Job Description

Join our team and help connect people with wildlife and inspire conservation action!  

The Reid Park Zoological Society seeks an experienced and dynamic  Volunteer Services Supervisor  to lead our passionate volunteer team in delivering high-impact educational programs that focus on animal, conservation, and environmental education. This role also leverages volunteer talent to support critical Zoo operations and Zoo events. The role is vital to ensuring our guests have meaningful educational experiences and high satisfaction when visiting the Zoo, while supporting the Zoo's mission to save wildlife and wild places. 

Reports to:  Human Resources Manager

Minimum Requirements: 

• Five years of progressive experience in Human Resources, Volunteer Management, Non-Profit Management, Business Administration, or Project Management in a directly related field
• Minimum of three years’ experience within a non-profit environment
• Minimum of three years supervisory experience required
• Demonstrated passion for wildlife conservation and the educational role of volunteers and volunteer management
• Strong organizational, communication, and excellent interpersonal skills, with a focus on guest relations and the ability to build and maintain positive, collaborative relationships across diverse groups
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays, and evenings for special events

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Non-Profit Management, Business Administration, or a related science (conservation, zoology, biology, animal science, etc.) is strongly preferred
• Additional years of supervisory experience strongly preferred

Supervision and Mentorship:  Provides direct supervision, mentoring, and support to Volunteer Coordinator staff, volunteers, interns, and youth volunteer program participants, fostering a positive, inclusive environment. The Supervisor will directly supervise two  Volunteer Coordinators .

About Reid Park Zoological Society:  Reid Park Zoological Society’s mission is to connect people with animals, inspiring the protection of wild animals and wild places. Be a part of a vibrant, growing organization as Reid Park Zoo continues to support local and global conservation and the highest standards in animal care while providing educational opportunities and family fun. 

With a mission centered on conservation, the Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and participates in over 50 Species Survival Plans for threatened and endangered species. Reid Park Zoo cares for over 200 exotic animal species from around the world and maintains a state-of-the-art elephant program. Its cutting-edge veterinary clinic serves as a teaching hospital for the University of Arizona veterinary program. It is a leader in the Monarch and Songbird Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) programs. With more than 600,000 visits annually, the Zoo is in the midst of an exciting expansion project, Pathway to Asia , that will add four acres to its campus, bringing new species such as red panda, Komodo dragon, and Lar gibbons, as well as a breeding facility for critically endangered Malayan tigers when it opens in 2026.

No phone calls or visits, please. This position is open until filled. We are an Equal Opportunities Employer. We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff by creating an inclusive environment .

Pay Range : $46,196.80 to $54,281.24 annually (salary/exempt), depending on experience

Benefits : This is a fully benefited position, including group medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; paid holiday, vacation, and sick time; retirement plan; zoo membership; employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement, and discounts on concession and gift shop purchases.

Key Responsibilities:

General Duties

• Demonstrate and model the core values of RPZS
• Perform duties in accordance with RPZS policies and procedures
• Provide excellent customer and guest service, both internally and externally, as a component of all job duties
• Follow Zoo safety protocols and procedures

Volunteer Recruitment and Orientation

• Develop and implement outreach strategies to attract diverse volunteers and promote volunteer services and programs within the community
• Oversee volunteer recruitment, onboarding, engagement, retention, matching volunteers to roles, scheduling, and tracking hours
• In collaboration with Volunteer Coordinators, conduct orientations for new volunteers, providing essential information about the zoo, its mission, and volunteer roles

Training and Development

• Design and deliver training programs that equip volunteers with the necessary skills and knowledge to be effective mission ambassadors and perform their duties effectively
• Support and direct the Volunteer Coordinators to ensure volunteers have the necessary talent, qualifications, skills, and/or training to support Zoo operations and Events effectively 
• Support and direct the Volunteer Coordinators to ensure continuous training and application of the Zoo's customer and guest experience expectations across volunteer and intern groups
• Assess training needs and provide ongoing education opportunities for volunteers to enhance their experience, engagement, effectiveness, and alignment with the Zoo's mission, standards, and cultural expectations

