Volunteer Manager (VM)

DEFTEC Corporation•New London, CT

19h

About The Position

The Volunteer Manager is responsible for building and sustaining the museum's volunteer program. The role ensures that volunteers are prepared, appropriately placed, and valued as part of the broader museum community. Responsibilities include recruiting for Government-approved positions, interviewing candidates and coordinating required vetting information under Government procedures, and conducting orientations on the museum's history, mission, visitor services, and emergency safety protocols. Final access and suitability determinations remain with the Government. The Volunteer Manager matches volunteers' skills and interests with operational needs, manages shift calendars to support coverage during peak hours and events, and maintains accurate records of volunteer hours and contributions. The role also advocates for volunteers and integrates them into the wider staff culture; organizes appreciation events, luncheons, and milestone awards; and produces newsletters, web updates, and notifications for the volunteer network. The selected candidate must obtain and clear a Tier 1/NACI background clearance at hire.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in human resources, social sciences, communications, or museum studies.
Two to four years of experience in volunteer management, community outreach, or program coordination; preferably in a nonprofit or cultural setting.
Obtain and successfully clear a Tier 1/NACI background clearance at hire.
Knowledge of recruitment strategies for diverse volunteer demographics, from students to retirees.
Experience developing educational modules to train non-experts to interact with the public or assist with collections.
Proficiency with volunteer management tracking databases.
Clear understanding of the legal distinctions between volunteer and employee labor laws.

Nice To Haves

Certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA) credential.
Comfort delivering presentations, leading large orientations, and representing the museum externally.
Diplomatic interpersonal skills to manage diverse personalities and handle performance issues within a volunteer pool.
Ability to tailor communication approaches across generational groups.
Ability to create non-monetary incentives and appreciation events to drive volunteer retention.

Responsibilities

Recruit volunteers for Government-approved roles, including gallery docents, museum ambassadors, educational assistants, and administrative support.
Interview candidates and collect or submit required volunteer-vetting information in accordance with Government procedures; final access and suitability determinations remain with the Government.
Train volunteers in the museum's history, mission, visitor services, and emergency safety protocols.
Match volunteers' skills and interests with museum operational needs.
Manage volunteer shift calendars to ensure coverage during peak hours and events.
Maintain accurate databases of volunteer hours and contributions.
Advocate for volunteers and integrate them into the broader staff culture.
Organize annual volunteer appreciation events, luncheons, and milestone awards.
Produce newsletters, web updates, and notifications to keep the volunteer network informed.