zoo Atlanta’s Education management team

Qualifications:

• Volunteer experience and knowledge of general volunteer services
• Proven three (3) years of experience in working with adolescents
• Minimum of one (2) year experience in training and managing volunteers
• Very strong organizational and long-term planning skills
• Must possess excellent communication and writing skills
• Must possess strong leadership capabilities and the ability to motivate and encourage others
• Strong awareness and appreciation of diversity
• Must be comfortable interacting with the public and the ability to be sensitive and considerate to all people
• Ability to be an effective team member and leader
• Must be able to exercise good judgement and discretion at all times
• Multi-task oriented and must be comfortable working in a fast-paced work environment
• Demonstrated public speaking and presentation skills
• Interact with a high level of professionalism and be diplomatic in your approach to others
• Ability to interface professionally with all levels of volunteers, employees and guests
• Bilingual in conversational Spanish preferred
• Computer skills including Microsoft Office, Outlook, Google and database management (Volgistics)
• Should possess an appreciation of wildlife, environmental education and agree with the philosophy and the mission of Zoo Atlanta
• Flexible schedule as weekend, holiday, and evening work are required
• Zoo Atlanta is open to the public 363 days out of the year, therefore, all positions at Zoo Atlanta may require employees to work some weekends, holidays and evenings

Driving Requirements:

• This position may require occasional driving.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Education: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Biology, Zoology, Interpretation, Environmental Education, Volunteer Management or related fields.

Work Environment: 

• This position will spend approximately 50% outdoors and 50% indoors. 
• Must be able to sit, stand and walk for extended lengths of time. 
• Must be able to lift and carry 20 pounds. 
• Must be willing to work outdoors in all weather conditions.

MISC:

• This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive.
• Therefore, the employee may be required to perform other reasonably related duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor or other management.
• The company reserves the right to revise or change job duties as business requirements dictate. It is mutually agreed that this job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.
• Zoo Atlanta is an EOE and provides a Smoke-free and Drug-free Work Environment

Perks

• Health insurance,
• dental and vision coverage,
• 403(b) retirement plan,
• PTO and more.