Volunteer Program Manager

Job Title: Volunteer Program Manager

Reports to: Program Director

Location: Hybrid. At least one day a week in the Bethesda, MD office is required. On-site work at the NPS office in Rock Creek Park as needed. Regular travel within Rock Creek Park and other areas of the Rock Creek watershed in Washington, DC and Montgomery County, MD.

Type: Full-time, exempt

Position Background

Rock Creek Conservancy (Conservancy), a non-profit environmental organization, seeks a Volunteer Program Manager to manage, enhance, and build our volunteer programs.

The Conservancy engages over 5,000 volunteers each year—from individuals who have just moved to the area and those who have lived here all their lives to schools and corporate groups. The Manager will help maintain and grow our volunteer base through robust volunteer programming and service opportunities using the Conservancy’s people-powered restoration model. Broadly, people-powered restoration uses a connection to Rock Creek to drive a stewardship ethic by providing a sense of community, an understanding of the needs of Rock Creek, a sense of agency, and a straightforward way to take action as a steward.

Rock Creek and its parks provide a variety of benefits to the over 500,000 people who live in the watershed. This includes health, environmental, and social benefits, such as improving physical and mental well-being, enhancing air and water quality, and fostering community connection. Similar to other urban watersheds, Rock Creek faces a suite of challenges including stormwater runoff pollution and invasive plants that negatively impact environmental and human health. As the Conservancy works towards a more healthy and thriving Rock Creek, engaging volunteers in this effort is critical. The Manager will play a key role in helping community members make meaningful connections with Rock Creek and providing opportunities for them to get involved. The Manager will have the opportunity to empower thousands of people in making a difference for Rock Creek and their local community.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Manage and enhance the Conservancy’s existing volunteer programs and develop new programs that may emerge with support from the Program Director and in collaboration with other Conservancy staff and partners
• Implement the administration of volunteer and other program events, including establishing events in the Conservancy’s database, setting up and publishing registration links, keeping the program calendar up to date for internal and external audiences, drafting pre- and post- event emails, maintaining volunteer records, tracking and filing volunteer forms, and tracking and reporting volunteer and event data
• Collaborate with park managers, including the Rock Creek Park volunteer program coordinator, on development and implementation of volunteer programs and dissemination of information to Conservancy staff and volunteers
• Collaborate with Conservancy staff in coordinating volunteer opportunities with a range of volunteer groups such as local schools and corporate entities
• Lead, co-lead, and provide support for volunteer and other program events
• Ensure compliance with safety, risk management, and organizational policies and procedures in coordination with Conservancy staff, park managers, and other community partners
• Coordinate with park managers and other Conservancy staff in organizing and implementing volunteer trainings and ensuring a positive volunteer experience
• Oversee and support management of event volunteers and individual recurring volunteers in coordination with Conservancy staff and partners
• Provide excellent customer service as the primary respondent to volunteer and programmatic inquiries
• Assess the effectiveness of volunteer programs, gather feedback, and recommend and implement improvements
• Maintain inventory of program supplies and monitor repair/replenishment needs
• Work with the Conservancy’s communications staff on outreach plans and promotional communication to recruit volunteers

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 5 years of professional experience in volunteer management or program coordination. Experience or educational background in urban parks, forests, watersheds, and conservation is advantageous. 
• Familiarity with DC-area forest, parks, and watershed issues and opportunities
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent attention to detail and project management skills, including time management, goal-setting, multitasking and prioritization with demonstrated success managing multiple tasks concurrently
• Experience using Google Suite and volunteer management software such as EveryAction
• Ability to work independently/remotely as well as part of a team
• Ability to travel to/from Bethesda office and locations within Rock Creek Park and Rock Creek watershed

Salary and Benefits: $60,000 to $75,000, commensurate with experience and skills, plus benefits (including health, dental, vision insurance; 401k with employer contribution; 12 annual holidays + accrued paid and sick leave; travel stipend).

How to Apply: Send a resume and cover letter to info@rockcreekconservancy.org with the position title “Volunteer Program Manager” in the subject line. The position will remain open until filled, but for best consideration apply by December 27, 2025.

Rock Creek Conservancy is an equal opportunity employer.

https://www.rockcreekconservancy.org/our-team