Volunteer & Interpretive Programs Supervisor

Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow. 

The education department of the Oregon Zoo is looking for a volunteer & interpretive programs supervisor to oversee the vision, management, and evaluation of the zoo’s established interpretive messaging, coaching, and volunteer program strategy. 

As a key member of the education leadership team, this role will supervise staff, support the success of our volunteer community, and collaborate closely with the education manager and fellow supervisors to foster a strong, mission-driven team culture focused on impact. Perfect for a passionate, people-focused individual, this role supports the zoo’s strategic plan by ensuring that every guest interaction, whether a conversation at an animal habitat, a special program, or a volunteer-led experience, advances the zoo's mission of conservation, education, and community connection.

As the Volunteer & Interpretive Programs Supervisor you will: 

• Build on the established interpretive framework and conduct an analysis of existing programming to create a long-term vision for person-to-person interpretation at the zoo 
• Bring creativity, strategic thinking, and a commitment to continuous improvement as you refine programs, strengthen training, and measure impact
• Provide interpretive coaching and resources to staff and volunteers, with a focus on training program coordinators to provide effective coaching to program participants
• Lead evaluation efforts to measure impact of interpretive messaging on grounds and in programs
• Create monthly schedules for the interpretive team, with input from the education supervisors
• Supervise the full-time volunteer coordinator and up to three part-time interpreters, ensuring strong performance and professional development
• Work closely with the volunteer coordinator to set overall goals and vision for the volunteer program, and evaluate progress towards benchmarks and outcomes
• Support volunteer operations through interpretive training, educational workshops, and routine daily coverage; ensure the volunteer coordinator has the resources needed to conduct recruitment, training, and onboarding for all volunteers
• Work closely with other zoo departments, including guest services, events, animal care, and the dive team to coordinate volunteer engagement opportunities in service of the zoo’s mission and vision
• Create annual reports for the interpretive and volunteer programs
• Support other Oregon Zoo teams to ensure guest engagement best practices

Attributes for success

• Strong knowledge of informal interpretation practices and theory
• Familiarity with AZA volunteer programming and volunteer best practices
• Knowledge of basic animal and conservation information, consistent with current scientific consensus
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Skill in personnel management and scheduling
• Skill and experience in change management
• Ability to coach interpreters of all skill levels, and train others to be effective interpretive coaches
• Ability to work with zoo guests and interpreters of all ages, backgrounds, and cultures
• Ability to organize work, manage time, prioritize tasks effectively, and meet deadlines
• Ability to work weekends, holidays, and evenings as needed to support volunteer focused events, trainings, and other operations
• Skill in strategic planning, including long-term goal setting, analytical thinking, and clear communication of vision

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION 

At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop, and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community. 

Learn more about how Metro is advancing diversity

TO QUALIFY

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant. 

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, biology, conservation, or other related field; AND
• 3 years progressively responsible experience that includes increasing responsibility for program development, audience engagement, staff or volunteer training, coaching, and/or supervision; OR 
• Any combination of education, professional, volunteer and lived experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities.

Required qualifications:

The candidate selected for the position must be enrolled in the Office of Child Care’s Central Background Registry. The background check process includes a criminal background check through the Oregon State Police, a record check through Department of Human Services Child Protective Services and the fingerprint based criminal background check through the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Working Conditions:

Work is primarily performed in an office environment with frequent personnel activity and interruptions in workflow. Time may be spent outdoors training and observing interpreters in all weather conditions, requiring walking, standing, and listening. Some seasonal adjustments in work schedule may be required due to zoo events and priorities. 

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply

If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

Hybrid Telework 

This position is designated as “hybrid telework.” You will be required to work onsite and at times have the option to work away from your assigned work location. The specific schedule and balance of onsite and telework will be discussed with the hiring manager at the time of offer. Employees must reside in Oregon or Washington to work at Metro. Please note, the designation of hybrid telework may be subject to change at a future time.

Like to have qualifications

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

• Prior experience working in education, interpretation, and/or volunteer management at an AZA-accredited facility
• At least 3 years managing full-time direct reports
• Previous experience working in a union environment. 
• Prior experience with volunteer management software, such as Better Impact or Volgistics

SCREENING AND EVALUATION 

The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

• A completed Resume that includes the details for each employer
  • Name of employer, working title 
  • Dates of employment; including if the work was full-time or part-time your title, 
  • Number of employees supervised 
  • Summary of your responsibilities
• Responses to Supplemental Questions 

The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Testing/assessments (if applicable)
• Reference check 
• Completed enrollment in the Office of Child Care's Central Background Registry

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REPRESENTATON 

The full-salary range for this position is step #1 $ 89,563.73 to step #7 $ 120,023.26. However, unless a candidate’s qualifications justify, based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirements and Metro’s internal equity review process, the appointment will likely be made between Step #1 $ 89,563.73 to the equity range Step #4 $ 103,680.77. 

This position is not eligible for overtime and is non-represented. It is classified as a Program Supervisor I.

Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.

Questions?

Recruiter: Sarah Winters

Email: sarah.winters@oregonmetro.gov 

Equal employment opportunity

All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.

Accommodation

Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

Veterans' preference

Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

 

Hybrid Telework

Positions designated as “hybrid telework,” meaning you will have the option to work away from the office, although there may be times that coming into the office will be required. The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; Metro cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.
 

Pay equity at Metro

No matter who you are or where you work at Metro, you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do. Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics. Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.

 

Online applications

Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance. 

How to Apply

For tips on how to apply and more information on what the application process looks like, visit Metro’s “How to apply” page. 

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Metro

As part of the Metro family, the Oregon Zoo helps make greater Portland a great place to call home. Metro brings people together to shape the future of our area and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale.

The Oregon Zoo and Metro
 The Oregon Zoo inspires visitors to learn about protecting endangered species and restoring native habitats and is the state's most popular paid attraction. The zoo’s roughly 320 employees welcome more than 1.5 million visitors each year.