Volunteer Coordinator
To Apply: Please send a cover letter, resume, and references to Ellen Reed, Executive Director at ereed@parkconnection.com. Priority deadline to apply is June 15, 2025, with rolling applications accepted until the position is filled. The anticipated start date for this position is mid-July 2025.
Mississippi Park Connection (MPC) is seeking a permanent full-time Volunteer Coordinator to assist in co-managing the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area’s Volunteers-In-Parks program with the National Park Service (NPS). The candidate will coordinate volunteer habitat restoration and outreach events, including but not limited to: scheduling and event planning, supervising volunteers, and working closely with MPC and NPS staff. Candidate must be able to travel to sites within the Twin Cities metro area.
POSITION SUMMARY
Job Title: Volunteer Coordinator
Location: Mississippi Park Connection / National Park Service Office - Saint Paul, MN
Reports To: Executive Director
Type: Full-Time (40 hours/week)
Salary: $22-25/hour depending on experience
Benefits: Mississippi Park Connection offers generous benefits such as a 50 percent match for health care premiums, 401k match (up to 5%), paid time off, a $100/month transportation stipend, professional development, and opportunities to recreate on the river.
MISSION
Mississippi Park Connection (MPC) strengthens the enduring connection between people and the national park by stewarding the river and enriching the lives of all those who experience the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.
ABOUT MPC
MPC is the official 501c3 nonprofit organization for the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, a unit of the national park system located in Minnesota's Twin Cities metro area and managed by the National Park Service.
We support the national park by:
Providing funding for youth education, natural and cultural resources, interpretation, and public programs.
Co-managing programs to improve outcomes, including Volunteers-in-Parks, Paddle Share, Plant for the Future, and Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change.
Supporting outreach and communication about the park through social media, the web, and in-person community programs.
Creating connections between the national park and people in its surrounding communities.
MPC serves as a place-based nonprofit organization in the Twin Cities seeking to connect people to the outdoors through hands-on, meaningful experiences on public lands. We accomplish this through habitat restoration events, community and corporate volunteerism, affinity programs like BIPOC in the Outdoors, and public programs on the river and in the park. To learn more about MPC, visit our website at parkconnection.org.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Volunteer and event coordination:
Coordinate and lead volunteer events with community and corporate groups ranging from 10-150 participants, encompassing site and program logistics, volunteer project organization, andvolunteer communications.
Lead group volunteer events through public speaking and presentations that include but are not limited to safety briefings, interpretating park resources, organizational mission and purpose, and icebreaker/teambuilding activities.
Coordinate, in partnership with NPS, volunteer recognition, appreciation, and community outreach events.
Assist with the coordination of volunteer habitat restoration events for special projects, including but not limited to: Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change (ASCC) project, ASCC phenology monitors, and ASCC independent monitors and habitat restoration crews.
Assist with the coordination of volunteer outreach activities in the community, including but not limited to tabling events and festivals.
Prepare for and participate in weekly volunteer coordination meetings with MPC and NPS staff.
Provide regular reports to leadership on volunteer goals, participation, and metrics.
Communications:
Promote volunteer events and opportunities for localized groups and the public; write and distribute information regarding specific volunteer events/opportunities.
Coordinate the development of volunteer-related communications pieces, including newsletters, blog posts, social media posts, website, and other communications methods as assigned.
Recruit and respond to group volunteer requests. Manage and cultivate relationships with group volunteer leads.
Coordinate and monitor MPC’s volunteer website, outreach materials, and other communications pieces in collaboration with MPC and NPS staff.
Coordination with the National Park Service:
Collaborate with NPS Volunteer Coordinator to develop the strategic plan, direction, and execution of the co-managed Volunteers-in-Parks program.
Coordinate volunteer activities and events in response to needs from the NPS.
Support NPS in compliance with the park’s local policy and NPS-wide volunteer program guidelines, including appropriate paperwork.
Provide and coordinate NPS/MPC Policy and Program training for staff and volunteers as required.
Database management:
Manage and maintain the co-managed volunteer program’s volunteer database including creating volunteer jobs, shifts, generating reports, and database management.
Track volunteer placement using constituent relationship management (CRM) platforms, such as Little Green Light.
Organizational support and collaboration:
Recruit, onboard, and cultivate corporate partnerships in collaboration with MPC’s Development Team.
Participate in MPC community and fundraising events as assigned and assist with meeting MPC’s overall philanthropic goals.
Assist MPC staff in maintaining databases, including Salesforce, Mailchimp, and Little Green Light. Enter and maintain accurate data in all systems.
Prepare for and participate in regular meetings with MPC and NPS staff as required.
Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this position successfully, the ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences, forestry, conservation, biology, nonprofit administration, or related study; or equivalent experience.
2+ years of outdoor fieldwork experience; experience in invasive/introduced species management, tree plantings, and native herbaceous plantings preferred.
Experience managing volunteers in a variety of settings and through multiple communication platforms.
Experience safely using and maintaining different tools used for habitat restoration events, including loppers, hand saws, pruners, trowels, and shovels.
Ability and desire to support the mission, vision, and values of MPC.
Ability and desire to work alongside the NPS and support the mission of the national park.
Ability to work independently, as part of a team, and with all levels of staff, NPS employees, guests, and volunteers.
Demonstrated strong organizational and administrative skills, and able to initiate and manage projects.
Ability to work on multiple time-sensitive tasks and meet deadlines.
Excellent oral and written interpersonal and professional communication skills, including ability to maintain consistent correspondence.
Adept at engaging with individuals from varying backgrounds who hold beliefs from an array of experiences.
Proven ability to work with multiple organizational partners in a professional and engaging way including government, corporate, and nonprofit organizations.
Ability to collect and manage data on constituent relationship management platforms.
Preference given to those with experience using Salesforce, Mailchimp, and Little Green Light.
Familiarity with Squarespace and other website management platforms.
Proficiency with office technology including Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) Google Workspace, and virtual communication platforms.
Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
Working conditions and physical demands:
Some lifting up to 50 pounds may be required. Ability to lift supplies, equipment, and materials.
Moderate noise level.
Required to move about in an office environment, sit for extended periods of time, and move about in the community.
Required to work some evenings and weekends and work outdoors.
Ability to work outdoors and conduct site visits, hike and navigate urban forest and park areas with potential exposure to a variety of weather conditions, within MPC and NPS safety standards
Ability to work seated and on the keyboard for long periods is required.
Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
Ability to work in person from the Saint Paul offices. Flexible work schedules may be discussed.
Hold a valid U.S. Driver’s License and qualify to drive a federal vehicle.
Ability to travel within the Mississippi National and River Recreation Area corridor.
Ability to pass a federal background investigation for PIV Card, federal vehicle, and federal building access.
Mississippi Park Connection is an Equal Opportunity Employer
At MPC, we recognize that our effectiveness is enhanced when equity and inclusiveness are practiced and protected throughout our organizational governance, operations, culture, and staffing. MPC is committed to building a diverse community that is inclusive of people from all backgrounds. MPC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, genetic information, disability unrelated to job or admission requirements, or veteran status.