Volunteer Projects Coordinator
About Us: The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is the largest and most interactive science museum in the Western Hemisphere. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (Griffin MSI) exposes guests of all ages to awe-inspiring exhibitions that spark curiosity and bring science to life. Griffin MSI’s mission – to inspire the inventive genius in everyone – is realized through its world-class exhibitions and engaging guest experiences. The Museum provides programs and experiences that deepen the engagement of students and teachers in science and science-related disciplines, with a vision to inspire and motivate our children to achieve their full potential in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.
We offer a creative, collaborative, and innovative environment for our employees. Our employees get great perks such as: benefits starting day one of your employment, free admission to Griffin MSI for family and friends, free admission to other Chicago cultural institutions, free parking in Griffin MSI's garage and more! If you are equally passionate about our vision and want to be surrounded by a team of dynamic, smart, and innovative people, the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is the right place for you!
The Job: The Volunteer Projects Coordinator will support and execute volunteer projects and recognition. This position will be split between administrative support of the Volunteer office’s day-to-day organizational needs and assisting with the planning and execution of volunteer projects.
Additionally, the Coordinator will focus on developing engagement opportunities with guests, provide support to the Volunteer Operations Manager with organizing and tracking Science Snoozeum data, and coordinating a volunteer retention system to ensure volunteers stay aligned with their yearly service goals. The ideal candidate is extremely organized, guest-focused, and has experience with guest engagement activities for volunteers.
This is a fulltime onsite position at the Museum working Tuesday through Saturday and is a union-represented position (AFSCME Council 31). Please note the role requires working on weekends and holidays, and some evenings.
Responsibilities
- Cultivate, coach, and support all volunteers to support museum needs, projects, and programs.
- Ensure guest-facing volunteers are engaging guests with exhibit content and Museum information that meet program goals and guest needs.
- Provide coaching, professional development, and immediate performance feedback to volunteers.
- Collaborate with the Volunteer Office leadership and other coordinator(s) to ensure daily coverage at the Info Desk.
- Attend cross-team meetings as a Volunteer office representative.
- Partner with the volunteer team and appropriate Museum departments to support and launch projects based on Museum needs.
- Provide general guidance and support to volunteers, ensuring issues are resolved or appropriately escalated.
- Serve as primary contact for holiday volunteers and corporate group volunteers and their onboarding.
- Coordinate all messaging and registration of Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Lights (CATW & HOL) tree trimming volunteer’s set-up and take-down sessions.
- Collaborates with the Museum’s Exhibits department to organize all aspects of CATW & HOL setup and takedown.
- Coordinates registration and waiver and release form collection for all corporate volunteer events and activities.
- Coordinate the planning and implementation of volunteer onboarding, training, recognition, and special events.
- Maintain the volunteer CRM database (currently Volgistics), volunteer mailings, & event correspondence.
- Create and monitor forms (currently Cognito) for the registration and reservations of volunteer projects and events.
- Tracks the Mandated Reporter status of active volunteers.
- Process volunteer requests for Friends and Family passes, background checks for new volunteers, and other administrative coordination for the Volunteer Office.
- Facilitate supply and materials orders for Volunteer Office programs, Snoozeums, and other Guest Experiences teams as needed.
- Maintain Volunteer Office uniform inventory.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Three (3) to five (5) years of related experience with volunteer coordination and/or program delivery. A Bachelor's degree a plus.
- Proficient computer skills and knowledge; must be comfortable with learning and using new software and hardware (computer and hand-held devices).
- High level of initiative and exceptional problem-solving skills
- Ability to multitask such as working on multiple projects and meeting deadlines.
- Must be creative and dynamic, exhibit enthusiasm, initiative, flexibility, and openness to ideas.
- Strong teamwork and interdepartmental collaboration skills. Ability to work in diverse teams required.
- Excellent writing, communication, and facilitation skills.
- Strong organizational and interpersonal skills as well as attention to detail.
- Positive attitude required; must enjoy working with people in a fun, educational atmosphere.
- Must be able and willing to work weekends and holidays, and some evenings
- Language:
- Ability to read and interpret documents such as instructions and procedure manuals.
- Mathematical:
- Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as percentages, etc.
- Reasoning:
- Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
- Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
- Physical:
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear.
- Ability to perform various functions such as standing, sitting, walking/moving across uneven surfaces, climbing stairs, lifting, pushing, seeing in varying light conditions, fine finger dexterity, and participating in some physical activities throughout the work shift.
- The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch.
- Must be able to lift/carry up to 20-25 pounds, stand for up to 2 hours at a time, and move safely throughout the Museum campus.
- Work Environment:
- The employee may occasionally be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions.
- The employee may occasionally be in certain exhibit spaces with sensory characteristics such as moments of complete darkness or flashes of light, moments of loud noises loud booms, operating machinery, bells ringing, and explosions.
- The employee may occasionally be in certain exhibit spaces that will have or may have content advisories such as military violence and war themes, Nazism, or feature human specimens and other medical content.
- The employee will work in spaces that will have large crowds, including K-12 school groups.
This fulltime position is eligible for benefits including:
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
- An attractive time off program including vacation, sick, and personal days
- 10 Company Holidays
- 401(k) plans (Traditional and Roth) including a generous employer match
- Robust Voluntary benefit plans including transportation, legal, and many others
- Free onsite garage parking
Our Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusivity Mission
The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is committed to advancing diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion across our workforce, experiences, and day-to-day operations. As Griffin MSI employees, we are each responsible for making the Museum a welcoming place externally for guests and internally for our colleagues within the scope of our roles.
Griffin MSI is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, which includes providing equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.