Volunteer Coordinator

The Nanticoke Watershed Alliance is a consortium of organizations working together to conserve the natural, cultural and recreational resources of the Nanticoke River watershed. The mission, goals, and objectives of the Alliance are developed by consensus with our partnership. Partners include organizations and businesses from Maryland and Delaware including representatives from agriculture, industry, environmental, business, community, state, local, and federal governmental organizations.

This position is made possible through a partnership with Volunteer Maryland, a division of AmeriCorps. Volunteer Maryland builds stronger, healthier communities by partnering with nonprofits across Maryland and citizens who dedicate one year of their lives to national service in AmeriCorps. This partnership helps to mobilize thousands of volunteers to tackle projects that address the environment, education, public safety, homeland security, and human needs across Maryland.

Responsibilities:

The Nanticoke Watershed Alliance is seeking an outgoing and enthusiastic candidate to help to administer and further develop our volunteer programs, including our Nanticoke Creekwatchers Citizen Monitoring Program, shoreline cleanups/ restoration, oyster restoration, and educational and outreach activities. Responsibilities include:

• Recruiting, training, and supervising volunteers for water monitoring, cleanups, restoration and community outreach.
• Managing day-to-day program coordination of our Creekwatchers water monitoring project.
• Assist in the development of an oyster restoration project in the mouth of the watershed.
• Creating and updating supporting materials for each volunteer program.
• Developing community partnerships and soliciting in-kind donations in support of volunteer programs.
• Evaluating program results and submitting regular reports to Volunteer Maryland.
• Participate in VM and AmeriCorps training, service projects, and other activities.
• Training key staff members in “best practices” of volunteer management and service-learning to help them sustain the program.
• Serve as public ambassador for the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance, Volunteer Maryland, and AmeriCorps.
• Other duties may be assigned in the context of a team-oriented, small environmental non-profit.
• Some travel required; must have reliable transportation.

This is an 11 month, full-time AmeriCorps position with the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance, with the possibility of continued employment in our organization after AmeriCorps year of service. There is potential to start work in August, with the official service year beginning no later than September 16, 2009 and concluding on August 3, 2010.

Benefits:

Full-time VMCs receive a living stipend of $13,000, an education award of $4,725, and health insurance if they are not already covered. They may also qualify for a child care allowance. Other benefits include student loan deferment, professional training, valuable networking opportunities, working with a dedicated team of AmeriCorps members and staff, and making a real difference in a local community. Coordinators also receive mileage reimbursement for work-related travel.

Qualifications:

The preferred candidate will possess and demonstrate excellence in the following areas:

• Be highly motivated and enthusiastic, with a strong desire to learn new things and meet new people.
• Skilled at taking initiative, problem solving, and working independently, to be able to develop, implement and manage a volunteer program.
• Ability to maintain positive, professional demeanor in project implementation, staff relations and organizational growth.
• Background in environmental/natural sciences not required, although the candidate should have an interest in these areas and in other conservation issues.
• Skilled at building interpersonal relationships, to work effectively as part of a team, and to manage volunteers.
• Strong verbal skills, to communicate effectively with staff, volunteers, community groups, businesses and program partners.
• Skilled at written communication, to develop program materials and reports.
• Committed to the concept of national service and to making a difference in his/her community.
• Basic computer literacy, to be able to produce program materials and track volunteer hours.
• Have own, or have access to, transportation to and from VM trainings, events, and Service Site-related activities.
• Must have reliable transportation and valid driver’s license. In addition, proof of U.S. citizenship, age (at least 17 years old), and high school graduation are required in order to enroll in AmeriCorps.

Orientation and Training:

Volunteer Maryland provides approximately 20 days of training in program development, volunteer management, marketing, communication, and leadership skills. Training is held the first two weeks of the service year, with monthly training days throughout the rest of the year. Additional training opportunities are also available through AmeriCorps and the Service Site. The Site Supervisor provides orientation to the VM Coordinator’s local placement site.

Supervision and Evaluation:

The Nanticoke Watershed Alliance’s Programs Manager is the Site Supervisor and will provide day-to-day supervision. The Site Supervisor will evaluate performance in accordance with the agency’s policies. In addition, Volunteer Maryland’s Director provides overall supervision to all VM Coordinators, and evaluates performance at mid-year and at the end of the year.

Hours:

Full-time AmeriCorps members are required to serve approximately 40 hours each week. At the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance the office hours will generally be 9:00 am – 5:00 pm; evening and weekend work will be required from time to time especially for festivals, cleanups and other events. Volunteer Maryland training days are 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Location:

The Nanticoke Watershed Alliance’s office is located in the community of Vienna, MD. Vienna is located along Route 50, twenty minutes from two large Eastern Shore towns, Cambridge, MD (to the west of Vienna) and Salisbury, MD (to the east of Vienna). The Alliance’s address is 115 Old Ocean Gateway, P.O. Box 111, Vienna, MD, 21869; VM training locations will vary.