WAVE Foundation Volunteer Coordinator - Part-Time Year Round [S]

Ultipro; Newport (KY); On-site; USD 28,000 - 30,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Sick PTO

401K with match

Free entrance for you and your dependø

General Admission ticket per pay

Restaurant discounts

Discounted tickets and passes

Training and development

Job summary

WAVE Foundation is seeking a Volunteer Coordinator for a part-time, year-round role based in Newport, KY. You will lead volunteer recruitment, onboarding, and engagement to support educational programs and community outreach.

This on-site position includes coordinating schedules, maintaining records, and building partnerships with volunteers and staff to advance the foundation's mission. The ideal candidate has nonprofit experience, excellent communication, strong organization, and a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in nonprofit management or related field.
• Experience coordinating volunteers, interns, employees, programs, events, or community engagement
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with diverse backgrounds
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, G-Suite, or comparable workplace software

Responsibilities

• Coordinate recruitment, application review, interviews, placement, orientation, and onboarding for adult volunteers, teen volunteers, and interns.
• Maintain position descriptions, applications, recruitment materials, and accurate volunteer/intern records.
• Coordinate volunteer/intern schedules, attendance, service hours, required documentation, and participation through the volunteer management system.
• Communicate program updates, expectations, policies, and important information to volunteers/interns.
• Serve as the primary resource for volunteers/interns, addressing questions, concerns, performance issues, and behavioral matters in collaboration with organizational leadership.
• Build positive relationships and foster a culture of inclusion, collaboration, accountability, engagement, and appreciation.
• Develop and implement volunteer/intern engagement, recognition, retention, and professional development initiatives.
• Coordinate role-specific training with department leaders, maintain training records, and ensure volunteers/interns meet required qualifications.
• Collaborate with staff and department leaders to assess volunteer needs, develop roles, and support effective integration into departmental operations.
• Coordinate volunteer coverage for special events, community programs, educational initiatives, and other organizational needs.
• Evaluate program participation, engagement, retention, and service-hour trends; prepare reports and recommend improvements.
• Develop and implement new volunteer/intern pathways, programs, and initiatives that support WAVE Foundation’s mission and strategic goals.
• Ensure volunteer/intern activities comply with organizational policies, safety procedures, and applicable requirements; elevate significant concerns to appropriate leadership.
• Participate in organizational planning, department meetings, Team WAVE meetings, supervisor check-ins, and special events meetings.
• Participate in bi-monthly Team WAVE meetings, 1:1's with supervisor, and special events meetings
• Prepare reports and presentations related to program(s) activity and impact
• Ensure programming supports WAVE Foundation’s mission and strategic goals

Skills

Organizational skills

Time management

Communication skills

Multitasking

Relationship building

Confidentiality and judgment

Microsoft Office / G-Suite

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Better Impact

Job description

WAVE Foundation Volunteer Coordinator - Part-Time Year Round [S]

Job Category: Administration

Requisition Number: WAVEF011055

• Posted : September 30, 2026
• Part-Time
• On-site

Locations

Showing 1 location

Newport, KY 41071, USA

• Pay or shift range: $20 USD to $22 USD
  The estimated range is the budgeted amount for this position. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, location, qualifications and other job-related reasons.

Description

WAVE Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. WAVE Foundation, in partnership with Newport Aquarium, is on a mission to inspire and foster environmental stewards of aquatic life through education, conservation, and volunteerism. WAVE provides unique education curriculum and experiences for students of all ages; supports and provides leadership in local, national and global conservation efforts; and has a vibrant volunteer program with over 300 dedicated volunteers. The Volunteer Coordinator and all employees working on behalf of WAVE Foundation are considered employees of Herschend Entertainment/Newport Aquarium. Thus, WAVE Foundation employees receive the same benefits and perks.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate recruitment, application review, interviews, placement, orientation, and onboarding for adult volunteers, teen volunteers, and interns.
• Maintain position descriptions, applications, recruitment materials, and accurate volunteer/intern records.
• Coordinate volunteer/intern schedules, attendance, service hours, required documentation, and participation through the volunteer management system.
• Communicate program updates, expectations, policies, and important information to volunteers/interns.
• Serve as the primary resource for volunteers/interns, addressing questions, concerns, performance issues, and behavioral matters in collaboration with organizational leadership.
• Build positive relationships and foster a culture of inclusion, collaboration, accountability, engagement, and appreciation.
• Develop and implement volunteer/intern engagement, recognition, retention, and professional development initiatives.
• Coordinate role-specific training with department leaders, maintain training records, and ensure volunteers/interns meet required qualifications.
• Collaborate with staff and department leaders to assess volunteer needs, develop roles, and support effective integration into departmental operations.
• Coordinate volunteer coverage for special events, community programs, educational initiatives, and other organizational needs.
• Evaluate program participation, engagement, retention, and service-hour trends; prepare reports and recommend improvements.
• Develop and implement new volunteer/intern pathways, programs, and initiatives that support WAVE Foundation’s mission and strategic goals.
• Ensure volunteer/intern activities comply with organizational policies, safety procedures, and applicable requirements; elevate significant concerns to appropriate leadership.
• Participate in organizational planning, department meetings, Team WAVE meetings, supervisor check-ins, and special events meetings.
• Participate in bi-monthly Team WAVE meetings, 1:1's with supervisor, and special events meetings
• Prepare reports and presentations related to program(s) activity and impact
• Ensure programming supports WAVE Foundation’s mission and strategic goals

QUALIFICATIONS

• Required
• Bachelor’s degree OR equivalent professional experience in nonprofit management, communications, education, human resources, hospitality, business, or a related field; will substitute for formal education
• Experience coordinating volunteers, interns, employees, programs, events, or community engagement initiatives
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a dynamic environment
• Demonstrated ability to build positive relationships with individuals with diverse backgrounds and experience levels
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, G-Suite, or comparable workplace software
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment
• Preferred
• Experience working in a museum, aquarium, zoo, education institution, or other mission-driven organization
• Experience with volunteer management software: specifically Better Impact
• Experience in developing training and educational programming
• Experience coordinating large populations or multiple programs
• Experience with special events and community outreach

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Successful completion of pre-employment background check
• No history of allergy related to animals or plants, which might interfere with ability to work
• Immunocompetence (possible exposure to infections and parasitic disease)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position operates in public-facing, team-oriented environment and regularly interacts with volunteers, staff, guests, interns, and community partners. The position requires working one weekend day (either Saturday or Sunday and two weekdays), and occasional evening or special event work based on program and organizational needs.
The role may involve extended periods of standing or walking, working in public spaces, and moving throughout aquarium and event environments.

WHAT YOU’LL GET

• 24 Hours of Sick PTO annually
• Profit Sharing and 401K Plan with company match
• Free entrance for you and your dependents which extends to most Herschend Enterprises' properties
• Earn 1 General Admission complimentary ticket, that you can give to anyone, per pay period
• Discounts at Sharky's Café, Sweet Dreams Candy Company, and the gift shop
• Discounted tickets and annual passes for friends and family
• Training and development

Enthusiastic

Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest

Work-Life Balance

Inspired to perform well by having ample time to pursue work and interests outside of work

Ability to Make an Impact

Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.