Supervision and Support:  The supervisor will partner and work in close collaboration with the Human Resources Manager to: 

• Ensure the Zoo’s commitment to attracting and retaining a diverse staff and volunteer team by creating an inclusive, welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong
• Align Volunteer Services staff and volunteer initiatives with organizational policies, culture, and values; streamline recruitment processes, and maintain volunteer records
• Assist in the development and management of the volunteer budget, ensuring efficient use of resources
• Provide regular quantitative and qualitative metrics and department updates to the HR Manager
• Ensure health and safety training, and incident report completion
• Ensure company and department compliance, such as volunteer background checks and compliance training
• Mentor and develop staff to promote their professional growth and skills
• Complete 90-day reviews for new hires and jointly create a work plan with goals for the year
• Deliver annual performance reviews for direct reports and collaborate with them to align on work plan goals for the coming year
• Provide regular training and development, support, guidance, and timely performance feedback to staff and volunteers
• Make recommendations for promotion and status changes as appropriate
• Participate in employee/volunteer relations concerns, conflicts, or performance issues
• Oversee daily volunteer activities and supervise volunteer coordinators, ensuring that volunteers are effectively supported and recognized for their contributions
• Actively build and maintain positive relationships and collaborate with other departments to anticipate and identify volunteer needs, create volunteer opportunities, and ensure the needs of the departments and community are met effectively
• Act as a primary point of contact for volunteers and coordinators, addressing concerns and facilitating communication between volunteers, coordinators, and staff
• Participate in emergency drills
• Implement strategies to recognize volunteer contributions and cultivate a positive and engaging environment
• Promote an inclusive and equitable workplace by valuing diversity and showing respect for all individuals

Program Evaluation and Improvement

• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of programs, making recommendations for improvements as needed
• Collect feedback from volunteers and staff to continuously enhance the volunteer experience and effectiveness of the Volunteer Services Department

Community Engagement

• Foster partnerships with local schools, organizations, and community groups to create partnerships and promote volunteer opportunities and outreach initiatives
• Plan and coordinate special events that involve volunteers, enhancing community involvement and support for the Zoo
• Provides on-the-ground support, training, and direction to volunteers during events

Other Required Qualifications

• Five years of progressive experience in Human Resources, Volunteer Management, Non-Profit Management, Business Administration, or Project Management in a directly related field
• Minimum of three years’ experience within a non-profit environment
• Minimum of three years supervisory experience required
• Valid, unrestricted driver’s license
• Complete pre-employment background check and drug screen (no THC)
• Proof of current year COVID-19 Booster
• Proof of negative TB test within the immediate past 12 months OR complete pre-hire TB test and annual renewals
• Experience in managing staff and volunteers, strong organizational skills, and ability to lead and motivate teams
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to actively listen, communicate effectively, constructively, and build positive, collaborative relationships across diverse groups, ages, and abilities across all levels of the organization
• Strong ability to collaborate and cooperate with others across the organization
• Ability to identify community needs, plan and develop programs, and use data to evaluate impact
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Non-Profit Management, Business Administration, or a related science (conservation, zoology, biology, animal science, etc.) is strongly preferred
• Additional years of supervisory experience strongly preferred
• Experience with training methodologies and creating engaging training content
• Previous volunteer experience
• Volunteer management, event planning/coordination, fundraising, or grant writing experience
• Experience/proficiency using volunteer management software strongly preferred
• Zoo experience and specifically, experience in an AZA zoo is strongly preferred
• A passion for and knowledge of wildlife conservation and education
• Bilingual (Any language, including ASL)

Working Conditions:

• This position requires regular interaction with animals, staff, and visitors in a zoo environment
• This position requires the ability to work a flexible schedule when needed for events, weekends, and holidays
• The role may involve physical activities, including lifting, walking, and standing for extended periods
• May work outdoors frequently, for long periods and in a variety of weather conditions

Please note that this document is not an exhaustive list. It is intended to give a reasonable idea of what might be required.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of Reid Park Zoological Society to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy on reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Human Resources Department

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