Are you an outgoing leader who enjoys making connections? Then Ruff Start Rescue has a position for you! Volunteers are critical to achieving Ruff Start Rescue’s mission. Our 400-plus volunteers work in every aspect of our organization. The Rescue could not operate without them. Recruiting, training, scheduling, nurturing, and retaining volunteers are crucial to organizational success. 

The Volunteer Manager will provide support for RSR, helping to ensure that volunteer engagement is a driving force of the organization's mission, growth, and impact. They will help oversee day-to-day volunteer activities and work to implement projects that expand the Volunteer  Department's reach within other areas of the Organization. They will be responsible for recruiting, engaging, training, and onboarding new volunteers, managing volunteer information, matching volunteers to opportunities based on their interests, keeping volunteers informed with up-to-date information, and overseeing our volunteer management software.  The Volunteer Manager oversees volunteer management training for staff and supports other volunteer management needs. This highly visible leadership position requires a can-do attitude and problem-solving commitment. The Volunteer Manager interacts closely with all volunteers and staff and must be approachable, friendly, upbeat, and have excellent communication skills. 

The Education Manager will provide support for the Education department at RSR. This includes training, mentoring, growing, and promoting our education programs. Education is a vital part of Ruff Start Rescue’s mission. 

Availability:

This is a salaried position with a time commitment of at least 40 hours a week. This position requires you to be onsite at the Princeton Office Monday-Friday. Daily emailing and phone calls are a must. We do have set office hours, but there may be times you go over these hours if needed, depending on your job duties. 

This position oversees: 

• 2 Staff position 

• Office Manager

• Shuttle Driver

• 400+ volunteers 

• Volunteer coordinators

• Community service volunteers

• Transport coordinators

• Education Committee 

• Ranger’s sub-committee 

Volunteer Manager Duties and Responsibilities:

• The Volunteer Manager is responsible for the oversight of the office manager and shuttle drivers.

• The manager is the volunteer’s Primary contact at RSR and sets the tone and expectations for all volunteers. 

• The manager welcomes new volunteers to RSR through regularly scheduled orientation sessions, schedules volunteers into traditional volunteer roles, connects volunteers with their supervisors, and ensures that the volunteers integrate smoothly into their RSR department.

• Work with department managers to recruit, retain, and reward volunteers for all areas of the organization that require volunteer assistance.

• Host quarterly volunteer management training for all staff.

• Maintaining relationships and coordinating with various community agencies that are sources for volunteers.

• Host annual volunteer events, including picnics and holiday party

• Communicating RSR policies and procedures to volunteers and correcting as needed.

• Creating and updating volunteer protocols, SOPs, handbooks, and training materials.

• Scheduling, organizing, and executing volunteer appreciation events.

• Acting as administrator on the RSR Foster and Volunteer Facebook Group.

• Overseeing the Community Service Program, supporting volunteers looking to complete court-ordered community service or school programs with mandated hours of service.

• Coordinate all volunteer activities and meet with various departments (i.e., Events/Fundraising, Animal Care programs, Communications, Education, Operations, Vetting, etc.) to distinguish volunteer needs.

• Handle inquiries for information about the volunteer program, including facility tours and corporate volunteer opportunities. 

• Ensure the volunteer database is accurate and has current information on each volunteer. 

• Maintain and update volunteer recognition programs and keep up with reporting length of service. 

• Oversee and manage volunteer coordinators who process new applications within 48 hours and work with applicants.

• Maintain records related to volunteers and their activities by noting individual skills, abilities, and special interests while tracking training, volunteer assignments, and other related information. 

• Supervise, encourage, evaluate, and provide corrective action to motivate volunteers and effectively perform assigned duties. 

• Fills the positions for volunteer coordinators, home visit coordinators, transport coordinators, and shuttle drivers by posting, recruiting, training, and retaining these positions. 

• Develop and oversee the volunteer and education program budgets.  

• Coordinate/organize/attend corporate events and volunteer events.

