Community Inclusion Coordinator

Great Lakes Aquarium•Duluth, MN

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Volunteer and Inclusion Coordinator works directly with the staff and volunteers who provide guest interactions and experiences on the exhibit floor, and directly with guests interested in volunteering or accommodations. The Volunteer and Inclusion Coordinator is responsible for all aspects of the Aquarium’s volunteer program. This person is responsible for recruiting, training, supporting and retaining Aquarium volunteers. This includes creating and maintaining interpretive stations, providing information to potential volunteers, and scheduling volunteer shifts. The volunteer coordinator collaborates with other departments on assessing and fulfilling the need for a volunteer, placing, training and evaluating volunteers. Volunteers supervised by this position include exhibit floor interpretation, high school job experience placements, service groups, mascots, community outreach and other positions as needed. Inclusion coordination includes consistent effort to ensure our guests and volunteers are accommodated as best to GLA’s ability. This also includes collaborating with staff on inclusion and accommodation efforts. The role requires flexibility to support all learning and engagement staff as needed in providing guest experiences, and excellent organization to manage 250+ volunteers and outreach events. Public speaking, learning and teaching, and working with all ages are requirements of the role.

Requirements

Must be able to communicate effectively in noisy, crowded conditions.
Must be comfortable with public speaking and willing to use a wireless microphone.
Must be able to approach visitors and engage them in conversation.
Must be able to do light cleaning.
Must be able to work safely around animals and their habitats.
Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.
Experience working in an interpretive setting (through an internship or employment).
Experience working with volunteers at a non-profit organization is preferred.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of local flora and fauna
CPR and First Aid certifications

Responsibilities

Actively recruit volunteers through outreach and building relationships with community agencies.
Collaborate with Aquarium department heads to identify volunteer needs and opportunities.
Provide leadership and guidance to staff who work with volunteers.
Support and enhance communication between staff and volunteers.
Contribute to a positive and engaging atmosphere for volunteers in which they feel supported and appreciated.
Collaborate with Dive Safety Officer and Events Team to plan and implement annual volunteer appreciation party for all exhibit, and SCUBA volunteers.
Seek opportunities to enhance the volunteer program.
Respond to new, unexpected and non-routine requests in a timely manner (ex. Volunteer related questions in person and by phone or email.)
Maintain and update volunteer stations information and materials.
Develop new volunteer stations as appropriate (as exhibits and animals change).
Prepare annual budget requests for volunteer program supplies and operation.
Seek external engagement opportunities within the community for volunteers and GLA mascots.
Recruit volunteers to support GLA events (Scarium, Otter Birthday, etc.)
Maintain accurate volunteer records and databases.
Seek professional development opportunities for volunteers.
Know all volunteer station materials to train all new volunteers, and offer feedback on how to best present materials and interact with the public.
Learn current accommodations including tactile tours.
Build and maintain contacts for potential requested accommodations such as ASL interpretation.
Stay up to date on JEDI trends and resources.
Keep supervisor informed of any ideas or ways to improve existing equipment or supplies.
Assist Exhibit team with evaluation and data collection for exhibit projects.
Occasionally facilitate overnight experiences for groups of youth and their chaperones (i.e. scout troops, school groups, etc.)
Attend weekly departmental meetings.
Complete any other related tasks as assigned by the supervisor and/or Director of Learning and Engagement.
Optional: Event support shifts.
Learn proper animal handling procedures and gain skills to present these animals in front of the public.
Deliver high-quality interpretation to the public through formal programming, exhibit feeding, and spontaneous animal encounters.
Guide positive interactions between visitors and touch pool animals and provide engaging interpretation.
Set up and close touch pools and/or information desk for the day only when engagement staffing assistance is required.