Senior Volunteer Coordinator

Auckland Council; New Zealand; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 78,000; Part time

Job summary

Auckland Zoo is seeking a Senior Volunteer Coordinator to lead and support the volunteer community, delivering the Zoo’s volunteer programme strategy and day-to-day operations. The role is 32 hours per week, Wednesday to Saturday, with a hands-on leadership approach.

You will recruit, induct, coach volunteers; manage rosters and records; work with volunteer coordinators and teams; ensure visitor experiences are enhanced and safety requirements are met.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s-level qualification in teaching, adult learning, social sciences or related field.
• At least three years’ leadership experience, with ability to work independently.
• Experience coordinating large groups, preferably volunteers, with coaching/mentoring.
• Strong visitor engagement and customer service in a complex environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support Auckland Zoo’s volunteer community and programmes.
• Recruit, induct, train and develop volunteers, coaching where needed.
• Coordinate daily programme delivery: rosters, workloads, records and reporting.
• Coach Volunteer Coordinators, monitor performance and improve the programme.
• Ensure safety and health requirements and emergency procedures are understood.

Skills

People leadership

Customer service

Relationship building

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

Volunteer databases

Education

Bachelor’s-level qualification in teaching, adult learning, social sciences or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Volunteer databases

Job description

Senior Volunteer Coordinator

Salary : $70,000 - 78,000 yearly

Company : Auckland Council

Job Type : Full Time

Location : New Zealand

Job Description - Senior Volunteer Coordinator

• Lead and support Auckland Zoo’s volunteer community
• Permanent part-time role working Wednesday to Saturday
• Help create memorable experiences for every zoo visitor
• Salary range between $70K - $78K

He angitūtanga: The opportunity

Auckland Zoo has an exciting permanent part‑time opportunity for a Senior Volunteer Coordinator to join our Volunteer Programme team, working 32 hours per week from Wednesday to Saturday. Supporting the Manager Volunteer Programme, you’ll help develop and deliver the Zoo’s Volunteer Programme strategy while taking ownership of key areas of its day‑to‑day operation. Working closely with Volunteer Coordinators and teams across the zoo, you’ll lead and support volunteers to create positive visitor interactions and consistently enhance the overall zoo experience. This is a hands‑on role that includes working at least one Volunteer Coordinator shift each week and providing additional cover when required.

In this role, you will:

• Help develop the Volunteer Programme strategy and annual delivery plan, ensuring volunteer roles and activities align with the Zoo’s Strategic Roadmap and operational needs.
• Lead best‑practice volunteer recruitment, induction, training and development, including maintaining resources and providing individual coaching and support.
• Coordinate daily programme delivery, including volunteer rosters, workloads, records and reporting, while championing the effective use of the Volgistics database.
• Support and coach Volunteer Coordinators, monitor operational performance and identify trends, concerns and opportunities to continuously improve the programme and visitor experience.
• Build strong relationships across the zoo and ensure volunteers are informed, trained and supported to work safely, including understanding relevant health and safety requirements and emergency procedures.

He kōrero mōu: About you

You’ll be an experienced and supportive people leader with a proven ability to deliver a complex volunteer or similar programme, including recruiting, supervising, motivating, training and developing people. You’ll lead by example and bring a genuine commitment to delivering outstanding customer service and visitor experiences. Your excellent communication and relationship‑building skills will help you work effectively across a diverse organisation, manage performance, resolve conflict and guide people confidently through change. You’ll also be highly organised and detail‑focused, comfortable using Microsoft Office and volunteer or customer databases, and committed to building positive relationships with people from all cultural backgrounds. As the role involves regularly moving around the zoo, you’ll need a reasonable level of physical fitness.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• A bachelor’s-level qualification in teaching, adult learning, social sciences or a related field, or equivalent relevant practical experience.
• At least three years’ experience in a leadership role, with the confidence and judgement to work independently and take sole charge when required.
• Experience coordinating large groups of people, preferably volunteers, together with experience in adult learning, coaching and mentoring.
• Strong visitor engagement, customer service and relationship‑management experience gained within a complex working environment.

Please note: This is a 32 hours per week role working Wednesday to Saturday

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: What we offer

We offer a competitive remuneration package, generous holiday allowance, and the pleasure of working in an award‑winning Zoo. You will also have access to the full range of Tātaki Auckland Council benefits – we have a range of discounts and deals with corporate suppliers which cover financial services, health, retail and hospitality discounts to name a few.

We're a hard‑working close‑knit team that are passionate about Auckland Zoo’s mission to build a future for wildlife and wild places, and we’re looking for like‑minded individuals that share our values.

For more information on Auckland Zoo, please visit https://www.aucklandzoo.co.nz/ and reach out to [e-mail] if you have any questions.

Applications close Sunday 11 October 2026

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and we are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.