Director of Volunteers and Education

LIONS TIGERS & BEARS•Alpine, CA

4d•$75,000 - $80,000•Onsite

About The Position

Lions Tigers & Bears is a federally and state-licensed nonprofit sanctuary dedicated to providing a haven for rescued exotic animals and educating the public about the dangers of the exotic animal trade. Located on a 93-acre ranch in Alpine, California, the organization provides lifetime care for lions, tigers, bears, and other rescued animals that have been abandoned, abused, or confiscated from illegal situations. Founded in 2002, Lions Tigers & Bears has grown into a nationally recognized sanctuary and advocacy organization working to end the exploitation and private ownership of exotic animals. Through responsible rescue, high-quality animal care, community education, and legislative advocacy, the organization seeks to create a world where wild animals live free from abuse and exploitation. Lions Tigers & Bears operates as a mission-driven organization with a passionate team committed to animal welfare, public education, and donor stewardship. The organization’s fundraising efforts are essential to sustaining animal care operations, sanctuary expansion, educational programs, and advocacy initiatives. The Director of Volunteers & Education is responsible for leading and managing the Lions Tigers & Bears volunteer program, which includes more than 100 active volunteers who support daily sanctuary operations, events, educational programs, and community outreach. This role oversees volunteer recruitment, onboarding, training, scheduling, and engagement while ensuring that volunteer activities align with the organization’s mission and operational needs. Reporting to the Director of Marketing and working collaboratively with the Founder, the Director of Volunteers & Education works closely with staff across departments to ensure volunteers are effectively integrated into sanctuary operations. The role also oversees the organization’s internship program, supports educational visits, and assists with staffing volunteers for fundraising and outreach events. This is a full-time, onsite position (Tuesday-Saturday) based at the Lions Tigers & Bears sanctuary in Alpine, California. The role requires strong organizational and leadership skills, a passion for volunteer engagement, and the ability to cultivate a welcoming and mission-driven volunteer culture.

Requirements

3+ years of prior experience managing or coordinating volunteer programs preferred
Experience overseeing or working with large volunteer groups (100+ volunteers) is strongly preferred
Bachelor’s degree preferred
Experience in nonprofit organizations, community programs, or animal welfare environments is beneficial
Strong organizational and project management skills
Manage, mentor, and motivate one direct report
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and support volunteers
Strong customer service orientation and ability to engage with diverse audiences
Ability to remain calm, professional, and solution-oriented in fast-paced environments
Strong time management and delegation skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and email systems
Experience working with volunteer management databases such as Volgistics/VicNet or similar platforms
Passion for animal welfare and wildlife conservation
Ability to inspire volunteer engagement and commitment to the mission of Lions Tigers & Bears
Career-minded, seeking growth and development within the organization
Positive, enthusiastic, and collaborative team player
Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining organized systems
Ability to work independently while maintaining strong coordination with staff and volunteers
Exemplary work ethic and “can do” attitude
Ability to lift up to 40 pounds
Willingness to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and navigate uneven terrain
Ability to stand, walk, sit, bend, and use hands repetitively as required
Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed for events or volunteer activities

Responsibilities

Manage and develop the organization’s volunteer program, including recruiting, onboarding, training, and scheduling volunteers to support daily sanctuary activities.
Ensure volunteers are well-trained, informed about organizational policies and safety procedures, and prepared to contribute effectively to Lions Tigers & Bears’ operations.
Enhance volunteer engagement by identifying opportunities for growth, education, and leadership within the volunteer community.
Lead volunteer recruitment efforts and oversee the onboarding process for new volunteers, including conducting orientation sessions.
Develop and implement training and educational opportunities for volunteers to expand their skills and take on additional responsibilities.
Maintain consistent communication with volunteers and foster a supportive environment to ensure long-term volunteer retention.
Oversee the organization’s internship program and support educational initiatives hosted at the sanctuary.
Coordinate educational visits and ensure volunteers are prepared to support visitor experiences.
Expand learning opportunities for volunteers and interns while ensuring educational programming reflects the mission and values of Lions Tigers & Bears.
Organize and manage volunteer schedules to ensure operational needs are met each day, including coordinating volunteers for animal care support, sanctuary maintenance, visitor services, and administrative tasks.
Regularly work alongside volunteers to observe operations, ensure duties are performed correctly, and gather feedback.
Plan and staff volunteers for special events, community outreach activities, and donor functions.
Recruit and train volunteers for event roles and ensure appropriate staffing levels for successful event execution.
Assist the private Event Coordinator during events and support fundraising or community outreach initiatives when volunteer participation is required.
Maintain accurate volunteer records within the organization’s volunteer management database, tracking volunteer hours, contact information, and participation/training.
Support volunteer communications through newsletters, email, and social media updates.
Oversee the Volunteer Coordinator Assistant.
Work collaboratively with staff across departments to support volunteer integration into sanctuary activities.
Assist with maintaining the gift shop and event merchandise inventory, including stock management, purchase orders, and preparation of materials for off-site outreach events.