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

Strong 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 n

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