Volunteer Management / Coordinator

Position: Coordinator, Volunteer Services
Organization: Toronto Botanical Garden
Location: M3C 1P2, Toronto/North York ON

Work at the Most Beautiful Garden in Toronto

The Toronto Botanical Garden (TBG) is a mission-driven botanical garden dedicated to fostering a connection between community and nature, while making a meaningful impact on Toronto’s ecosystem.

TBG is a vibrant destination that inspires a love for plants and sustainable living

As Toronto’s premier location for experiencing sustainable horticulture, TBG offers visitors the opportunity to explore their role as stewards of the environment. With free admission and an annual attendance of 300,000 visitors per year, TBG invites everyone to engage with nature, offering a dynamic year-round calendar of events, community tours, eco markets and more.

TBG’s educational programs cater to children, families, and adults of all experience levels, drawing more than 17,000 participants each year. From gardening and conservation to sustainability, wellness, and creativity, TBG provides a diverse range of learning opportunities.

TBG is a hub for nature enthusiasts with 2,900 members, 130+ dedicated volunteers, and 30 member organizations, all contributing to a growing and passionate network of nature lovers.

Join Our Team and Help Inspire Toronto’s Connection with Nature!

The Toronto Botanical Garden’s vision is to be renowned for its display of nature’s beauty and as a dynamic hub for plant-centered learning, conservation, and research. As TBG continues its transformative growth into a 35-acre site welcoming over 1 million visitors annually, volunteers will play a critical role in achieving this vision.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and detail-oriented Coordinator, Volunteer Services to join our team. Reporting to the Director of Learning, this role is perfect for someone who thrives on building community and empowering volunteers. You will help foster a welcoming and inclusive environment, recruit and train new volunteers, and serve as the key liaison between staff and volunteers to achieve TBG’s goals.

What You Bring:

• Experience Volunteer Coordination: You have 1-3 years of experience working with volunteers, in volunteer management or equivalent experience (e.g. human resources), ideally in a not-for-profit setting. You thrive on building community and empowering volunteers, bringing enthusiasm and creativity to fostering meaningful connections. Post- secondary education in a related field is an asset.
• Strong Organizational Skills: You excel at managing multiple priorities, maintaining accurate records, and using volunteer management software effectively.
• Excellent Interpersonal Skills: Collaborative and approachable, you are skilled at building relationships with volunteers and staff, ensuring everyone feels supported and valued.
• Connection-Centered Approach: You are eager to learn about volunteers—their skills, needs, and interests—and adept at matching them with roles where they can contribute meaningfully and thrive.
• Capacity for Learning: You have experience with the Microsoft Office suite. You are adaptable and quick to learn new systems and software to improve processes and support organizational efficiency.
• Adaptability and Patience: You thrive in a dynamic environment and approach challenges with a positive, proactive mindset.

Your Roles and Responsibilities

In this role, you will play a pivotal part in fostering a vibrant and inclusive volunteer community that strengthens the mission and impact of the Toronto Botanical Garden.

By building meaningful connections, streamlining volunteer coordination, and creating opportunities for meaningful engagement, you will help amplify the contributions of TBG’s dedicated volunteers.

Volunteer Coordination (40%)

• Oversee TBG’s Volunteer Program, including recruitment, interviews, onboarding, training, and evaluation.
• Collaborate with staff to assess needs, develop volunteer roles, and ensure effective placement and support for events, services, and programs.
• Use volunteer management software to create and manage roles, shifts, and scheduling while maintaining accurate records.
• Respond to volunteer inquiries and provide initial onboarding tours to ensure consistent introduction to and knowledge of TBG.
• Organize volunteer recognition initiatives and events to celebrate contributions.
• Provide on-site support and pre-event training for large-scale events that involve multiple volunteers.

Corporate Volunteer Program (5%)

• Coordinate corporate volunteer activities in partnership with the Development department and other teams.
• Serve as the main point of contact for corporate groups looking for team volunteering, offering orientation and on-site support for their activities.

Visitor Engagement Support (Tours and Reception) (40%)

• Recruit, train, and oversee volunteer tour guides and receptionists, ensuring they have the tools and information needed to perform their roles.
• Support development of of tour scripts in collaboration with the horticulture team and our partners at the Toronto Master Gardeners.
• Provide ongoing communication to ensure reception and front-line volunteers are updated with relevant information to assist visitors effectively.

Administrative Responsibilities (10%)

• Track program metrics, including volunteer hours and feedback, to report on outcomes for grants and organizational needs.
• Provide references/testimonies for volunteers as required.
• Maintain and update volunteer-related content on TBG’s website and other promotional channels.
• Monitor the general TBG email and phone line as needed, updating FAQs and messaging.

General Support and Other Duties (5%)

• Support TBG’s sustainability initiatives and contribute to the success of its events and programs.
• Provide hands-on assistance during events, including set-up and coordination.

Why Join TBG?

• A Time of Exciting Growth: Join TBG during a transformative period as we work towards becoming one of Toronto’s leading natural and cultural assets.
• Career Development: Develop your skills in volunteer management, community building, and event coordination.
• Collaborative Team: Work alongside a dedicated team of staff and volunteers who are passionate about sustainability and the beauty of the natural world.
• Meaningful Impact: Support TBG’s mission to help connect people to plants through our nature-focused programs.

Ready to make an impact? Apply now to join our team!

The deadline to apply is Friday, January 10. Please apply to the position and share your resume, and a one-page cover letter. Apply here. Please indicate you saw this posting at GoodWork.ca.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Extended health care including Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Accidental Death, and Employee Assistance Program
• Vacation and Holiday Pay, along with Wellness and Give-back days
• Toronto Botanical Garden Membership
• Free Parking
• Along with many other benefits of working in a creative and beautiful place

Equal Opportunity Employer

Toronto Botanical Garden is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a welcoming, safe, diverse, and inclusive environment. TBG's workplace has a long-standing policy of providing fair, equitable, and accessible opportunities for all employees and prospective employees. TBG encourages all qualified applicants for employment regardless of age, race, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, or disability status.

Location: 777 Lawrence Avenue East, Toronto, ON / For more information, visit torontobotanicalgarden.ca.

Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $45,000.00-$58,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company events
• Dental care
• On-site parking
• Paid time off
• Store discount

Flexible language requirement:

• French not required

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Secondary School (preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in North York, ON M3C 1P2

Application deadline: 2025-01-12
Expected start date: 2025-02-17