019119 - Volunteer Coordinator

The North Carolina Arboretum is seeking seeking a Volunteer Coordinator to lead and elevate a dynamic, community-driven program through strong communication, thoughtful administration, and skilled relationship management. This role serves as the connective tissue between departments, volunteers, and the broader public-balancing detailed coordination, clear processes, and day-to-day engagement with a diverse and passionate volunteer corps. Equal parts organizer, communicator, and relationship-builder, the Volunteer Coordinator ensures the program runs smoothly while creating a positive, well-supported experience for everyone involved.

Here, volunteers are at the heart of everything we do-bringing energy, expertise, and a deep sense of community to our gardens, programs, and guest experiences. Mission achievement is best served by the active participation of engaged citizens, and we are proud to foster a culture where volunteers contribute meaningfully across all areas of the organization.

The hiring salary will be between $40,000 and $48,000, depending upon experience.

Aligning with the Volunteer Policy, the Coordinator will use the Arboretum's mission and business needs as a guide for the recruitment, selection and placement of volunteers throughout the campus and will maintain all library assets. The Coordinator develops and maintains collaborative work relationships with volunteers, visitors to the Arboretum and staff. In conjunction with Arboretum leadership, the Coordinator will be responsible for setting and maintaining the strategic direction of the volunteer program in alignment and support of the mission and vision of the organization. As the leader of the volunteer program, this role will be responsible for collaborating with staff to develop effective volunteer opportunities, oversee volunteer recruitment, placement and orientation and foster relationships between employees and volunteers. It will serve as a consultant and advisor to supervisors and volunteers on all aspects of the volunteer program, develop volunteer recognition program and events, maintain volunteer communications, develop and maintain program and volunteer records, reports and statistics and administer the volunteer program budget.

Description of Work:

Recognizing that mission achievement is best served by the active participation of citizens of the community, the Volunteer Coordinator will be responsible for the management of volunteers. Following the Arboretum's Volunteer Coordination policy, the Coordinator will provide a strategic direction for the program using mission-based principles.

This will include:

Coordination of the Volunteer Program
*Communicate and work proactively with staff to determine volunteer needs and provide accurate information and assistance to volunteers.
*Monitor, support, and motivate volunteers in their roles.
*Provide ongoing recruitment of volunteers from each section of the community, interview, screen, place and schedule volunteers
*Ensure volunteers are scheduled for high-impact positions such as docents, visitor services, Rocky Cove Railroad, guided garden and trail walks, Winter Lights and other programs to that benefit guest experience.
*Works with appropriate staff to ensure volunteers are properly trained in their area of service
*Manages recruitment, training and professionalism of docents and Winter Lights volunteers.
*Facilitate area-specific and general training opportunities using staff and volunteer leaders
*Manage program budget.
*Maintain a positive, helpful and solution-oriented demeanor when responding to all departments to assure highest quality experience for all Arboretum volunteers and visitors
*Coordinate corporate engagement efforts, including employee volunteering, in-kind donations, student career exploration opportunities and events.
*Coordinate a variety of program events throughout the year that utilize volunteers, such as field trips, community service days, social events and more.
*Collaborate with Development department to support volunteer fundraising efforts.
*Set schedules in accordance with coverage needs for volunteers and staff.
*Handle telephone, voicemail, written, and e-mail inquiries for information about the volunteer program
*Responsible for writing newsletters, and general correspondence to staff, volunteers and community members
*Facilitate the process for evaluating the contributions of individual volunteers and the effectiveness of each position in serving organizational goals
*Works with department leaders to develop a system of volunteer benefits and recognition program
*Works to keep volunteers properly informed about property, programs and their duties, through orientation meetings, group sessions, manuals, emails and phone calls
*Ensures proper background checks are preformed and maintained

Online Presence and Data Maintenance
*Tracks volunteer hours, and records skills, performance, availability and scheduling through VolunteerHub software system.
*Oversee volunteer records and data entry in VolunteerHub and issue gate passes and nametags annually and as needed
*Maintain records and develop reports of volunteer demographics, hours, values/FTE equivalents, substitute availability, and other reports concerning daily, monthly and annual needs. Provide ongoing support and guidance for volunteers using VolunteerHub
*Maintain the volunteer webpage
*Produce/update volunteer documents, including application, handbook, training and timekeeping and maintain volunteer (online) access to these documents.
*Produce volunteer-related articles for print and electronic newsletters and social media
*Recruit volunteers through local media, web, social media and outreach.

Ad Hoc Duties
As situations arise, other duties will be assigned to this role as necessary. The Volunteer Coordinator is expected to work with all Arboretum program areas to ensure a smooth delivery of guest and customer service.

Coordinate Library Assets
*Manage budget specific to volunteer and library needs
*Oversee library accessions, library volunteer activities and day-to-day library operations

This position may be eligible for a hybrid or remote work arrangement, consistent with TNCA policy. UNC System/TNCA employees are generally required to reside in North Carolina, within a 2-hour commuting distance of their assigned duty station.

About the Team
The North Carolina Arboretum is a 434-acre public garden affiliated with the University of North Carolina featuring indoor and outdoor exhibits, educational activities, plant-centered research and economic development programs.
The North Carolina Arboretum Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports the Arboretum's mission of cultivating connections between people and plants through membership; individual, foundation and corporate giving programs; retail operations; volunteer programs; marketing; fee-based educational programs; exhibits; and green events.
The Administration department is to ensure and promote the efficient performance for all departments within the Arboretum. Providing a connective link between departments, the Administration area provides business and personnel services in pursuit of mission delivery.

Minimum Education, Experience, and Skills
Required: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and two years of volunteer program administration experience or equivalent combination of training and experience. Proficiency in standard office software including word processing, spreadsheets, email and databases. Demonstrated success in providing excellent customer service

Required Competencies
Professional Knowledge:
Knowledge of volunteer management best practices, program policies, procedures and customer service. Knowledge of new theories, trends, laws and programs designed to support volunteer coordination and visitor services.
Program Administration:
Ability to manage multiple program areas associated with volunteer management and visitor services. Demonstrated accountability in volunteer administration. Ability to define goals, tasks, deliverables, timeliness and resources needed to ensure quality programming.
Consultation and Collaboration: The ability to advise and collaborate with internal and external customers to resolve difficult issues or challenges. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding of program culture, issues, and working relationships to address challenges. Ability to identify trends and adjust programming to meet trends. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding of program culture, issues and working relationship to address challenges. Ability to share knowledge of program through educational program, training and guided tours. Ability to create and maintain a constructive and professional relationship with peers to facilitate volunteer success.
Problem Solving skills:
The ability to troubleshoot, extract, review and analyze data to anticipate and solve program issues is crucial to this position.

Preferred Education, Experience, and Skills
Preference: Certification in Volunteer Administration (CVA), Master's Degree in education, public administration, parks and recreation or similar topics. Previous experience managing a volunteer corps. Previous work experience at a university or non-profit organization including public garden, arboretum, zoological park, nature center or similar

• Classification: University Program Specialist
• Position Competency Level: Journey
• Position Number: UNCSO-A19119
• Employment Type: SHRA
• Appointment Type: Permanent
• Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time
• Recruitment Salary Range: 40000-48000
• Location: 100 Fredrick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806 USA
• Posting Open Date: 3/30/2026
• Posting Close Date: 4/12/2026

EEO
The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.

The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

To claim veteran's preference, all eligible persons must indicate their eligibility as requested on the application. A DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, may be required later in the selection process.

The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Human Resources Contact Information
Applicants needing assistance with the application process are asked to contact: recruiter@northcarolina.edu.