Department: Education Job Status: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Reports To: Education and Outreach Manager
Work Schedule: 40 hours per week
Includes Weekends as needed
Effective Date: 2/24/2026
Prepared By: CEO/HR
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Volunteer Coordinator is tasked with managing, coordina ng, and expanding exis ng volunteer programs, working with Educa on, Development, and Communica ons teams. The VC will collect data, assist with evalua ng the volunteer programs for updates and improvements, and work in collaboraton with the Educa on Team interac ng with the public and suppor ng day-to-day operatons for The Elephant Discovery Center.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Volunteer Program
- Oversee and coordinate on-site Sanctuary Volunteer Program(s) e.g. coordinates volunteer dates and participates, reviews, develops, and distributes volunteer orientation packages prior to volunteer arrival, train staff as volunteer day leaders, organizes volunteer assignments, coordinate day-of projects and communications with other departments as needed.
- Manage communications with volunteers and develop and distribute volunteer orientation packages prior and during volunteer day.
- Work with the Education and Elephant Care teams to oversee, create relationships with and expand Group Volunteer programs including alternative spring break programs, corporate volunteer programs, etc.
- Assist with and collaborate on Ele Ambassador program as needed.
- In collaboration with Education Manager, develop and maintain Discovery Center Volunteer program, recruitment, training, and retainment of education focused volunteers in EDC museum.
- Collaborate with Donor Services and Development teams to ensure cultivation and retention of volunteer relations.
- Ongoing evaluation of efficacy of volunteer programs
- Other duties as assigned
Education Discovery Center Support
- Support Education Team with delivery of education programs to individuals and groups, as needed.
- Participate in planning, organizing, and implementing special educational/outreach events as needed.
- Assist in daily Discovery Center operation
o Interacting with the public—offering education, information, and assistance.
o Engage with guests in a helpful patient manner, creating a friendly and inviting atmosphere.
o Open museum and secure space at end of day, as needed.
o Handle merchandise sales as needed.
o Live camera monitoring and labeling - Adapt to latest forms of technology when implementing programming
- Other duties as assigned
Program/Organizational Support
- Deliver education and volunteer-based onboarding to new staff as assigned
- Host guests and give Elephant Sanctuary and Discovery Center tours as needed
- Maintain working knowledge of main campus, elephant habitats with connection to caregivers to support volunteer work projects
- Maintain accurate records
- Maintain an attitude of flexibility and readiness in a team environment.
- Able to adapt to changing technology on a normal basis.
- Keeping EDC, office, and area clean and organized.
- Other duties as assigned.
JOB PREREQUISITES:
- Preferred two-three-year prior work experience in leading volunteer programs, zoo, museum or equivalent setting; experience building volunteer programs is preferred
- Bachelor’s degree in education, non-profit management, wildlife management or similar is preferred
- Public speaking, comfortable with virtual technology, and public relations skills
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Competency with Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Adaptability to latest forms of technology
- Relates to people of all backgrounds and age groups
- Working knowledge of Microsoft computer programs to include Word, Excel, and Outlook
- Experience with a non-profit is a plus
- Must be on-site five days a week in Hohenwald, includes weekends
- Ability to count money/change accurately for gift store purchases
- Bilingual-Spanish is ideal
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Sitting; standing; stooping, bending
- Continuous work on a computer
- Ability to work outside in different weather conditions
- Walking on all types of terrain including uneven and sloping
- Driving in different terrains
- Speaking to groups in person and remotely
- Hearing in person and remotely for online teaching
- Near and far vision
- Must be able to sit / stand for 8 hours.
- Lifting or carrying up to 50lbs
- Gross manipulation
- Reaching overhead, as well as at or above shoulder level