Program Manager, Group Volunteering (Full-time w/ benefits)
Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy
Full-time
On-site
San Francisco, California, United States
Compensation and Benefits
Program Manager, Group Volunteering
Organization Description:
Since 1981, the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy (Parks Conservancy) has served as the nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, collaborating with the Presidio Trust, partners, donors, and the community to support the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). The GGNRA stretches across three Bay Area counties north and south of the Golden Gate Bridge and includes iconic places such as Muir Woods National Monument, Fort Point National Historic Site, Alcatraz Island, Crissy Field, Mori Point, Lands End, and the Presidio of San Francisco.
The Parks Conservancy engages at the intersection of national park sites, local communities, social justice, and climate resilience. Collaborating with partners, our staff are dedicated to enhancing public awareness and providing volunteer and educational opportunities in the parks. We are park builders, caretakers, ambassadors and educators, all working to connect people to parks in support of our vision Parks for All Forever. Join us.
Branch/Unit Description:
The Volunteers & Internships (V&I) team sits within the Community & Youth branch and leads parkwide volunteer and internship programming in close collaboration with the National Park Service, the Presidio Trust, and One Tam partners. The team supports individual and group volunteers, large-scale community service events, and specialized internship and workforce development programs across the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Position Overview:
This is an exempt, regular position of 40 hours per week.
The Program Manager, Group Volunteering coordinates and manages systems of all aspects of volunteer group programming across the tri-org partnership, including framework development, prioritization systems, data and database management, communications, and program advancement. The position creates and manages a centralized approach to group volunteer experiences—ranging from corporate and community groups to school and affinity groups—supporting both ongoing programs and large community service events. They play a key role on the tri-org volunteer team and help ensure that group volunteers have impactful, well-organized, and welcoming experiences in the parks.
Reports To: Director of Volunteers and Internships
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
Group Programming Operations (primary focus): Provide group programming management (recruitment, scheduling, and day-of support for groups) for community and volunteer events and programs, in collaboration with the Program Manager, Events & Special Projects
- Design and maintain a framework for the central management of parkwide volunteer group programs across the Parks Conservancy, National Park Service, the Presidio Trust, and One Tam programs.
- Manage and organize group volunteer projects, weekly volunteer programs, and community service events for groups, including:
- Tracking Volunteer program events across park
- Partner and site collaboration
- Outreach and media posting
- Correspondence and placement with appropriate programs
- Registration, confirmation, and follow-up
- Data entry and evaluation related to group volunteering
- Support interagency program managers by understanding program needs and priorities for volunteer placement, and by exploring new program opportunities that can be staffed by groups.
- Provide group programming management for large-scale community service events and volunteer program special events (in collaboration with the Program Manager, Special Events & Special Projects).
- Organize, track, and process program expenses related to group programming.
- Create and send group-specific communications to volunteers, program managers, and partners, including confirmations, reminders, day-of details, and follow-up messages.
Volunteer Program Services and First Point of Contact
- Serve as a primary point of contact for potential group volunteers, providing programmatic information, navigation, recommendations, and scheduling support for prospective group experiences.
- Employ and champion a customer service approach that is welcoming, responsive, and aligned with Parks Conservancy values for both internal staff and external partners.
- As scheduling allows, join program teams in the field to better understand group programs, build community and trust, and provide on-the-ground support with leading volunteer projects.
- Represent the Parks Conservancy at professional conferences, community events, and partner meetings related to group and corporate volunteering.
Data, Systems, and Central Volunteer Email
- In collaboration with the Program Manager, Special Events & Special Projects, manage the central volunteer email inbox as the primary hub for parkwide volunteer and group inquiries,with a particular focus on corporate, community, school, and affinity group requests.
- Work closely with the Senior Database Administrator to support the Community Database (e.g. Salesforce or similar), including:
- Maintaining accurate group volunteer records and tracking
- Supporting staff training and adoption for group-program data practices
- Advancing database functionality to better track group experiences and outcomes
- Supporting data analysis, reporting, and program evaluation related to group volunteering
- Aid program leaders in crafting productive and fulfilling group volunteer experiences while helping the Conservancy reach volunteer-related Strategic Plan goals.
