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Volunteer and Civic Engagement Senior Manager

Job Details

About the Academy

The Academy of Natural Sciences was founded in 1812 for "the encouragement and cultivation of the sciences". Since then, it has sponsored global expeditions, conducted pioneering environmental and systematics research, and amassed remarkable collections containing more than 18 million specimens from around the world and a peerless library and archive. Since 2011 its academic enterprise has been further strengthened through its affiliation with nearby Drexel University – a leading private non-profit research institution that focusses on innovation and entrepreneurship and provides a unique cooperative education program for its undergraduate and graduate degree students.

Today the Academy is one of the most important natural science institutions in the world. However, the world is changing fast and the Academy – directed by its Strategic Plan 2019-24 - is changing with it. Over the next five years the Academy will become a “force for nature” and advance its mission: “to understand the natural world and inspire everyone to care for it”. In so doing the Academy will build on its fundamental belief that diversity and inclusion generates better ideas, inspires creativity, and is essential to building a positive workplace so that in time it can become an institution that is of, by and for all Philadelphians.

Job Summary

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University is seeking an experienced and passionate professional to co-develop, strategically guide and manage volunteer and civic engagement efforts. The successful Volunteer and Civic Engagement Sr. Manager responsibilities will include recruitment, training, placement, and evaluation of The Academy’s volunteers and interns. Additionally, the Sr. Manager will oversee the functional areas of civic engagement, providing opportunities for meaningful experiential learning for Drexel undergraduates, alumnae/I, current volunteers and community members, in support of the Community Learning Division’s mission to deliver measurable improvements in the health of communities that have been traditionally marginalized and underserved by engaging in collaborative investigation, analysis, and implementation of programming tailored to identified needs.

Working with departments within the Academy and the larger Drexel community as well as community-based organizations, the Sr. Manager will create, assess, and continually improve programs that engage volunteers, interns and Drexel Co-Op students in meaningful roles throughout the Academy, and support Academy staff in designing meaningful volunteer, intern, and Co-Op positions that serve the mission of the Academy. They will provide leadership and direction for existing programs, develop new programs, evaluate the programs, and document the program’s successes. They will support the continued growth of the initiatives through continuous research and assessment, support grant writing initiatives that fund the program, and offer reports and presentations about the program’s successes to a variety of audiences. Key to the success of this role, is a focus on recognition, meaningful engagement, retention and measurable impacts on both people and projects.

Our Civic Engagement collaborates with community-based organizations to place self-selected volunteers in roles of co-generated responsibility and collaboration to provide opportunities for purposeful action, self-reflection, and personal-learning. Working closely with staff, faculty, Drexel Co-Op students, interns, volunteers, and the other department leads in Community Learning, the Sr. Manager oversees recruitment, screening, training and placement of participants with identified projects and programs, external to the Academy. Subsequently, the Sr. Manager will oversee evaluation of these placements and monitor the ongoing needs of volunteers and partners as required.

The ideal candidate should be a natural leader, proactive and creative in their approach to work, possess a love for problem-solving and facilitating personal growth with experience in project management. experience, a professional demeanor, and a creative yet organized style of working. They should be intrinsically motivated, passionate about learning, the natural sciences and community collaborations.

The Sr. Manager, Volunteer Programs, reports to the Vice President of the Community Learning and serves as member of the division’s leadership team.

Essential Functions
  • Responds to questions from the public about volunteering and interning at the Academy, providing position descriptions and application instructions to them.
  • Oversees the database of individuals who contact the museum about volunteer opportunities, tracks progress of volunteer applications, and gathers demographic information about those contacting us.
  • Helps staff develop new position descriptions as appropriate, especially with growing Co-Op engagement.
  • Assists potential volunteers and unpaid interns with the application process and engages staff in review of applications and decisions on acceptance of new volunteers.
  • Manages the recruitment and placement of Co-Ops and interns.
  • Supports staff as needed in the development and scheduling of training for volunteers and interns.
  • Creates and maintains Volunteer Handbook and orientation materials.
  • Assists staff in the onboarding of volunteers and interns, including background checks, the processing of paperwork needed for research volunteers, security cards and computer access.
  • Participates on cross-functional teams tasked with improving the visitor experience.
  • Produces regularly scheduled communications highlighting the work and contributions of participants.
  • Executes annual recognition event.
  • Creates program evaluations and reports on the success of the program as assigned.
  • Works effectively with internal partners to deliver programs successfully.
  • Represents the museum in a professional manner, locally and regionally, and makes appropriate contributions to the field.
  • Facilitates programs as appropriate.
  • Manages program budget and help secure continuing funding for the program.
  • Work with the VP of the Community Learning Division, and the other directors to establish and achieve the Academy’s strategic vision.
  • Works with supervisors and internal departments to secure new donors, sponsorships, and public relations opportunities.
  • Foster a culture of open communication and collaboration.
  • Create and oversee programs and projects that further the strategic goals of Community Science and Community Learning Divisions.
  • Manage the creation and spending of Center budgets, endowments, and gifts.
  • Identify and pursue opportunities for earned and contributed revenue.
  • Identify, recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate staff members, interns, Drexel co-ops, and volunteers
  • Develops position documents, as well as summary and overview reports, to define and explain ongoing work.
  • Presents to work of the division at appropriate conferences, public programs an among key stakeholders.
Required Qualifications
  • Minimum of bachelor’s degree in education, Non-Profit Management, or Equivalent is preferred.
  • Minimum of 3 years of experience in development programs.
  • Program management expertise.
  • The ability to develop and maintain databases.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Outlook, Excel, Teams.
  • Comfort working in a hybrid environment.
  • Demonstrated experience in training others.
  • Experienced in public speaking and facilitation with outstanding communication skills.
  • Outstanding writing skills.
  • Demonstrated strategic thinking and planning skills.
  • Highly collaborative and open to working with varied teams.
  • Ability to interact with the public professionally and work well with people of all ages and abilities.
  • Dependable; reliable attendance, including some nights and weekends and flexibility to work some special events.
  • Organized and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Excitement and sense of passion around the natural sciences.
  • Welcoming, positive outlook and a genuine love of working with volunteers is desirable.
  • Patience and a good sense of humor are most appreciated.
  • Available evenings and weekends as needed.
Physical Demands
  • Typically sitting at a desk/table
  • Typically standing, walking
  • Lifting demands <25lbs
Location

Hybrid/Flexible Work Arrangement.

Additional Information

This position is classified as Exempt with a salary grade of K. For more information regarding Drexel’s Professional Staff salary structure, https://drexel.edu/hr/career/ducomp/salstructure/

Please review the Benefits Brochure for some information on our benefits offerings.

Special Instructions to the Applicant

Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.

Review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.

Advertised:Jan 26 2023 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close:Feb 26 2023 Eastern Standard Time

Company

Drexel University

Founded in 1891 in Philadelphia, Drexel is a comprehensive global R1-level research university with a unique model of experiential learning that combines academic rigor with one of the nation’s premier cooperative education programs.

Drexel University is an urban research university that integrates education, scholarship, diverse partnerships, and our global community to address society’s most pressing challenges through an inclusive learning environment, immersive experiential learning, external partnerships, transdisciplinary and applied research, and creative activity. We prepare graduates of diverse backgrounds to become purpose-driven professionals and agents for positive change

Drexel University II

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