Volunteer Coordinator/Teacher Naturalist
Location: Pickering Creek Audubon Center
Immediate Supervisor:
Division/Department:

The Volunteer Coordinator/Teacher Naturalist will engage citizens of all ages in conservation through restoration projects, education at the Center and ownership of the Center's mission.  The Coordinator will fine tune our existing program and then take it to the next level, increasing both the number of volunteers involved at Pickering as well as the quality of experiences we offer to those volunteers. Growth of the program will be focused around having volunteers participate in educating students who visit Pickering as well as designing and implementing volunteer driven restoration projects.  The Coordinator will also work with volunteers on the many aspects of the Center's day to day operations.

• Maintain and enhance innovative watershed curricula for high school students
• Assist with program budgets and funding development
• Work with local school systems and education organizations to maximize Pickering Creek Audubon Center's exposure to a diverse audience
• Execute and improve Pickering Creek’s long term volunteer program 
• Implement volunteer recruitment plan and screening process
• Conduct training programs for new recruits
• Establish volunteer goals for each Pickering Creek program
• Work with Pickering Creek staff and board to identify areas where volunteers can have the greatest impact on improving the Bay’s health through education
• Ensure a system is in place to retain the maximum number of volunteers
• Produce volunteer retention and progress reports to measure progress
• Conduct volunteer outreach, presentations and recruitment to community organizations, corporations, schools, faith-based groups, senior and volunteer centers
• Act as volunteer newsletter editor
• Ensure that volunteer program achieves excellent press coverage
• Work with Director and Development staff to secure funding for program
• Organize and manage Harvest Hoedown Committee
• Organize welcome/orientation and end of the year appreciation events
• Maintain volunteer database, including potential volunteer pools
• Update and maintain Internet recruitment resources

Housing in Audubon facilities is a requirement of this position with specific responsibilities.  The Center is open to visitors from dawn to dusk every day, while the office is open weekdays 9-5 and Saturdays 9-5 during warm weather months.  This schedule facilitates a need for a presence at the property to monitor any unusual activities or emergency situations. The Volunteer Coordinator/Teacher Naturalist focuses attention on the Main House and waterfront area.

• Monitor activities on the property, report suspicious activity to either the Director or the County Sheriff.
• Remind lingering evening visitors at the waterfront that we close at dusk.
• Provide security across 400 acres of Center and along 1.2 miles of lane as well as over a mile of waterfront.
• Report any waterfowl poaching activities to management and/or DNR Police.
• Address visitor emergencies during daylight hours when the office is closed.
• Bring any major maintenance emergencies to the attention of the director or directly contact contractor.
• Rakes leaves in yard during fall, keep leaves away from building foundation year round. Remove limbs from yard.
• Report weather/entrance lane conditions and downed trees to management/education director for the purpose of deciding to cancel programs.
• Ensure that Audubon vehicles in parking lot are locked at end of day, make sure main office is locked.
• Ensure heat is on for live animals in ecology classroom. Report outages to Suburban Propane.
• Attend to the general maintenance of the cottage:
• Ensure there are no plumbing leaks.
• Inspect basement weekly and after storms for water.  Pump water out as needed.
• Powerwash cottage exterior annually.
• Maintain smoke detectors.
• Make building improvements as determined annually.

Employee housing is to be maintained in a neat and clean condition at all times.

• Write newsletter articles

Knowledgeable, hardworking person dedicated to education and the environment.  Must have three years experience with either a conservation organization or other non profit.  Experience with volunteer management is optimal.  Proven abilities in motivating individuals and groups to work in conservation is necessary.  Proven skills teaching in formal and informal settings to a variety of audiences desired.  Familiarity with grant writing and other forms of fundraising helpful.  Ability to work and collaborate with people of varying backgrounds.  Excellent leadership, written and oral communication skills a necessity.

The National Audubon Society's mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the Earth's biological diversity.

Audubon promotes a diverse workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the National Audubon Society to employ the man or woman best qualified for the job regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability (handicap) or marital status.