Volunteer Experience Manager - Wildlife Victoria

Permanent | Full-time | Abbotsford Convent, with travel across Victoria

- Lead the people, culture and wellbeing agenda for more than 1,400 volunteers across Victoria
- Bring your HR, workplace relations and organisational development expertise to a respected wildlife not-for-profit
- Partner with the Head of People to make Wildlife Victoria a volunteering organisation of choice

The Organisation

Wildlife Victoria is a not-for-profit organisation that has provided the Victorian community with a Wildlife Emergency Response service since 1989. With approximately 70 staff and more than 1,400 volunteers, Wildlife Victoria receives more than 180,000 requests for help each year and assists over 100,000 native animals.

The rescue service relies on a statewide network of rescue and transport volunteers, veterinarians who provide pro bono services, and licensed carers and shelters who rehabilitate and release wildlife. Wildlife Victoria also operates its own Wildlife Travelling Veterinary Service, advocates for wildlife welfare, and delivers education programs that support positive co-existence between people and wildlife.

The Role

Reporting to the Head of People, the Volunteer Experience Manager is responsible for the experience, culture, safety and performance of Wildlife Victoria's volunteer workforce. The role applies best-practice HR, organisational development and change management approaches to design and run programs that connect volunteers to the organisation, support their wellbeing, and keep them aligned with Wildlife Victoria's values.

Acting as the pulse of the volunteer community, the Volunteer Experience Manager ensures the volunteer perspective is considered in the organisation's culture, planning and activities. The role is hands-on and field-based,



with regular travel to meet volunteers and wildlife carers across the state.

Key Responsibilities

- Work with the Head of People, People Services team and CEO to develop and implement the volunteer experience strategy, covering culture, values, safety, conduct, performance, leadership and development
- Design and deliver programs that strengthen volunteer connection, capability and retention, including mentoring, leadership development and regional volunteer hubs
- Manage volunteer performance, conduct, grievance and dispute matters, including investigations and disciplinary processes, and support complex employee matters by exception
- Lead volunteer health, safety and wellbeing, including risk registers, incident and injury management, and claims
- Develop and maintain volunteer policies, procedures, contracts and resources
- Visit volunteers and wildlife carers across Victoria to build relationships, understand local needs and resolve local issues
- Support local volunteers and their deployment during emergencies such as fires, severe weather and natural disasters
- Partner with the Volunteer Engagement Manager on the volunteer value proposition, volunteer stories and recognition
- Lead and support training events for staff and volunteers, including some weekend and out-of-hours work
- Monitor, evaluate and report on program outcomes to the Head of People, Leadership Team and Board

Key Selection Criteria

- Tertiary qualification in HR, law,



commerce or a related discipline
- Minimum three to five years' experience in human resources, ideally across business partnering, workplace relations or organisational development
- Broad case management experience, including grievances, disputes, investigations, misconduct, terminations, and safety and injury matters
- Experience developing and delivering engagement or organisational development programs, such as mentoring or coaching
- Experience leading change management and culture initiatives
- Mature, calm judgement in managing confidential, emotive and complex people issues, including through crisis
- Solid writing, communication, facilitation and relationship-building skills
- A genuine desire to work with a volunteer workforce and an understanding of its unique challenges
- Experience managing and engaging a volunteer workforce
- Not-for-profit and community engagement experience
- Experience with Salesforce CRM
- Mediation or coaching qualifications or experience
- A genuine interest in wildlife

Requirements

- Right to work in Australia
- Current driver's licence and access to a roadworthy vehicle (kilometres reimbursed)
- Ability to travel frequently throughout Victoria
- Availability for scheduled weekend and out-of-hours work, particularly during summer and training seasons

Benefits of Working with Wildlife Victoria

- Competitive remuneration
- Time in lieu for non-standard hours
- Flexible work options where possible
- The opportunity to support the volunteers at the heart of Victoria's wildlife rescue and care network

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Wildlife Victoria and Patterson Recruitment are committed to an inclusive and respectful workplace, and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.

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📌 Volunteer Experience Manager (Melbourne)
🏢 Patterson Recruitment Pty
📍 Melbourne