Engagement & Volunteer Coordinator

The Conservancy’s Engagement and education Department has seen exponential growth in its volunteer, interpretive, and school education programming over the last 5 years. The Lancaster Conservancy is seeking an outgoing individual who is self-motivated, has outstanding organizational, coordination and communication skills, enjoys developing systems, enjoys interacting with the public, and has a passion for the outdoors and teaching to fill the role of Engagement and Volunteer Coordinator.

The Engagement and Volunteer Coordinator will serve as a part-time (25-30 hours per week) employee that coordinates the Conservancy’s engagement and volunteer programs. This includes working some evenings, weekends and holidays. The Engagement and Volunteer Coordinator will develop systems to support and ensure the sustainability of the interpretive and volunteer program and will coordinate between departments. This is primarily an administrative position which may occasionally be called upon to help deliver interpretive, education and volunteer programs.

The Engagement and Volunteer Coordinator will coordinate the Conservancy’s engagement and volunteer programs which includes adding new volunteers to the database as they complete training; growing and organizing the volunteer community; developing and delivering volunteer trainings with the VP of Engagement and Education; defining volunteer work project priorities with the VP of Engagement and Education; developing interpretive events with the VP for Engagement and Education and the Community Impact department, and scheduling those events with Interpretive Rangers.

The Engagement and Volunteer Coordinator will schedule and support volunteers tabling at high visibility preserves, ensure they have all necessary materials, and coordinate tabling at outreach events to include scheduling volunteers to staff them. The Engagement and Volunteer Coordinator will work with the Community Impact Department, the VP of Operations and jobshiringnearme.org, and the VP of Engagement and Education to deploy a volunteer management system. The Engagement and Volunteer Coordinator may periodically lead interpretive events, and may occasionally be called upon to teach k-12 conservation education programs.

Primary Responsibilities:

Engagement and Volunteer Coordination – 75%

• Coordinate the Conservancy’s volunteer program including growing volunteer corps and developing a volunteer leadership program.
• With the Community Impact Department, communicate with volunteers and market the volunteer program to increase participation.
• Deploy a volunteer management system that schedules and tracks volunteer hours in partnership with Community Impact Department, VP of Operations and jobshiringnearme.org, and VP of Engagement and Education.
• Develop, deliver, and modify volunteer trainings with the VP for Engagement and Education.
• Develop and schedule interpretive events and coordinate with Interpretive Rangers to staff them.

Program Delivery – 25%

• Run natural history interpretive programs at Conservancy Preserves.
• Teach jobshiringnearme.org Education programs for K-12 learners.
• Assist jobshiringnearme.org Educator with marketing, scheduling, and coordinating school groups.
• Lead youth and adult volunteer workdays to assist with preserve management through invasive plant removals and trail maintenance using hand tools.
• Represent the Conservancy while tabling at a variety of events.
• Assist Outreach Volunteers.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Report potential hazards and issues (e.g. fallen trees, illegal dumping, etc.) to the VP of Engagement and Education.
• Collect field and visitor data using Lancaster Conservancy provided field technology.
• Research, writing, and implementation of grants in partnership with the Development team and VP of jobshiringnearme.org & Operations.
• Administrative support to VP of Engagement and Education as requested.

Qualifications:

• 2-3 years of experience coordinating volunteers.
• Experience managing and coordinating volunteers using volunteer management systems.
• Experience developing, coordinating and delivering natural history interpretive events.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills; experience working directly with the public is strongly preferred.
• Must have excellent organizational abilities and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Candidates must have a valid PA driver’s license, reliable vehicle, and cell phone.
• Possess strong conservation ethics and passion for the Lancaster Conservancy’s mission.
• Experience educating a variety of age groups, ideally in a non – formal setting.
• Intimate knowledge of the region’s natural history.
• Familiarity with Lancaster Conservancy Preserves is preferred.
• Familiarity with Salesforce is a plus.
• Comfort, knowledge, and ability to work outdoors for long periods of time, even in adverse conditions.
• Ability to perform tasks according to instructions and to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Experience reading and interpreting maps.
• Familiarity with land trusts, parks and recreation, or public lands management.
• Must provide proof of compliance with PA child abuse background checks and criminal background checks (the Conservancy may assist in obtaining these).
• Must be able to move up to 40 pounds, traverse uneven ground up to 3 miles, and work outdoors in exposed conditions.
• CPR and First Aid Certifications are strongly desired.

This is a part time position. The Lancaster Conservancy is headquartered in Lancaster City, PA, where this position is expected to be based. Some night and weekend work is required. Travel throughout Lancaster and York Counties is needed at times for projects and events. The Conservancy will provide branded shirts as the expected uniform when participating in public engagement events.