What are the responsibilities and job description for the Volunteer Manager position at Ohio Wildlife Center?
Summary
The Volunteer Manager is responsible for daily volunteer programs, training, and coordination with the staff of the Center. This person works with the Executive Director on human and animal safety, volunteer management, training, recruitment, and conflict resolution for all volunteer-related matters. The position requires a steady presence, five days/week with some weekends and holidays. The volunteer manager works in conjunction with the broader OWC staff on volunteer scheduling, facility cleanliness, and daily activities within the hospital, PRF, and administrative offices.
Major Functions and Responsibilities
Volunteer Facilitation
- Coordinating with department leads to recruit, onboard, and train new volunteers.
- Manages volunteer logistics.
- First-phase training for new volunteers.
- Coordinating ongoing training and education with department leadership.
- Facilitate volunteer engagement through volunteer tracking systems and phone calls.
- Create and maintain a positive environment for volunteers through appreciation, consistent messages, and advocacy.
- Maintains records of volunteer involvement and retention and actively works to increase both.
- Tracks volunteers and summarizes service hours for all volunteer groups.
- Maintains and regularly updates volunteer training manual and orientation materials.
- Responsible for updating InfoLine and other training manuals and materials.
- Conducts regular drop-in visits to volunteers in different shifts across the organization.
- Collaborates with department directors and a diverse team of volunteers.
Hospital Collaboration
- Manages customer service admissions team.
- Partners with the Hospital Director and Manager to keep volunteers up to date on training for animal handling, permit requirements, interacting compassionately with the public, phone calls and InfoLine training, and more.
- Trains admissions team and public-facing volunteers in customer service and solicitation of financial donations.
- Ensures good communication with animal care team.
- Oversees Infoline operations.
- Provides administrative point of contact for Hospital.
Homecare/Off-site Care Coordination
- Co-point of contact with Hospital staff for off-site animal care.
- Maintain awareness of available homecare space and work within set guidelines to ensure transfers do not exceed humane capacity for care.
- Assists in coordinating prison and sub-permit transfers (routine training and evaluation visits).
- Coordinates releases with Patient Care and Operations Support Manager, Vet Tech Team and Hospital Veterinarian
- Conducts regular inspections of homecare volunteer facilities in partnership with hospital leadership.
Education Support
- Partners with Education leadership to create and provide regular training for education volunteers.
- Serves as the administrative contact for education volunteers.
- Ensures good communication between education staff and volunteers.
Necessary Knowledge and Experience
Proven ability to build teams by communicating effective goals
Excellent listening skills
Demonstrated experience in motivating teams in day-to-day operations
Excellent organizational skills
Experience in public speaking and presenting to diverse audiences
Clear background check and valid Ohio motor vehicle operators license and good driving record
Working Conditions and Physical Requirements
The following physical requirements must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Employee is regularly required to use steps, stand on their feet for four hours at a time, balance, stoop, grasp, speak and kneel.
Lift and/or move 15 pounds and sit at a desk while using a keyboard. The employee is also frequently asked to drive a vehicle. Regular exposure to animal dander, fur, feathers, and debris. Employee is occasionally required to climb and lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and drive their own car to and from work destinations.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Ohio Wildlife Center is a 501c3 nonprofit that operates the state’s largest, donation-supported wildlife hospital with on-site veterinary care. We serve the local community and state in wildlife rescues and rehabilitation. The Center receives no operational funds from any local, state, or federal government tax funding. We rely on charitable donations to support our work. The center has over 150 dedicated volunteers supporting its important mission.