Volunteer Coordinator at City of Palo Alto, CA

About the Department

Join our team and help inspire a curiosity for science at the Junior Museum & Zoo!

The City of Palo Alto’s Community Services Department is excited to announce that the Junior Museum & Zoo is currently recruiting for a Volunteer Coordinator (Arts & Sciences Professional I - H).  This position is responsible for the recruitment, onboarding, training, scheduling and coordination of the museum and zoo's Volunteer Discovery Guides and Special Events Volunteers.

The Junior Museum & Zoo is a beloved local destination that:

• Serves children from birth to age 8 through its science exhibits and live animal displays
• Supports children up to age 11 through school programs and summer camps
• Welcomes 117,000+ visitors annually
• Services 23,000+ science children through family, school and community programs and field trips

Position Duties

• Recruits, orients, schedules, coordinates, and helps train Volunteer Discovery Guides (supporting the visitor experience public floor), Zoo back-of-house volunteers, and volunteers for the Museum's open space classroom--the Baylands Nature Center; and special events volunteers.
• Works with Guest Services, Education, and the Zoo to ensure volunteers receive the appropriate training relevant to their assigned work.
• Maintains training materials and procedural guides for volunteers.
• Tracks and reports volunteer hours to other City of Palo Alto departments.
• Maintains volunteer records through Better Impact, and tracks volunteer skill development.
• Organizes volunteer appreciation and recognition events.
• Participates in volunteer-related events and activities as needed and requested.

Minimum Qualifications

Ideal Qualifications:

• High school diploma required; Bachelor’s or AA degree preferred.
• Experience working with volunteers and public agencies

Special Requirements

• TB Testing; weekend and weekday work.
• Ability to successfully pass a background check.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends as required.
• Ability to demonstrate written and verbal public communications skills.
• Ability to work with a diverse group of people ranging from high school youths to senior citizens.
• Demonstrated leadership, organizational and follow-through skills.
• Demonstrate flexibility in a rapidly changing environment.
• Demonstrated excellent inter-personal skills.
• Ability to maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities, which may include standing or sitting for extended periods of time and operating assigned equipment.
• Ability to assimilate and understand information, in a manner consistent with the essential job functions.
• Ability to make sound decisions in a manner consistent with the essential job functions.

Other Qualifications

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements

This position will work in a variety of settings; interact with a wide range of people; must be able to lift 25 pounds; and may sit or stand for prolonged periods of time. 

Application Process

• Complete an online application with cover letter and resume attached.

The Selection Process

• Applicants will receive recruitment status notifications via email (governmentjobs.com account also has notification status updates).
• The screening process for this position will include a virtual interview followed by an in-person interview.      

Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov's Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday.  

The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.