PURPOSE AND SCOPE:

This is an 11-month, full-time (40 hours/week) position as a member of the Volunteer Maryland (VM) AmeriCorps program serving as the Volunteer Coordinator at Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park (AMM). Volunteer Maryland AmeriCorps Members, ACM’s, are responsible for building capacity and developing and implementing a volunteer program as agreed to in the VM site partnership negotiations that occurred in spring, 2021. The member’s activities will target increasing the AMM’s effectiveness and expanding the museum’s reach or scope by growing and professionalizing the volunteer program that serves over 350 volunteers. The outcome will be an increase in capacity for the AMM to serve its community. The VM service year will begin on September 15, 2021 and conclude on August 2, 2022. As part of the Americorps program, Volunteer Coordinators are expected to complete 1,700 hours of service during the term.

 

SITE SPECIFIC PROJECT SCOPE:

The Volunteer Maryland AmeriCorps Member will aim to recruit at least 50 volunteers who will be join one of our 10 volunteer teams (Docents/Visitor Services, Education, Events, Office Support, Archives/Collections, Wooden Boat Crew, Gardens, Aquarium Maintenance, Skipjack Crew, and Skipjack Tour Guides). The Americorps Members will be responsible for direct communication and support of the volunteer captains of each team. The volunteer captains are responsible for the day-to-day operations of their team including scheduling, training, and recognition.

Duties involved in supporting volunteer captains includes recruiting new volunteers, assisting in volunteer recognition and training, managing new volunteer applications and updating the volunteer database, collating volunteer hours from all team captains, organizing an annual volunteer fair and the annual end-of-season volunteer dinner.

The AmeriCorps Member will also work with staff to create or revise the following volunteer program elements:

  • Evaluate our volunteer recognition system and suggest a more structured, organization-wide system
  • Evaluate existing volunteer policies

 

BENEFITS:

VM AmeriCorps members receive a living stipend of $15,100 (pending funding), health insurance if they are not already covered. They may also qualify for a childcare allowance. Other benefits include mileage reimbursement for site-related travel, student loan deferment, professional training, valuable networking opportunities, working with a dedicated team of AmeriCorps members and staff, and making a real difference in a local community. After completion of a successful service year, members receive an education award of $6,345 through the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award- CNCS. May access over 600 national service employees through AmeriCorps Alumni services. Some members may qualify for Public Service Lean Forgiveness, per Consumer Financial Protection Bureau https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-public-service-loan-forgiveness-en-641/

DUTIES:

  • Develop a written work plan and timeline for implementation.
  • Develop program materials such as a policy and procedure manual, volunteer position descriptions, promotional fliers or brochures, and screening, training, and evaluation tools.
  • Recruits new volunteers on an as needed basis and through collaboration with volunteer captains and various techniques including presentations to businesses or community groups, staffing information booths and community events, utilizing databases, email, press releases, and an annual volunteer fair.
  • Screen volunteers as necessary; procedures might include interviews, reference checks, and criminal background checks.
  • Orients, trains, coaches, motivates, measures, and evaluates volunteers in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, and programs. Conducts frequent volunteer orientations and develops volunteer training tools and curriculums with support from volunteer team captains.
  • Manage volunteer support, training, scheduling, and recognition. Acts as on-site support during operating hours if volunteers are not available.
  • Act as liaison with volunteer captains, enlist new captains as needed. Supervise volunteers and act as on-site support during operating hours if volunteers are not available. Schedule and organize Volunteer Appreciation events; facilitate volunteer awards and recognition.
  • Maintain accurate records of volunteer participation. Review new, organization-wide applications and update volunteer database. Solicit and manage volunteer waivers, completing paperwork related to ongoing participation in volunteer opportunities.
  • Serve as a liaison to facilitate communication between the volunteers and staff.
  • Coordinate teams of volunteers for new or large-scale projects.
  • Communicate frequently with volunteers to ensure they are satisfied and solicit feedback on all programming and events. This includes a monthly newsletter sent to all volunteers.
  • Evaluate progress made in achieving the program’s goals; report on progress in statistical and narrative reports for Volunteer Maryland.
  • Develop and network with community partnerships to support the volunteer program.
  • Serve as public ambassador for the Annapolis Maritime Museum, Volunteer Maryland, and AmeriCorps.
  • Participate in VM and AmeriCorps training, service projects, and other activities.
  • ACMs may be assigned other volunteer program duties during the course of the service year by the Service Site Supervisor.
  • Note: The AmeriCorps member will not be allowed to perform duties that violate the AmeriCorps