• Develop and coordinate ongoing educational training for volunteers

• Attend professional meetings and attend community events to promote RSR.

• Have a thorough understanding and working knowledge of volunteer programs

• Other duties as assigned 

Education Manager Duties and Responsibilities:

• Host monthly Education Committee meetings and attend Ranger Committee meetings.

• Ensure that RSR’s Education program reaches the appropriate number of individuals the Organization determines each year.

• Host in-person presentations, virtual events, reading programs, and other educational opportunities. 

• Host quarterly Jr. Events

• Responsible for presenting to Educational presentation requests if a volunteer is not available. 

• Manage all projects and provide oversight on new programs within the department. 

• Communicate metrics and new initiatives to leadership. 

• Work with the  Education Committee to coordinate all educational programs, ensuring they meet educational objectives.

•  Provides overall administrative leadership, management, and marketing for educational programming.

• Creates educational materials, ensuring they reach the target audiences while meeting the educational objectives and budget.

• Other duties as assigned

Specific Job Skills and Requirements 

• Access to the internet on a daily basis.  You must have a laptop to bring to work.

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Minimum high school diploma required.

• Must be 18+ and have reliable transportation.

• Ability to handle multiple tasks and work in a fast-paced environment.

• 2+ years of experience managing employees

• Preferred experience: 2+ years managing volunteers, management or leadership experience.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Windows and Office, especially Word and Excel.

• Proficiency using Gmail preferred, including Google Drive.

• Must be able to communicate objectives and goals professionally.

• Ability to work courteously and cooperatively with all members of RSR and the public.

• Experience with public speaking

• Experience with developing and implementing programs, processes, and procedures.

• Collaboration skills are a must to value differences, build rapport and discuss Ruff Start policies, procedures, and changes effectively.

Meetings/Participation

• Attend/Take part in yearly volunteer picnics or appreciation events.

• Attend and take part in any major events where the leadership team should be present. 

Personal Characteristics

• Demonstrates honesty, integrity, and discretion. Skilled at handling sensitive and confidential situations.

• Strong interpersonal skills - outgoing, patient, professional, and able to get along well with a variety of people. 

• Maturity and good judgment.

• Ability to show compassion and empathize with the foster families. 

• Work as a team player, supporting the overall goals of the organization. 

• Ability or experience working with organization/company founders is a plus.

• Possibility-driven, proactive, personable, energetic, collaborative, and tactful.

• Brings a strong drive for results while maintaining a calm approach to managing change and working through unexpected or challenging situations.

• Well organized.

• Respect for all people and animals. 

• Demonstrate affection for animals and concern for their welfare.

• Ability to handle stressful and awkward situations with new fosters or RSR volunteers. Must be able to approach problem-solving logically, research history, avoid biases and focus on what is in the best interest of the rescue data to draw the right conclusions—even under pressure.

• Deep and abiding passion for professionally advocating Ruff Start Rescue's position on key animal welfare and No-Kill issues.

Salary: $43,000+ DOQ

Benefits

• Health insurance will be available for employees on the first of the month after 30 dayss. RSR will pay 50% of the employee's monthly premium.

• Retirement plan with up to a 3% employee contribution available after 90 days.

• Additional insurance options are available after 90 days - you pay 100% premium at a discounted group rate.

• Short term disability

• Life Insurance

• Dental Insurance

• Accident Insurance

• Hospital Indemnity Insurance

• Critical Illness Insurance

• Cancer Insurance

• Vision Insurance 

• PTO 

• First-year 10 days Prorated from 90 days

• Years 1 and 2 15 days (3 Weeks)

• Year 3 and 4 20 Days (4 Weeks)

• Year 5 and 6 25 Days (5 Weeks)

• Year 7 + 30 Days (6 Weeks)

• When an employee rolls over to a new year bracket, we prorate from their anniversary day.

• Ruff Start Rescue recognizes seven paid holidays each year. Should a holiday fall on the weekend, the holiday will be observed on the workday closest to the holiday..  

• Professional Development courses cover up to $200 annually. 

Reports to: Director of Operations