Volunteer Coordinator (Part-Time Contract)

Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary, the oldest sanctuary in the state of Oregon, sits on 54 acres near Scio. Our open-concept sanctuary allows our rescued animals to enjoy a fully self-actualized existence. With access to lush pastures, dense oak groves, and a multitude of warm barns and structures, the animals have the choice to spend their days exactly how they please.

Our sanctuary is home to over 300 rescued animals and our goal is to share their stories with the community, bringing about positive change in the way they are viewed by society. We do this through community outreach, youth-based education, advocating for compassionate living, and providing our animals with quality vet care, nutritious food, and safe shelter.

Position Summary

The Volunteer Coordinator is a part-time, contract position to help foster, expand, and sustain volunteer engagement at Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary. This includes creating new and revising existing volunteer opportunities, training and orienting new volunteers, supervising volunteers and volunteer work parties, and coordinating the volunteer schedule.

Key Responsibilities

Specific duties may include:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all sanctuary volunteers, including responding to inquiries and questions via email, text, phone, etc.
• Recruit new volunteers, both individuals and groups, to join weekday and weekend opportunities
• Sustain relationships with existing volunteers, both individuals and groups, to boost return and retention of individual volunteers and volunteer groups, including sustaining communications, sharing updates, and answering questions about volunteering at the sanctuary
• Build relationships in communities located within two hours of sanctuary, establishing new connections with groups like student/university clubs, service groups, and more
• Screen, train, and orient new volunteers, including sharing goals and desired outcomes for volunteer engagement and walking new volunteers around the sanctuary to help them best see and understand day to day operations
• Manage the volunteer scheduling calendar, seeking balance between days of the week, tasks to be completed, and available volunteer individuals and groups
• Supervise volunteer groups during work parties, as well as individuals and volunteer groups during other days/shifts to be determined
• Serve as the primary manager for all volunteers, including reinforcing positive outcomes, correcting behaviors or actions as needed, and potentially letting go any volunteers who aren’t a good or safe fit for the sanctuary
• Identify new, and revise existing, volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups, including creative new ways to engage people at the sanctuary
• Create new, and update existing, volunteer engagement materials (e.g. applications, waivers, handbooks, sign-up tools, etc.) as needed
• Maintain database of potential, new, and existing volunteers
• Represent Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary with care, intention, and compassion in alignment with sanctuary mission and values
• Work closely with sanctuary board and volunteer leadership to identify and implement strategies for impactful, engaging volunteer engagement
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Minimum of 2 years experience in volunteer coordination and/or management – or – successful completion of online or in-person coursework on volunteer engagement
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Ability to travel to and work from the sanctuary (near Scio, Oregon) at least three days per week.
• Some tasks may require coordination outside of regular hours, including evening and weekend events.
• Ability to work independently and in collaboration with volunteer board and leadership
• Project management skills, including identifying project goals, creating timelines, and completing tasks on time
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Adaptability, creativity, and dependability
• Enthusiasm for farm sanctuaries and volunteer engagement
• Love and care for our animals! They are the reason we are here.

Preferred Skills

• Ability to write and speak Spanish
• Experience working with animals
• Experience with farm sanctuaries or similar animal-focused nonprofit organizations

Compensation

This is a contract position, with an initial term of 24 weeks (six months). Compensation is $25/hour for 20 hours per week (approval will be required to exceed 20 hours in any given week).

After 24 weeks, this contract position will be evaluated and potentially extended.

Pay: From $25.00 per hour

Application Question(s):

• Tell us about a time you had to train or manage a difficult volunteer. What happened, and how did you handle it?
• A new volunteer arrives for their first shift. They are enthusiastic but overwhelmed by the work, the weather, and the animals. What would you do to help them become a long-term volunteer?
• Our sanctuary relies on volunteers to care for over 300 rescued animals every day. What motivates you to do this work, and what challenges do you anticipate?
• If hired, what would your priorities be during your first 90 days?
• Sanctuary work often involves early mornings, bad weather, difficult conversations, and occasionally witnessing animal illness, injury, or death. How do you maintain professionalism and resilience in emotionally challenging situations?

Work Location: In person

Salary : $25