The Director of Volunteer Services + Education is responsible for the volunteer-based and education programs in Colorado Springs to support HSPPR’s mission, vision, and services; provides effective management to the Volunteer Services and Youth Education teams while ensuring operational goals are created and achieved; recommends and implements appropriate volunteer procedures and guidelines; supports the development of a culture of engagement and relationship building with volunteers; creates a compassionate, committed team within the shelter and a supportive environment; uses strong leadership skills to motivate volunteers and department staff to achieve strategic objectives in a timely manner; actively participates in events to promote volunteer programs and shares important information for prospective volunteers, as well as works to create strong partnerships and maintain positive relations with relevant outside organizations; follow all safety and privacy guidelines to protect sensitive company and volunteer data.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

 

Vision, Strategy, and Leadership

·   Directs all aspects of the Volunteer Services Department in Colorado Springs, including the Shelter Volunteer Program and the Youth Education Program. This also includes the court-ordered community service program.

·   Develops and implements long-term goals and objectives to achieve the successful outcome of the Volunteer Services Programs and to support the strategic direction of the organization. Participates in annual and strategic planning processes, establishes departmental goals, plans, and timelines. Responsible for statistics and goal reporting.

·   Participates as a member of the senior leadership team in setting direction and strategy for the organization.

 

Volunteer Programs

·   Directs and implements strategies for the recruitment of volunteers as well as the development and implementation of volunteer training program curriculum and training calendar.

·   Administers and reviews policies and procedures which guide the Volunteer Services Programs.

·   Establishes and manages a volunteer retention plan, annual volunteer review and quarterly volunteer satisfaction surveys. Monitors trends in volunteer retention, identifying seasonal, departmental and long-term trends in order to ensure timely response to changes, allowing the department to provide more consistent support. Creates avenues for volunteer feedback, including surveys, to increase retention.

 

Youth Education Program

·   Directs the Youth Education program and staff. Responsible for overseeing the Youth Education program if the Youth Education staff are unable.

·   Responsible for providing support and guidance to the program manager.

·   Evaluation of the Youth Education program and if it is meeting organizational goals.

 

Relationships

·   Participates in local, regional, and state level organizations and coalitions for the advancement of educational and other initiatives in the animal welfare and volunteer management fields.

·   Works cohesively with all departments of the organization to ensure operational excellence. Responsible for meeting regularly with department managers to determine volunteer staffing needs, duties, and training. Provides guidance to department managers and shelter staff on volunteer issues or concerns regarding performance. Supports managers in addressing concerns regarding volunteer performance issues, customer service, or interaction with shelter staff.

·   Works to anticipate and resolve conflict and promote open communication between co-workers, management and other departments. Solicits employee input regarding their work and workplace.

 

Safety

·   Manages volunteer risk. Promotes a safe work environment, actively monitors the safety compliance of staff and volunteers takes immediate action to correct hazards.

·   Properly reports, documents and addresses animal behavior issues.

 

Public Relations

·   Represents HSPPR in a professional manner and promotes our mission and goals.

 

Communication

·   Communicates with potential volunteers and current volunteers in a timely manner. Assures regular communication with volunteers through newsletter, emails, meetings, bulletin board(s), and other forms of communication.

·   Documents staff and volunteer complaints. Handles complaints and/or concerns from, or about, volunteers with professionalism and good judgment. Evaluates volunteer performance and addresses issues promptly. Involves Vice President as necessary.

·   Is visible to staff, communicates with Vice President on significant developments within the department.

·   Attends necessary meetings.

·   Communicates pertinent information to staff, managers and directors.

·   Communicates and problem solves with Managers.

 

 

Fiscal Responsibility

Submits department budget requests, operates within the parameters of the established budget.
Maintains control of budgets including approving invoices and preparing financial and/or statistical reports as needed.
Organizational Development

Ensures that policies and procedures are being followed.
Develops new ideas with staff.
Develops and follows timelines for annual plans and projects and is accountable for staff’s decisions and actions.
Supports management and discusses differences privately.

Development

Encourages the use of volunteers, the solicitation of monetary and in-kind donations whenever possible.
Seeks out granting and support opportunities and coordinates with Development department in further efforts towards such opportunities.
Other:

·         Commitment to the mission, values, goals and success of HSPPR.

·         Appropriately documents observed animal behaviors utilizing objective language as required in relevant procedures and/or policies.

·         Perform all other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Duties

Volunteer Program Coordinators and Youth Education Manager

Volunteer

Work cooperatively with all volunteers and recognize the talent and commitment they bring to HSPPR.

Community Relations:

·         Help the community and donors recognize the daily, life-saving work HSPPR does by sending pictures and stories to the Philanthropy team

·         Aid the Philanthropy team with stories and photography opportunities whenever possible.

Safety

Ensure and promote a safe work environment; following all safety guidelines and modeling safe work practices.
Actively monitor the safety compliance of staff and volunteers and report concerns to appropriate managers.
Take immediate action to address any safety concerns and that could put a staff member, volunteer, client, animal, or the organization at risk.

Material and Equipment Directly Used

·         May operate vehicles during routine and emergency operations under varying road, weather and lighting conditions.

Various computers with Windows software such as Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and animal shelter software such as Chameleon.
Various cloud software programs such as LinkedIn Learning and SystemHub.
·         Various office equipment such as faxes, telephones, printers, scanners and copy machines.

Physical Demands

Regularly sits at computer station, often in a shared office environment.
The employee must regularly lift and/or move 25 or more pounds of moving weight and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 or more pounds of moving weight.
May be occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl.
Regularly required to sit, reach with hands and arms, talk, hear, and is frequently required to stand and walk.  May be expected to be on feet for extended periods of time.
Consistently exposed to animals in the workplace and animal allergens under conditions with limited alternatives available.
Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.
Regularly exposed to noise and potential exposure to hazardous weather conditions.
Potential exposure to cleaning supplies and/or other substances containing toxic or caustic chemicals.

Schedule Requirements

Schedule may include weekend and evening work.

Education/Experience Necessary

·   BA/BS preferred; Minimum 5 years of experience in volunteer or shelter management. An equivalent combination of education and work experience will be considered.

·   Advanced management and leadership experience in an animal welfare organization/animal shelter.

·   Proven ability to lead and manage change in teams, departments, and groups.

·   Excellent leadership skills and experience in motivating and developing emerging leaders are necessary. Empathetic and supportive leader.

·   In-depth knowledge of animal welfare industry best practices.

·   Ability to engage in “big picture” thinking, while also carrying out detailed tasks.

·   Experience working with a variety of computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite, spread sheets, databases.

·   Demonstrated success in working with website communications.

·   Strong project management skills, including ability to balance multiple projects, interdisciplinary teams, and complex logistical issues.

·   Sound judgment and ability to exercise complete discretion when dealing with confidential information.

·   Flexibility and adaptability, a strong work ethic and an entrepreneurial spirit to accommodate broad responsibilities and shifting priorities.

·   Able to build trust and rapport to interact at all levels of the organization.

·   Strong communicator – articulates ideas verbally and in writing; offers recommendations and provides guidance that is easy to understand.

·   Able to adjust and flex schedule to the changing needs of the organization and department.

·   Leads others by being a positive example, encouraging and supportive.

 

Salary Range $75,000-$85,000.00/annually