Volunteer Manager

Kitsap Humane; Silverdale (WA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Kitsap Humane is seeking a Volunteer Manager to lead our volunteer program within the Volunteer Services department. The role focuses on staffing, training, and supporting a large volunteer base across shelter operations.

The VM reports to the Director of Animal Welfare and collaborates with many departments to optimize volunteer impact. Responsibilities include recruiting volunteers, coordinating orientation, and ensuring effective volunteer engagement.

Qualifications

• Proven program management experience.
• Demonstrated leadership and people skills.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a busy shelter environment.
• Experience with volunteer programs is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, train, schedule, and retain volunteers.
• Oversee the Volunteer Assistant and supervise volunteers across departments.
• Lead volunteer recruitment through online marketing, events, and outreach.
• Develop and deliver volunteer training sessions and materials.
• Maximize volunteer retention and engagement through programs and events.
• Maintain volunteer records and reporting systems.
• Coordinate with department staff to support shelter needs.

Skills

Program management

Leadership

People skills

Public speaking

Communication (verbal/written)

Time management

Team collaboration

Disciplinary action

Multitasking

Social media

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

Description

JOB TITLE: Volunteer Manager (VM)

STATUS: Non-Exempt, Full-time 40 hours/week

SUPERVISOR: Director of Animal Welfare

DEPARTMENT: Volunteer Services

Job Description

Volunteers are critical to achieving KHS’s mission. Our 350-plus active volunteers work in every aspect of our operation from direct animal care to outreach events. We could not operate the shelter without their support. Recruiting, training, scheduling, and retaining our volunteers is crucial to the success of our organization.

The VM is responsible for the success and management of our volunteer program, ensuring that volunteers are effectively utilized and continuously supported throughout the organization. The VM interacts closely with all volunteers and staff from all departments and must be supportive and approachable.

The Volunteer Manager reports to the Director of Animal Welfare.

Specific duties include:

Volunteer Staffing

The VM is responsible for hiring, training, and supervising the full time Volunteer Assistant and ensuring that they are effectively supporting the volunteers and shelter needs.

The VM is responsible for leading KHS’s volunteer recruitment efforts through online marketing and social media, community events, in-person networking, and other activities. As a prominent face of KHS in the community, the VM is frequently able to promote the shelter and the wealth of volunteer opportunities here. They work closely with the numerous departments across the shelter to market volunteer opportunities, and to create new volunteer roles to meet department needs.

Orientation and Training

The VM and the Assistant are the volunteer’s first contact at KHS and as such, set the tone and expectations for all volunteers. The volunteer department welcomes new volunteers to KHS through regularly scheduled virtual and in-person orientation sessions, creates trainings, schedules volunteers into regular work shifts, connects volunteers with their supervisors, and follows up to ensure that the volunteers are integrating smoothly into their KHS department.

The VM leads a variety of volunteer training sessions for specific volunteer assignments. In other circumstances where job-specific training is provided by department staff, the VM also works with staff to schedule these volunteer trainings, as well as to develop effective training materials and programs.

Volunteer Retention

The volunteer program is only successful if volunteers stay with KHS after signing up. The VM is responsible for maximizing the retention of volunteers:

• Develop a budget and assess available resources for the volunteer program activities.
• Conduct continuous evaluation of the programs and services delivered by volunteers and implement changes when necessary.
• Implement effective strategies to recruit volunteers with the right skills at the right time to match the interest of the organization.
• Setting and communicating clear expectations to volunteers.
• Training staff on how to work with volunteers and how to develop strong working relationships. Provide a supportive, welcoming environment for volunteers.
• Helping volunteers integrate into the KHS environment.
• Representing the needs of volunteers to KHS management, coordinators and staff.
• Seeking ongoing feedback from volunteers.
• Continually looking for ways to strengthen the volunteer program and improve the volunteer experience.
• Scheduling, organizing, and executing volunteer appreciation events.

Volunteer Supervision

Volunteers are supervised by their department manager (or, in some cases, by other volunteers). The VM is responsible for working with those supervisors to ensure the best possible working environment for the volunteers, and to ensure that volunteer service is being utilized in a way that best fits the needs of the shelter. They are available to help supervisors offer constructive feedback or disciplinary action when necessary, and are also responsible for providing direct feedback, coaching, and disciplinary action to volunteers as needed. The VM also acts as administrator on the Official KHS Volunteer Facebook Group page.

Interdepartmental Support

The VM works closely with other coordinators and managers in the shelter to provide volunteer support for department-specific needs, unique one-time opportunities, and special events. They may send requests for assistance to existing volunteers for special volunteer opportunities needed by other departments and may assist with volunteer recruitment and management during special events as needed. The VM must be receptive to changing shelter needs and programs, adjusting volunteer programs as needed. They support other departments by recruiting and screening interns as needed and assists with on-boarding new interns to our shelter.

Program Administration

The VM is responsible for the administrative aspects of the volunteer program, including but not limited to:

• Maintaining volunteer records in Better Impact, our volunteer database.
• Maintaining relationships with various community agencies that are sources for volunteers.
• Attending workshops/trainings on volunteer management and integrating relevant ideas back into the shelter.
• Communicating KHS policies and procedures to volunteers, and providing correction as needed.
• Creating and updating volunteer protocols, SOPs, and training materials.
• Overseeing all volunteer scheduling and training.
• Acting as administrator on Official KHS Volunteer Facebook Group.
• Overseeing the Community Service Program, supporting volunteers looking to complete court-ordered community service.
• Performing other duties as assigned by the Director of Animal Welfare.

Schedule

The VM position is a full-time position, with one weekend day required. The VM must also be available to work occasional evenings, early mornings, and both weekend days as needed for special events.

Requirements

Qualifications

Required:

• Demonstrated program management experience
• Demonstrated leadership skills
• Demonstrated people skills and a love of working with people
• Very strong public speaking and teaching skills, with both large groups and in one-on-one situations
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• The ability to stay calm, collected, and professional in stressful or emotionally-charged situations
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Experience with Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and other software
• Experience working with social media platforms, mobile devices, and virtual communication platforms
• The ability to multitask and work in a hectic, fast-paced environment
• Comfort providing constructive feedback and implementing disciplinary action when appropriate
• Flexibility regarding work duties and openness to changing organizational priorities and programs
• The ability to be a team player and work collaboratively with other departments and personalities
• The ability to communicate respectfully and effectively with people of all backgrounds
• Willingness and ability to work hands-on alongside volunteers as needed to complete tasks such as walking dogs, taking photos of animals, cleaning crates, and other time-sensitive, physical tasks
• Love of animals and comfort handling animals of all breeds, sizes, temperaments and behaviors
• Ability to handle large dogs, including dogs with behavior challenges such as pulling, jumpy/mouthy behaviors, etc.
• Knowledge of (or willingness to learn) basic medical and behavior information about dogs and cats
• The ability to recognize that all animals are individuals
• Positivity and open-mindedness towards progressive animal welfare strategies and policies
• Understanding of the need for, and comfort with euthanasia, including behavioral euthanasia
• A valid driver's license and reliable transportation
• The ability to lift 50 lbs and to be physically able to bend, stoop, kneel, squat, twist, reach, and climb steps

Strongly Preferred (but not required):

• Bachelor’s degree
• Experience leading a volunteer program or managing employees
• Formal training in volunteer management

Kitsap Humane Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes job applications from qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability.