Volunteer Training Coordinator
IRVINE RANCH CONSERVANCY
Irvine Ranch Conservancy (IRC) restores, protects, and enhances our closest connection to nature – our local wildlands. As an innovator in the management of Southern California’s urban wildlands, IRC works in partnership with landowners, community leaders, and residents in Orange County and beyond to engage, educate, and foster a shared vision for responsible, long-term care and protection of the natural resources we all share.
THE PROGRAM AREA
IRC’s volunteer management and administration cultivates the human resources — volunteers — who make it possible for IRC to care for our natural resources and engage the public. IRC trains, outfits, and cares for volunteers through activities that cultivate their passions and build a stronger, more engaged community to protect and preserve the land.
THE POSITION
The Volunteer Training Coordinator implements and oversees the development and delivery of volunteer training and educational projects and activities within the Volunteer program and is responsible for coordinating program team members, volunteers, and resources to deliver outstanding results on IRC’s projects and commitments.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Train volunteers and staff to deliver highly-desirable interpretive, recreational, and stewardship public activities. Train staff, volunteers, and partners to train other volunteers. Ensure quality standards. Participate in other areas of volunteer management and administration, such as mentoring and recognition of volunteers. Work is performed independently under general direction of the program manager. Will perform tasks across multiple projects or programs. May coordinate the work of others, including leading teams of other employees or volunteers. Work with others, both in the organization and external, as necessary. Other duties as assigned. Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Leadership
Coordination
Program Development
COMPETENCIES
Knowledge and Experience
Skills and Abilities
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
CLASSIFICATION
SUPERVISION
WORK ENVIRONMENT
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Irvine Ranch Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, genetic information, disability unrelated to job or admission requirements, or veteran status.
Irvine Ranch Conservancy (IRC) restores, protects, and enhances our closest connection to nature – our local wildlands. As an innovator in the management of Southern California’s urban wildlands, IRC works in partnership with landowners, community leaders, and residents in Orange County and beyond to engage, educate, and foster a shared vision for responsible, long-term care and protection of the natural resources we all share.
THE PROGRAM AREA
IRC’s volunteer management and administration cultivates the human resources — volunteers — who make it possible for IRC to care for our natural resources and engage the public. IRC trains, outfits, and cares for volunteers through activities that cultivate their passions and build a stronger, more engaged community to protect and preserve the land.
THE POSITION
The Volunteer Training Coordinator implements and oversees the development and delivery of volunteer training and educational projects and activities within the Volunteer program and is responsible for coordinating program team members, volunteers, and resources to deliver outstanding results on IRC’s projects and commitments.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Train volunteers and staff to deliver highly-desirable interpretive, recreational, and stewardship public activities. Train staff, volunteers, and partners to train other volunteers. Ensure quality standards. Participate in other areas of volunteer management and administration, such as mentoring and recognition of volunteers. Work is performed independently under general direction of the program manager. Will perform tasks across multiple projects or programs. May coordinate the work of others, including leading teams of other employees or volunteers. Work with others, both in the organization and external, as necessary. Other duties as assigned. Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Leadership
- Develop, plan, and implement a variety of trainings for volunteers, staff, and partners, including objectives, outlines, lesson plans, and other materials as needed.
- Represent IRC and its policies to volunteers and team members. Represent partner policies where appropriate.
- Provide overall orientation and training in specific skills to volunteers and other team members.
- Participate in team meetings and communicate key information to volunteers and other team members.
- Effectively maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including local and state agencies, decision makers, academics, and partner conservation and community organizations.
- Develop, facilitate, and contribute to communications products such as reports, publications, presentations, articles, tours, and meetings.
- Participate in professional development opportunities such as relevant conferences, workshops, etc.
Coordination
- Contribute to the development of annual work plans and budgets.
- Plan, schedule, and coordinate activities in accordance with established timelines and goals.
- Coordinate with clients, partners, and other stakeholders.
- Coordinate with contractors.
- Coordinate with team members in other areas of the organization.
- Coordinate the acquisition and use of resources (vehicles, equipment, supplies, etc.)
- Ensure quality of work being implemented.
Program Development
- Contribute to the development of systems, processes, and techniques aimed at improving outcomes.
- Lead or participate in special projects and on operational teams based on connection to position as well as additional skills and strengths.
COMPETENCIES
Knowledge and Experience
- Experience working and communicating successfully with diverse groups, and identifying volunteer strengths and encouraging development.
- Experience planning, developing, and implementing adult training and education programs on a variety of topics through a variety of training methods including multi-media, web-based, distance education, hands-on application, and/or other related methods.
- Experience leading co-workers, volunteers, and/or the public on specific tasks and activities.
- Experience coordinating and implementing projects with established timelines and deliverables.
- Experience with Microsoft Office 365, particularly working in the SharePoint environment, and project management software.
- Experience with environmental interpretation and/or science communication preferred, but not required.
- Strong familiarity with the local environment preferred, but not required.
Skills and Abilities
- Partner/Client focus
- Collaboration skills
- Project management skills
- Communication proficiency, both verbal and written
- Learning orientation
- Teamwork orientation
- Make sound decisions based on established guidelines/policies
- Identify problems and propose solutions
- Work in and ensure a safety-aware environment
- Time management
- Thoroughness
- Ethical conduct
- Personal effectiveness/credibility
- Initiative
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- High school diploma required. Bachelor’s degree in environmental education and interpretation, social sciences, communications, recreation studies, or similar preferred.
- National Association for Interpretation (NAI) Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) status or willing to obtain required; Certified Interpretive Trainer (CIT) status or willing to obtain preferred.
- Four (4) years of experience in a related field developing and implementing volunteer training. Candidates with a bachelor’s degree: Three (3) years of experience.
CLASSIFICATION
- Regular, Full Time (40 hours per week), Non-Exempt (Hourly) (FLSA)
- Occasional evening or weekend work may be required
SUPERVISION
- Reports to: Volunteer Program Manager
- Supervises: n/a
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Primarily office-based with an outdoor component. Occasional work outdoors in all weather conditions, including heat, direct sun, wind, rain, and cold.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Work in a seated position 90% of the time, while operating office equipment such as computers and printers.
- Work involves hiking on and off-trail, up and down hills, through uneven terrain.
- Ability to occasionally lift and move objects up to 25 pounds.
Irvine Ranch Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, genetic information, disability unrelated to job or admission requirements, or veteran status.