Operations Coordinator

Join us in protecting the Mojave Desert 

Mojave Desert Land Trust (MDLT) is a non-profit organization on a mission to protect the California deserts as a living, interconnected landscape where people and nature thrive together. Our vision for the California desert includes dark night skies, clean air and water, broad views and vistas, and an abundance of native plants and animals. Since 2006, we’ve secured permanent protection for over 125,000 acres. 

We’re seeking an organized, proactive, and service-oriented Operations Coordinator to support the day-to-day operations that keep our mission moving forward. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys variety in their work and finds joy in helping an organization run smoothly, efficiently, and professionally.  

About the role 

Reporting directly to the Operations and Human Resources Director, the Operations Coordinator provides administrative and operational support for MDLT’s day-to-day business functions. This position helps ensure that office operations, facilities, fleet, and related administrative systems are organized, efficient, safe, and well-maintained. The Operations Coordinator is responsible for proactively identifying operational, maintenance, and support needs; coordinating with staff, vendors, and service providers; and helping ensure that work is completed in a timely and effective manner. This position also serves as a key point of contact for reception, general office administration, supply and inventory coordination, mail processing, onboarding support, and a variety of cross-departmental operational needs. Strong organizational skills, initiative, sound judgment, attention to detail, and a collaborative service-oriented approach are essential, as priorities may shift based on the needs of the organization. 

Key Responsibilities 

Administrative, IT, & Human Resources Support  

• Serves as the main point of reception for all in-person visits; greets and welcomes guests and directs them to the appropriate person or department.
• Answers the general MDLT phone line, routes calls, takes messages, and provides information in response to routine questions.
• Works with vendors and suppliers to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery of supplies and materials, such as bottled water delivery and leased copier maintenance.
• Maintains a mail log and distributes incoming mail, including hand delivery or scanning and emailing items to recipients, as needed.
• Processes and deposits incoming cash and checks and maintains deposit records; processes departmental invoices for payment.
• Manages petty cash, including logging all transactions in the petty cash log, maintaining records of transactions and reconciling with the Director of Operations and Human Resources at the beginning of each month.
• Maintains inventory of office supplies and replenishes as needed, including staff and volunteer refreshments in alignment with established budget.
• Monitors facility security by managing camera system and security system vendor and controlling access via the reception desk.
• Prepares, maintains, and organizes MDLT forms, reports, and documents, both print and digital; organizes and maintains digital and paper files.
• Assists with employee onboarding and offboarding, including designing and ordering business cards using existing template, creating nametags, updating copier access, and distributing staff merchandise.
• Maintains and updates the VOIP telephone system, coordinates service and repair as needed, and orients new employees on setup and use.
• Coordinates virtual and in-person meetings and manages meeting invitations as requested.
• Utilizes digital tools like Asana to support workflow tracking and administrative coordination.
• Serves as backup to the Development and Administrative Coordinator by picking up mail from the post office as needed and processing merchandise orders for shipment.

 Facility Operations   

• Monitors and conducts regular inspections of MDLT facilities, grounds, and equipment such as HVAC, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems to ensure safety, and identify maintenance needs, and arrange for repair or service.
• Plans, schedules, and coordinates facility maintenance, installations, repairs, and refurbishments, including securing appropriate vendors or service providers and following work through to completion.
• Coordinates janitorial and housekeeping services of offices, common areas, restrooms, and other; Coordinates periodic deep cleaning or special cleaning services for carpets, floors, windows, appliances, or other facility needs.
• Ensures non-routine housekeeping services are scheduled as needed before and after meetings, events, or other special activities that require additional cleaning or setup support.
• Coordinates trash, recycling, and related facility services needs to help maintain clean and functional workspaces.
• Maintains a reference database of vendors, service providers, parts, and other resources related to facilities support, including electrical, plumbing, roofing, heating, and air conditioning services.
• Coordinates office furniture and equipment moves, replacements, and related setup needs, as necessary.

Fleet Operations  

• Conducts scheduled inspections of MDLT vehicles to identify safety, maintenance, cleanliness, and operational issues.
• Coordinates routine maintenance for MDLT vehicles, such as oil and filter changes, windshield wiper replacement, tire rotations, brake service, ensuring maintenance is in accordance with manufacturer recommendations.
• Coordinates urgent repairs and responds to manufacturer recalls as needed.
• Ensures vehicle registrations and related required documentation renewed in a timely manner.
• Monitors vehicle insurance cards, registration cards, and other required documents to ensure current materials are present in each vehicle.
• Ensures required safety equipment is maintained, stocked, and in good working order in each vehicle.
• Maintains accurate vehicle records related to inspections, maintenance, repairs, registrations, and recalls.
• Reviews vehicle usage reports bi-monthly to monitor mileage, usage patterns, and service needs.
• Communicates with staff to ensure vehicles are returned clean and fueled.

Cross Departmental Support   

• Supports all MDLT departments with a variety of clerical, administrative, and customer service tasks.
• Assists with event coordination, including arranging food and beverages, ordering supplies, setting up audiovisual equipment, and overall set up/tear down and clean up for events and meetings.
• Serves as backup to the Development and Administrative Coordinator by processing merchandise orders and assisting with merchandise inventory coordination and maintenance, as needed.

Required Education/Experience/Qualifications 

Any combination of experience and training that would provide the knowledge and abilities to perform the position is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would include the following: 

Experience: 

• Three or more years of progressively responsible administrative, office coordination, or operations support experience in an office environment.
• Experience coordinating projects, vendors, service providers, or suppliers, is highly desirable.
• Preference will be given to candidates with experience related to facility coordination, vehicle/fleet coordination, office operations, reception, or general administrative support.
• Experience with or an interest in non-profits and/or nature is helpful but not required.

Education and/or Training: 

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• Office-related vocational coursework or an associate’s degree in business administration, office administration or a related field desirable.

Certificates, Licenses, Registration: 

• Mustpossessand maintain in good standing a valid California Class C Driver’s License.

Work Environment/Work Schedule 

This is a regular part-time, in-person position based at MDLT’s office in Joshua Tree, California. The position is generally scheduled for 20 to 25 hours per week, with a preferred schedule of 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with every other Friday off. Occasional evening and weekend work is required to support events and meetings, with flex scheduling provided as needed. 

The role is based primarily in an office environment and includes regular interaction with staff, volunteers, visitors, vendors, and the public. It also involves routine movement around MDLT facilities and occasional local travel for business purposes. 

Compensation & Benefits 

Pay will be based on experience and qualifications, ranging from $21.12 to $22.41 per hour. We also offer a part-time employee benefits package, including:  

• 401(k) retirement savings plan with a generous company match.
• Paid time off, including vacation, and sick time.
• Basic life insurance and long-term disability benefits, at no cost to the employee
• Eligibility for voluntary group benefits such as Pet Wellness, and Legal Aid.

Why work with us?  

At MDLT, we’re a passionate, mission-driven team committed to protecting the desert. We believe that a diverse, inclusive workplace leads to stronger ideas and better outcomes. If you’re looking to make a real impact in conservation and thrive in a collaborative, supportive environment, this is the place for you. 

Our Values 

At MDLT, our work is guided by four shared values: 

• Solve for the Desert – We pursue work that creates tangible, lasting conservation impact.
• Foster Trust – We center people and partnerships and value diverse perspectives and experiences.
• Dig Deep – We meet hard problems with grit, integrity, and determination.
• Seek Joy – We approach our work with curiosity, gratitude, and hope.

Equal Opportunity Employment 

Mojave Desert Land Trust is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building an inclusive workplace that reflects the communities, landscapes, and partners connected to our mission. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and walks of life and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.