Volunteer and Intern Program Manager

Are you passionate about making a difference in your community? Do you have a strong background in volunteer management and a desire to lead a team of dedicated individuals? Then we have the perfect opportunity for you! We are seeking a Volunteer and Intern Program Manager to oversee and coordinate all aspects of our volunteer and internship program.

WHO WE ARE

Save the Sound leads environmental action in the Long Island Sound region. We fight climate change and build resilient communities, save endangered lands, protect the Sound, and restore its rivers. We do this in many ways, from legislative advocacy and legal action to engineering, environmental monitoring, and hands- on volunteer efforts. For 50 years we’ve been ensuring people can enjoy the healthy, clean, and thriving environment they deserve—today and for generations to come.

Learn more about us at www.savethesound.org

THE POSITION:

The Volunteer and Intern Program Manager is responsible for recruiting, managing, training, and appreciating volunteers, and for creating a centralized, consistent experience for interns across the organization in support of Save the Sound's mission and goals. This position will create a Long Island Sound regional strategy for volunteer and intern engagement, including cultivating and maintaining relationships with key partners, through outreach to neighbors, community-based organizations, civic and religious groups, local universities, and corporations.

This new position at Save the Sound has been created to generate new, meaningful, perennial opportunities for residents of the Long Island Sound region to work alongside our staff to ensure a thriving and resilient Sound, systems of feeder rivers, and open space for all life in the watershed. We are looking for a relationship-oriented individual who can develop impactful experiences for our volunteers and interns – both those we know and those we have yet to meet – with a goal of increasing experiential opportunities for underserved and underrepresented communities. This work is a critical part of achieving our strategic goal of engaging one million voices in support of protecting the Long Island Sound Watershed and those who call it home.

The Volunteer and Intern Program Manager will report to the Membership & Engagement Manager. There is a preference for this position to be based in our Larchmont, New York office. Travel for staff interaction, events and projects throughout Connecticut, Westchester County, NYC and the North Shore of Long Island is required, sometimes during evenings and weekends.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Volunteer and Intern Experience

• Experience Curation: In consultation with staff and leaders from Save the Sound’s programs, create and curate high-quality experiences for volunteers and interns.


• Experience Consistency: Consult with managers to develop organizational standards for internship structure and propose ways of creating a high-quality internship experience that is unique to Save the Sound.


• Recruitment and Screening: Attract, recruit, and screen potential volunteers, ensuring they are a good fit for the organization.


• Training and Orientation: Provide comprehensive training and orientation for new volunteers and interns, including an introduction to the organization and their roles.


• Volunteer Retention and Appreciation: Implement strategies to retain volunteers, recognize their contributions, and ensure they feel valued. Organize volunteer thank-you events and a series of multichannel recognition/gratitude communications.


• Feedback Loops: Develop feedback loops with volunteers and interns to obtain a meaningful view of their perceived value of the experiences they have through/with Save the Sound.


• Intern Community: Conceptualize and launch an alumni network that includes Save the Sound interns and previous volunteers, including board and council members.

Volunteer Management

• Coordination: Respond to inquiries and connect volunteers to existing projects and opportunities based on skills and interests.


• Best Practices: Research and implement best practices for volunteer management.


• Volunteer Opportunities: Oversee existing volunteer opportunities, including Save the Sound’s cleanup program. In consultation with staff, oversee additional volunteer opportunities driven by program area priorities and needs.


• Scheduling and Management: Create and manage volunteer schedules, ensuring coverage for events and regular activities.


• Data Management: Centralize, collect and analyze data related to volunteers, including hours, demographics, and engagement.


• Volunteer Support: Serve as the primary contact for volunteers, addressing questions, concerns, and providing ongoing support.


• Communication: Maintain clear and continual communication with volunteers, including updates and appreciation efforts. Work with Engagement and Communications teams to share stories about volunteer impact.

Program Management

• Partnerships: Lead the cultivation of new partnerships to deepen the mutual impact of existing volunteer programs and generate broader awareness of opportunities to engage with Save the Sound through volunteerism and internships.


• Strategic Direction: Lead the development and execution of a regional strategy for volunteer and intern engagement.


• Staff Management: Provide support and guidance for 1-3 direct reports working on Save the Sound’s cleanup program.


• Reporting: Create reports on volunteer program performance and activities.


• Conflict Resolution: When and if necessary, assist with conflict resolution among volunteers, staff, and other stakeholders.


• Budget Management: Manage the volunteer program budget, including expenses related to recruitment, training, and appreciation.


• Evaluation and Improvement: Develop metrics and analyze data to evaluate the processes, activities, and outcomes of the volunteer and intern program. Generate recommendations for continuous improvement.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 2+ years of experience with direct responsibility for management of programs, events, experiences, and/or volunteers


• Ability to motivate and inspire individuals toward a shared, time-limited goal


• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, including ease at making phone calls to volunteers and partners


• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills, with a proven ability to balance competing demands and meet deadlines


• Experience and comfort with speaking in public and promoting events to the media


• Applicants must be a licensed driver with access to a car

Preferred

• Proven track record of recruiting, training, and leading volunteers


• Proficiency in volunteer management software (Raiser’s Edge and Luminate preferred)


• Understanding of marketing and promotional strategies


• Previous experience working with and effectively utilizing data from a sophisticated customer-relationship management (CRM) system


• Ability to develop and execute against a strategy


• Knowledge of volunteer management best practices and trends


• Experience writing grant applications or engaging in individual fundraising

TERMS & COMPENSATION

This is an at-will, full-time, salaried, exempt position. The salary range is $60,000 - $68,000 annually, commensurate with skills and experience. Our comprehensive benefits package includes company sponsored health insurance, dental and vision insurance, 403(b) with company match after 1 year, life and long-term disability insurance, a generous time off package, and opportunities for professional development.

This position is contingent upon the continued level and availability of funding for work organizationally. Save the Sound reserves the right to modify or terminate employment if funding is reduced or unavailable.

TO APPLY

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, list of references, and description of three relevant projects. Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as applications will be reviewed as they are received. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. 

We are a thoughtful and thorough organization. We will be in touch to acknowledge receipt of your application and to schedule selected applicants for an interview. Our hiring process can take from 7 to 10 weeks. You will be informed when the hiring process is complete. Please be patient. 

Additional Details Common to All Positions

Save the Sound’s Commitment to Equity and Diversity - Save the Sound is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination based on age, color, disability, marital or parental status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other legally protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Our organizational leadership and staff are working to deepen Save the Sound’s diversity, equity, and inclusion. We seek to attract a more diverse applicant pool, and to add and retain more outstanding Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to all levels of our team. We work in diverse communities and landscapes and are actively working to increase our focus on driving environmental justice and equitable outcomes through our work.

Shared Organizational Job Responsibilities

• Maintaining positive and productive working relationships with all Save the Sound staff members, including providing and receiving constructive feedback;


• Participating in building productive relationships with Save the Sound's members, external partners, policy makers, and the general public; and


• Completing all administrative work on time, such as timesheets, purchase orders, project reports, and planning documents.

Hybrid Work Arrangements

The Volunteer and Intern Manager is expected to be in the office a minimum of 1 day per week. Details of this arrangement are determined upon hire and employees must notify their manager of any necessary changes. It is at the manager’s discretion to amend the agreed-to work arrangement dependent upon business needs, work performance or other factors.