Volunteer Manager

West 4th Strategy•New London, CT

1d•$60,000 - $70,000•Onsite

About The Position

The National Coast Guard Museum (NCGM), an 80,000-square-foot national museum in New London, Connecticut, honors the history and missions of the U.S. Coast Guard and is expected to welcome approximately 300,000 visitors annually. The Volunteer Manager serves as a link between the museum and the community, recruiting, coordinating, training, and retaining volunteers and docents who support daily museum operations. The role manages volunteer schedules, prepares volunteers to share museum history and provide visitor services, trains them on emergency safety protocols, and maintains accurate records of volunteer hours and contributions. This is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week W-2 position. The primary workstation is in an office area with low-to-moderate noise. Candidates must be U.S. citizens and pass a federal background investigation and meet facility and system access requirements. The salary range is $60,000–$70,000, with a benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance options and 401(k) contribution options.

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.
Experience sourcing volunteers from diverse demographics, including students and retirees.
Experience developing educational modules that train nonexperts to interact with the public or assist with collections.
Proficiency with volunteer management tracking databases.
Clear understanding of legal distinctions between volunteer and employee labor laws.
Must be a U.S. citizen.
Must pass a federal background investigation and meet facility and system access requirements.

Nice To Haves

Certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA).
Volunteer management experience in a nonprofit or cultural setting.
Comfort delivering presentations, leading large orientations, and representing the museum externally.
Diplomatic interpersonal skills for managing diverse personalities and addressing performance issues within a volunteer pool.
Ability to tailor communication approaches across generational groups.
Experience creating nonmonetary 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.
Train volunteers in the museum's history, mission, visitor services, and emergency safety protocols.
Match volunteer skills and interests with museum operational needs.
Manage volunteer shift calendars to ensure appropriate coverage during peak hours and events.
Maintain accurate databases of volunteer hours and contributions.
Represent volunteers and integrate them into the broader staff culture.
Organize annual volunteer appreciation events, luncheons, and milestone awards.
Produce regular newsletters, web updates, and notifications to keep the volunteer network informed.