Volunteer Program Coordinator

The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority seeks a Volunteer Program Coordinator to support the planning and delivery of volunteer activities in the Authority’s Community Outreach and Land Steward programs. This role also works to recruit and train new volunteers.

Our mission is to conserve the natural environment, support agriculture, and connect people to nature by protecting open spaces, natural areas, and working farms and ranches for future generations. Since 1993 the Open Space Authority has protected almost 30,000 acres of natural and working lands across the Santa Clara Valley. Our agency manages and conserves a network of open space lands and natural resources, while providing compatible opportunities for hiking, biking, and equestrian uses, with a focus on increasing equity of access to the outdoors for all our constituents.

We know our continued success depends on our employees and the work they do. We are committed to providing a collaborative and inclusive work environment that encourages growth and development; and acknowledges individual and team achievements.

You are a committed and enthusiastic volunteer professional who thoroughly enjoys people and building relationships with the public to inspire their connection to nature through volunteer engagement and service. You come to the Volunteer Program Coordinator role ready to provide logistical and facilitative support for our Land Steward and Community Outreach and other programs. Additionally, you will leverage your capacity to ensure our volunteer recruitment and trainings continue their success.

You are flexible, compassionate and have a supportive attitude, with the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.

This position requires a demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with volunteers, members of the public, and staff from diverse backgrounds and abilities. You are excited to interact with all individuals and engage them in the mission of the Authority. With experience presenting to groups, you will be able to confidently deliver effective training and instructions to volunteer audiences.

You have the confidence to work independently and as a team player and will bring that same confidence to your work as you represent the Authority in the community, at events and through volunteer recruitment efforts. The Authority has a robust pool of dedicated volunteers, as a natural ‘people person’ you will successfully build and maintain relationships with the volunteers to understand what brings them to the Authority and how to create meaningful opportunities for their continued support and engagement.

At your core, you possess excellent organizational skills that allow you to track multiple initiatives and events to ensure that each is successful in achieving its goals. You are process oriented and look to ensure that the Authority’s volunteers consistently have the information they need, when they need it. You will use those skills to plan for assigned volunteer programs and maintain event statistics and databases.

The regular schedule for the Volunteer Program Coordinator is 40 hours per week, Tuesday through Saturday. There may be occasions where a Sunday is required as well, in which case the weekly schedule will flex to accommodate that need. Evenings may be required as well.

• The completion of the twelfth (12th) grade, with college level coursework in natural science, cultural history, or related fields;
• Passion for the Authority’s mission and working with dedicated volunteers;
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint, with the ability to learn new software;
• Excellent customer service and public speaking skills;
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including nights and weekends;
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License by time of appointment;
• This position requires the willingness and ability to work outdoors in rugged terrain, walking over rough, hilly, uneven or unpaved ground and with exposure to natural elements;
• Must possess the ability to lift and carry materials weighing up to 50 pounds;

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This position is…