The Community Engagement Coordinator (CEC) position is a full-time, shared staff position between SR3 and Highline College’s Marine Science and Technology (MaST Center).  The position is responsible to help define and implement the linked vision and goals of both SR3 and the MaST Center, while focusing on the development, coordination, expansion, and evaluation of adult and youth volunteer programs, high school and college internships, and citizen science teams.

With over 200 currently active volunteers between the two organizations, the CEC will be responsible for recruitment, training, and logistical support for this amazing community of volunteers.  The CEC is responsible for aligning the volunteer program with the mission, values, and evolving needs of both organizations as we enter an accelerated stage of growth associated with the opening of SR3’s new marine animal hospital and the new partnership between SR3 and Highline College’s MaST Center.

The CEC will work under the supervision of both the Executive Director of SR3 and the Director of the MaST Center. This position will collaborate very closely with the Educational Programs Coordinator to support the training of all volunteers and interns in their work with outreach, and will also work closely with other SR3 and MaST Center staff.

The CEC will typically work 5 days a week, regularly including weekends.  This position involves daily contact with potential and current volunteers.

About the MaST Center and SR3’s partnership:

In March of 2021 a memorandum of understanding was signed between the MaST Center and SR3 to share resources with the goal of increasing the reach and effectiveness of both facilities and meeting their aligned vision and mission of supporting the health of the Salish Sea. This alignment brings together the strengths of both facilities and increases the local and regional impact of both.

Reporting directly to the Executive Director of SR3 and the Director of the MaST Center, this position will:

• Primary Duties:

  • Manage a large, growing community of volunteers and interns to support SR3 and the MaST Center in programmatic, husbandry, and research-related tasks while striving for excellence in public relations and productivity.

  • Lead the daily operations, development, and revision of volunteer programs that emphasize our diverse and multicultural community members with varying ability levels and resources.

  • Is responsible for the complete volunteer cycle which includes recruitment, orientation, interviewing, selection, placement, training, scheduling, performance assessment, recognition, retention, program evaluation, and in some cases, dismissal.

  • Schedule and lead monthly volunteer orientations, including following up with all interested individuals in a timely manner.

  • Assess individual volunteer training needs and arrange appropriate individual and/or group trainings needed for each type of volunteer team.

  • Maintain accurate records on all volunteers, including managing the volunteer database to track activities and hours, reporting volunteer hours on a monthly basis, and calculating volunteer statistics regarding hours worked, tasks, retention rates, etc.

  • Ensure that volunteers are managed in a manner consistent with institutional values and HR policy, collaborating closely with leadership and HR as necessary in this capacity. This includes actively examining volunteer management practices and policies using an equity lens, making changes where needed to continually improve accessibility and inclusion for all audiences.

  • Devise strategies to recognize volunteers on a regular basis and organize volunteer recognition programs including twice-yearly volunteer gatherings.

  • Review volunteer needs from staff to support various areas of operation, including education, exhibits, animal care, special events, development, and marketing/communications.

  • Effectively utilize the SR3 and MaST Center facilities, the City of Des Moines waterfront, including the Redondo neighborhood, the Puget Sound, and the region at large as a way to inspire and connect the public to the Salish Sea.  This will include multiple modalities designed to engage the diverse and multicultural community of South King County and the larger region as a whole.

  • Provide ongoing support and guidance for volunteers, including acting as a single point of contact for communications, conferring with volunteers to resolve grievances and promote cooperation and interest, and ensuring communication between staff and volunteers is effective and frequent.

  • Collaboratively work with the SR3 Executive Director, the MaST Center Director, and other staff at both facilities to enhance the success and mission of both organizations.

• Secondary Duties:

  • Create a working environment that is inclusive, energetic, innovative, and collaborative.

  • Work collaboratively with all staff to create a more diverse and inclusive community for both current and future staff, volunteer audiences, and partners.

  • Establish and enforce volunteer program procedures and policies, and when necessary, recommend changes to supervisors.

  • Research and understand trends in volunteer management and successfully apply them to current and future volunteer programming.

  • Provide volunteer supervision training to staff who work with and/or supervise volunteers.

  • Develop and maintain relationships with other organizations that have a similar mission to SR3 and the MaST Center and/or use volunteers within the region.

  • Continuously update and increase volunteer knowledge of marine animals (especially marine mammals), marine ecology, plankton, oceanography, and current conservation issues within the Salish Sea and the Pacific Ocean.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 3+ years experience of increasing responsibility managing volunteer programs with preference given to leadership experience at a wildlife facility, zoo, aquarium, or other environmentally focused organization

• 2+ years experience in managing staff

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

• A personal commitment to increasing diversity, equity, and accessibility to all prospective, current, and future volunteers

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals of various ethnic, cultural, educational, and socio-economic backgrounds with varying abilities

• Demonstrated ability to work to work with minimal supervision, possess organizational skills, be self-motivated, and communicate effectively orally and in writing

• Strong interpersonal, collaboration, and team-building skills; able to share responsibilities and perform assignments in concert with the team’s efforts

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 5+ years’ experience of increasing responsibility managing volunteer programs with preference given to leadership experience at a wildlife facility, zoo, aquarium, or other environmentally focused organization

• 3+ years experience in managing staff

• Degree or equivalent experience in marine sciences or environment

• Extensive experience in database management and spreadsheet programs, including the ability to run reports and export data

• Demonstrated experience in developing a volunteer program from the ground up

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Must be willing to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.  Weekends will be a normal part of the work schedule.

• Must pass a National Criminal Background Check

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and to work outdoors, on wet and slippery surfaces

• A valid driver’s license with no pending risk of loss and regular access to dependable transportation

SALARY: Commensurate with experience

To Apply:

Submit a cover letter, CV and 3 references to info@sealifer3.org by March 29th, 2021