Partnerships, Equity, and Program Advancement
- Collaborate with the Membership and Development teams to cross-promote membership programs that cultivate corporate giving and pursue grant and funding opportunities connected to group and corporate volunteering.
- Work closely with Community Engagement and Outreach teams to explore, cultivate, and adopt program practices that equitably engage local individuals and communities that the conservation movement has historically failed to engage (such as communities of color and low-income communities).
- Work closely with tri-org volunteer program teams to understand seasonal needs and priorities for volunteer placement and to explore new group program opportunities across sites.
- Fulfill cross-department and interagency requests such as presentations, data and statistics, and program reports related to group volunteering.
Volunteer and Internships Team and Culture
- Regularly meet with the Director of Volunteers & Internships and the Senior Program Manager, Internships to discuss programming overlaps, shared group-volunteer priorities, and opportunities for collaboration.
- Help develop and maintain a cohesive team dynamic and foster a culture of respect, inclusivity, equity, and teamwork across the V&I team and partner organizations.
Other Duties As Assigned
Supervision: This position does not have regular direct reports but may supervise interns, temporary staff, or volunteers supporting events and special projects, as budget, need, and availability allow.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Demonstrated experience coordinating group volunteer programs, corporate service days, community service events, or similar group-based programs.
- Strong skills in relationship-building and partner cultivation with community organizations, schools, corporate partners, and public agency staff.
- Excellent organizational and project management skills; ability to manage complex scheduling, multiple sites, and many simultaneous group requests.
- Strong communication skills, including the ability to write clear, friendly, and informative messages to group leads and program partners.
- Ability to effectively work on diverse teams and with a diverse range of people, inclusive of different backgrounds, ethnicities, genders, sexualities, ages, and viewpoints.
- Ability to center equity and inclusion in decision-making and program design, and to work respectfully with communities historically excluded from outdoor and conservation spaces.
- Comfort working with data and databases (volunteer management systems, CRMs, spreadsheets); ability to learn new systems with training.
- Ability to accept feedback, adapt to changing circumstances, and contribute positively to a collaborative, solutions-oriented environment.
Education and/or Experience:
- Combination of education and experience equivalent to at least 2-3 years in volunteer coordination, community engagement, group program management, corporate or community relations, or a related field.
- Experience working with volunteers, corporate groups, or community partners is strongly desired (including volunteer or lived experience).
- Experience working in or with public agencies, nonprofits, or community-based organizations is strongly preferred.
Certifications or Licenses:
- Valid California driver’s license or ability to obtain, and ability to meet Parks Conservancy driver approval standards if driving is required for the position.
- Current First Aid/CPR certification or willingness to obtain (training may be provided).
Health and Safety:
It is the goal of the Parks Conservancy to create and maintain a safe and healthy workplace. We work to mitigate hazards and risks that may cause harm to employees, consistent with state and federal laws. Employees play an active role in creating a safe and healthy workplace and are expected to comply with all applicable health and safety rules.
Physical Requirements and Work Environments:
- Work is performed in both an office setting and in outdoor park locations, including during group service projects and events.
- Work may include extended periods of sitting at a computer as well as standing and walking on uneven terrain.
- Regularly uses a computer, phone, and standard office equipment.
- Occasionally lifts, carries, or moves materials and supplies up to 25 pounds in support of group volunteer projects.
- Must be able to work outdoors in variable weather conditions while supporting group programs.
Salary/Benefits: The salary for this position is $75,000 per year (Grade 18). To ensure equity across all candidates, we will not be able to negotiate salary. Benefits include a competitive suite of medical, dental, and vision plans, up to 3 weeks of paid vacation plus holidays, personal, and sick days; a 403(b) retirement plan (3% non-elective employer contribution); Employee Assistance Program; employer-matched Commuter Program; employee discounts, and more.
Application deadline date: January 23, 2026.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.
The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Recruitment, placement and promotions are conducted without regard to an individual's race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical handicap, veteran status or sexual orientation, or any other classification protected by Federal, State, and local laws & ordinances. We will consider qualified candidates with criminal history in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.