Join the Ecology Action Team! We are looking for a highly collaborative, Part-time Volunteer Specialist to help us develop a strong pool of supporters across our service area spanning, primarily, Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito counties. About Ecology Action At Ecology Action, we believe every person counts and every action matters. We've made it our mission to advance equitable community climate solutions and reduce GHG emissions through partnership, education and action. Every action we take today can create the future we want-one where people and planet can thrive together. Join Ecology Action in building a sustainable future where equity, resilience, and innovation are at the core. Together, we can make it happen. About the Role The Volunteer Program Specialist is responsible for leading the recruitment, onboarding, training, coordination, retention and evaluation activities of Ecology Action's Volunteer Program, working with volunteers, interns, service learners and work study students (collectively called "supporters"), which engages approximately 350 supporters annually. What you'll be doing

Recruitment, Onboarding and Compliance:

Drafting position descriptions for volunteers, interns, service learners and work-study students Supporting recruitment through a variety of online and in-person mechanisms, with an emphasis on college recruitment fairs Coordinating required screening and background-check processes in partnership with Human Resources and in accordance with applicable law and Ecology Action policy Developing supporter interview protocols to ensure the best match between the skills, qualifications and interests of the supporters and the needs of our programs Ensuring sufficient supporter presence to accommodate all Community Programs needs Establishing and maintaining mutually beneficial partnerships with stakeholder partners from a variety of programs and organizations throughout our service area Ensuring volunteer and intern programs are administered in compliance with all applicable Ecology Action policies and procedures, as well as relevant local, state, and federal laws and regulations

Training:

Developing and facilitating an orientation process intended to increase supporters' understanding of the organization, individual programs and associated support opportunities Working with teams to provide program-specific trainings catered to each supporter's role that emphasize responsibilities and expectations Ensuring supporters and program teams are appropriately onboarded to all required Volunteer Program systems, processes and workflows Establishing and maintaining clear communication expectations with supporters and program leads, including timely follow-up and documentation of significant issues Pursuing professional development to help ensure the Volunteer Program operates at the forefront of innovation and best practice

Program Administrative Support:

Coordinate supporter placements, including program requirements, learning objectives, supervision plans, hour tracking, check-ins, reporting, and completion records. Managing the supporter request pipeline and providing timely updates to program leads regarding placement status, capacity, and decisions. Facilitating group and individual supporter orientations, training, and ongoing check-ins. Collaborating with departments across Ecology Action, including Human Resources, Marketing, Information Technology, Accounting, Development, and Central Services, to support volunteer program operations. Partnering with the Director of Operations, Marketing, and IT to improve volunteer program workflows and systems, increasing efficiency and reducing manual processes. Developing and implementing supporter outreach and recruitment strategies, including marketing materials and engagement campaigns. Maintaining the Volunteer Program's presence and data integrity within HubSpot and other program systems. Ensuring the accuracy, security, and confidentiality of supporter records in partnership with IT. Supporting program risk management efforts in coordination with the Director of Operations, Human Resources, and Central Services. Fostering a customer service-oriented approach to supporter placements, creating positive experiences for both supporters and program teams. Documenting, managing, and appropriately escalating concerns related to safety, conduct, attendance, communication, or placement issues. Supporting strategic planning, program evaluation, and outcome tracking efforts through data collection and reporting. Coordinating volunteer recognition and appreciation activities in collaboration with the Director of Operations and program leaders. What We're Looking For 2 + years of volunteer recruitment, management and coordination experience, or equivalent Bilingual in English and Spanish (desired) Proven ability to establish, cultivate, and maintain positive, productive partnerships with diverse - including culturally diverse - community stakeholders, fostering collaboration, trust, and mutually beneficial outcomes Demonstrated ability to communicate confidently and effectively with diverse community audiences through public speaking, facilitation, outreach, and educational presentations Demonstrated ability to effectively plan, organize, and manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines in a dynamic environment Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly, professionally, and effectively with volunteers, interns, community partners, and staff/teams Valid driver license, proof of minimum required insurance and reliable transportation Preferred Qualifications Prior personal experience as a volunteer Demonstrated knowledge of volunteer management best practices, including recruitment, onboarding, engagement, compliance, and retention strategies Experience managing volunteers, interns, service learners and work study students Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and experience leveraging project management, CRM, data collection, and reporting tools to support program administration, stakeholder engagement, and organizational effectiveness Positive, solutions-oriented attitude and desire to achieve results for the program goals Passion for promoting a clean environment and alternative transportation Work Environment The physical demands described here represent 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 work environment is primarily an office setting and/or working from home with strong IT and administrative support. Outreach work will be conducted on school grounds, at community events, and with community organizations. This is a part-time position expected to work approximately 20-29 hours per week. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required to support volunteer recruitment activities, trainings, special events, and other organizational initiatives. Ecology Action supports a hybrid work environment, and a dedicated workspace can be made available at the Santa Cruz, Watsonville, or Salinas office, depending on the selected candidate's location. Drop-in workspace is available at all Ecology Action office locations. The position requires intermittent travel throughout Ecology Action's service area, which spans from San Mateo County to King City, including travel to schools, community events, partner organizations, and program sites. A company vehicle may be provided when available; otherwise, approved business mileage will be reimbursed in accordance with current federal reimbursement rates. Are You Ready? Don't meet every single requirement? If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. Join us at Ecology Action and contribute to a sustainable future!