Volunteer and Intern Program Manager

Save the Sound, Inc.•New Haven, CT

26d•$60,000 - $68,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Volunteer and Intern Program Manager is responsible for recruiting, managing, training, and appreciating volunteers, and for creating a centralized, consistent experience for interns across the organization in support of Save the Sound's mission and goals. This position will create a Long Island Sound regional strategy for volunteer and intern engagement, including cultivating and maintaining relationships with key partners, through outreach to neighbors, community-based organizations, civic and religious groups, local universities, and corporations. This new position at Save the Sound has been created to generate new, meaningful, perennial opportunities for residents of the Long Island Sound region to work alongside our staff to ensure a thriving and resilient Sound, systems of feeder rivers, and open space for all life in the watershed. We are looking for a relationship-oriented individual who can develop impactful experiences for our volunteers and interns – both those we know and those we have yet to meet – with a goal of increasing experiential opportunities for underserved and underrepresented communities. This work is a critical part of achieving our strategic goal of engaging one million voices in support of protecting the Long Island Sound Watershed and those who call it home. The Volunteer and Intern Program Manager will report to the Membership & Engagement Manager. There is a preference for this position to be based in our Larchmont, New York office. Travel for staff interaction, events and projects throughout Connecticut, Westchester County, NYC and the North Shore of Long Island is required, sometimes during evenings and weekends.

Requirements

2+ years of experience with direct responsibility for management of programs, events, experiences, and/or volunteers
Ability to motivate and inspire individuals toward a shared, time-limited goal
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, including ease at making phone calls to volunteers and partners
Strong attention to detail and organizational skills, with a proven ability to balance competing demands and meet deadlines
Experience and comfort with speaking in public and promoting events to the media
Applicants must be a licensed driver with access to a car

Nice To Haves

Proven track record of recruiting, training, and leading volunteers
Proficiency in volunteer management software (Raiser’s Edge and Luminate preferred)
Understanding of marketing and promotional strategies
Previous experience working with and effectively utilizing data from a sophisticated customer-relationship management (CRM) system
Ability to develop and execute against a strategy
Knowledge of volunteer management best practices and trends
Experience writing grant applications or engaging in individual fundraising

Responsibilities

Experience Curation: In consultation with staff and leaders from Save the Sound’s programs, create and curate high-quality experiences for volunteers and interns.
Experience Consistency: Consult with managers to develop organizational standards for internship structure and propose ways of creating a high-quality internship experience that is unique to Save the Sound.
Recruitment and Screening: Attract, recruit, and screen potential volunteers, ensuring they are a good fit for the organization.
Training and Orientation: Provide comprehensive training and orientation for new volunteers and interns, including an introduction to the organization and their roles.
Volunteer Retention and Appreciation: Implement strategies to retain volunteers, recognize their contributions, and ensure they feel valued. Organize volunteer thank-you events and a series of multichannel recognition/gratitude communications.
Feedback Loops: Develop feedback loops with volunteers and interns to obtain a meaningful view of their perceived value of the experiences they have through/with Save the Sound.
Intern Community: Conceptualize and launch an alumni network that includes Save the Sound interns and previous volunteers, including board and council members.
Coordination: Respond to inquiries and connect volunteers to existing projects and opportunities based on skills and interests.
Best Practices: Research and implement best practices for volunteer management.
Volunteer Opportunities: Oversee existing volunteer opportunities, including Save the Sound’s cleanup program. In consultation with staff, oversee additional volunteer opportunities driven by program area priorities and needs.
Scheduling and Management: Create and manage volunteer schedules, ensuring coverage for events and regular activities.
Data Management: Centralize, collect and analyze data related to volunteers, including hours, demographics, and engagement.
Volunteer Support: Serve as the primary contact for volunteers, addressing questions, concerns, and providing ongoing support.
Communication: Maintain clear and continual communication with volunteers, including updates and appreciation efforts. Work with Engagement and Communications teams to share stories about volunteer impact.
Partnerships: Lead the cultivation of new partnerships to deepen the mutual impact of existing volunteer programs and generate broader awareness of opportunities to engage with Save the Sound through volunteerism and internships.
Strategic Direction: Lead the development and execution of a regional strategy for volunteer and intern engagement.
Staff Management: Provide support and guidance for 1-3 direct reports working on the Save the Sound’s cleanup program.
Reporting: Create reports on volunteer program performance and activities.
Conflict Resolution: When and if necessary, assist with conflict resolution among volunteers, staff, and other stakeholders.
Budget Management: Manage the volunteer program budget, including expenses related to recruitment, training, and appreciation.
Evaluation and Improvement: Develop metrics and analyze data to evaluate the processes, activities, and outcomes of the volunteer and intern program. Generate recommendations for continuous improvement.