Volunteer Coordinator

Forever Balboa Park; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Employee discounts

Health insurance

Paid time off

401(k) matching

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Job summary

Join Forever Balboa Park as a Volunteer Coordinator, where you'll inspire and manage volunteers dedicated to preserving Balboa Park. This full-time role involves scheduling weekend projects, training volunteers, and collaborating with park organizations.

The ideal candidate has excellent communication skills, is proficient in Excel, and preferred experience in volunteer management or horticulture. You'll also ensure the Volunteer Office is safe and welcoming while fostering community engagement. Enjoy benefits like health insurance and paid time off.

Qualifications

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Previous experience working with volunteers preferred.
• Must have a clean driving record.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with Garden Steward for volunteer projects.
• Schedule and supervise weekend volunteer projects.
• Ensure Volunteer Office remains safe and welcoming.

Skills

Volunteer management

Communication skills

Excel proficiency

Horticulture knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Volgistics

Job description

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Employee discounts
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance

About the Role

Join Forever Balboa Park as a Volunteer Coordinator and play a vital role in enhancing our community engagement! This position offers an exciting opportunity to manage and inspire volunteers who are passionate about preserving and promoting the beauty of Balboa Park.

Job Summary

The Volunteer Coordinator will work full time, Wednesday‑Sunday. They will help schedule and supervise weekend volunteer projects for Forever Balboa Park. These volunteer projects include scheduling and supervising weekend Garden Steward projects, Park Cleanups, Event Volunteers and other weekend volunteers.

Essential Functions

• Coordinate with the Garden Steward Lead volunteers the day before their volunteer shift to outline project location and goals
• Open the Volunteer office for the Garden Steward Leads so they can access tools for their Saturday projects.
• Meet volunteers at the Volunteer Office after their projects are complete and guide sign‑out process, answer any volunteer questions.
• Respond to volunteer interest forms and be a point of contact for volunteers as they go through the onboarding process.
• Schedule and facilitate volunteer trainings as necessary.
• Coordinate with the Natural History Museum for Saturday Nat Garden Corps Maintenance volunteers to access tools. Help transport tools between the shed and the Volunteer Office.
• Facilitate volunteers signing in and out before and after their respective shifts.
• Drive the Forever Balboa Park truck or golf cart to pick up garden volunteer green waste at various gardens and drop it off at the green waste location.
• Coordinate and facilitate one‑time weekend park cleanups (trash pickup) with community groups.
• Drive Forever Balboa Park Golf Cart to drop off trash collected at park cleanups at correct dumpster locations.
• Serve as an advocate for the needs of all Forever Balboa Park Volunteers.
• Ensure that all aspects of the Volunteer Office, shed, and immediate surrounding area remain safe, welcoming, and clean in collaboration with Forever Balboa Park’s facilities and maintenance staff and Park personnel as needed.
• Collaborate with the Volunteer Project Manager and other Volunteer Project Coordinators to recruit, train, and retain volunteers for year‑round and/or seasonal work as necessary.
• Develop and enhance relationships with Park organizations and City of San Diego Parks & Recreation Department staff.
• Assist other Forever Balboa Park team members.

Other Responsibilities

• Restock volunteer food, water and first aid materials.
• Coordinate with Institutional Advancement team to insure Forever Balboa Park Branding and information is correct at weekend projects.
• Coordinate with the Communications Specialist to send photos and descriptions of various weekend volunteer projects for newsletter, social media, and blog posts.
• Attend weekend events as needed.
• Plan and implement formal and informal ways of expressing appreciation for staff & volunteers.
• Support the Annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree preferred but not required.
• Previous experience working with volunteers preferred.
• Experience with landscaping, horticulture, or sustainability preferred.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn about Balboa Park.
• Excel and Word proficiency.
• Proficient in or willingness to learn using Volgistics (volunteer database).
• Other responsibilities as required.

Physical Requirements

• Clean driving record, able to safely drive a truck or golf cart.
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs.
• Lifting, bending, stooping and kneeling are all a part of this position.
• Ability to communicate well with large groups as well as via email communications.
• Ability to receive and execute upon detailed information through oral communication.

About Us

Forever Balboa Park has been a cornerstone of San Diego’s cultural landscape for over 50 years, dedicated to preserving the park’s rich history and vibrant community. Our passionate team and volunteers work together to create memorable experiences that engage visitors and foster a love for the park.

This job description is intended as a guide to the general job responsibilities and is not inclusive of all everyday duties the employee is expected to perform.