Job opportunities

Volunteer Coordinator

The Volunteer Coordinator will lead the Colchester Zoo Society (CZS) Animal Ambassador Programme volunteers. This role plays a vital part in ensuring our volunteers can help every visitor have an inspiring, educational, and memorable experience at CZS.

Job Purpose:

1. To coordinate the Animal Ambassador Programme (AAP) volunteers, including recruitment, development, and management
2. To develop engaging visitor activities for volunteers to deliver
3. Ensure the volunteer team supports CZS’s mission through education, engagement, and providing added value to our visitors’ day

Please note: The Animal Ambassador Programme is focused on public visitor interaction and engagement. There is no animal care or animal contact involved in this role or the voluntary roles it manages.

Description of Main Duties

Job Role – Volunteer Coordination

• Recruit, induct, develop, and support all AAP volunteers
• Act as the main point of contact for volunteers, prospective volunteers, and staff liaising with volunteers.
• Greet and brief volunteers at the start of their shift; debrief and provide feedback at the end of the day
• Maintain accurate volunteer records, including recruitment, safeguarding, right-to-work documentation, expenses, and other data in line with GDPR guidelines
• Develop and implement strategies to attract new volunteers
• Manage the recruitment process for all new volunteers including informal interviews, inductions, and required paperwork
• Develop methods and incentives to improve volunteer retention
• Create and manage volunteer rotas based on seasonal needs, animal areas, and special events to ensure adequate coverage
• Undertake other administrative and organisational duties essential to effective volunteer management

Job Role – Activity Development & Delivery

• Work with the Conservation Education team to design and deliver engaging visitor activities for volunteers to use, such as biological artefacts, interactive games, and directed learning opportunities
• Deliver training and mentoring to ensure volunteers are confident and capable in activity delivery
• Model best practice in visitor engagement while providing coaching and feedback to volunteers

Job Role – Mission Support & Impact

• Ensure volunteers maintain records of visitor engagement numbers across delivered activities
• Develop methods of evaluating visitor learning and enjoyment of activities including qualitative and quantitative measures
• Utilise feedback on engagement, learning, and enjoyment to improve existing activities and in the development of new ones
• Provide regular reporting on volunteer hours, activities delivered, and visitor engagement outcomes
• Provide and facilitate training for volunteers in line with CZS’s mission statement, including but not limited to: the role of zoos, ex-situ conservation, engagement techniques, features of animal habitats, etc.
• Support volunteers to aid in deliver special events (e.g., World Animal Day), coordinating with other departments where required
• Work closely with the Conservation Education team to identify and develop ways the AAP volunteers can assist with broader campaigns
• Promote and uphold CZS’s policies, including safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion, animal welfare, and social media use, in-line with the AAP Volunteer Policy and Handbook

Working Hours: Average 24 hours per week, ideally across 3-4 days.

Flexibility required, with weekend and school holiday working essential to meet seasonal visitor demand and volunteer recruitment/training needs.

Knowledge & Experience, Qualifications, Training & Skills

Essential:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work confidently with a wide variety of personalities and handle volunteer concerns patiently and diplomatically
• Good customer service skills
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks
• Self-motivated and able to work independently and as part of a team
• Discreet and professional in handling sensitive and confidential information
• Familiarity with GDPR, Safeguarding and Health & Safety guidance
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Confident in Microsoft Office and willing to learn other digital systems
• Interest in zoos, wildlife, or conservation education

Desirable:

• Experience coordinating volunteers
• Experience in the community or voluntary sector
• Knowledge of zoos, wildlife, and conservation education
• Experience of mentoring or coaching