Title:  Senior Volunteer Coordinator

• Lead and support Auckland Zoo’s volunteer community
• Permanent part-time role working Wednesday to Saturday
• Help create memorable experiences for every zoo visitor
• Salary range between $70K - $78K

He angitūtanga: The opportunity

Auckland Zoo has an exciting permanent part-time opportunity for a Senior Volunteer Coordinator to join our Volunteer Programme team, working 32 hours per week from Wednesday to Saturday. Supporting the Manager Volunteer Programme, you’ll help develop and deliver the Zoo’s Volunteer Programme strategy while taking ownership of key areas of its day-to-day operation. Working closely with Volunteer Coordinators and teams across the zoo, you’ll lead and support volunteers to create positive visitor interactions and consistently enhance the overall zoo experience. This is a hands-on role that includes working at least one Volunteer Coordinator shift each week and providing additional cover when required.

In this role, you will:

• Help develop the Volunteer Programme strategy and annual delivery plan, ensuring volunteer roles and activities align with the Zoo’s Strategic Roadmap and operational needs.
• Lead best-practice volunteer recruitment, induction, training and development, including maintaining resources and providing individual coaching and support.
• Coordinate daily programme delivery, including volunteer rosters, workloads, records and reporting, while championing the effective use of the Volgistics database.
• Support and coach Volunteer Coordinators, monitor operational performance and identify trends, concerns and opportunities to continuously improve the programme and visitor experience.
• Build strong relationships across the zoo and ensure volunteers are informed, trained and supported to work safely, including understanding relevant health and safety requirements and emergency procedures.

Click this link to access the Position Description

He kōrero mōu: About you

You’ll be an experienced and supportive people leader with a proven ability to deliver a complex volunteer or similar programme, including recruiting, supervising, motivating, training and developing people. You’ll lead by example and bring a genuine commitment to delivering outstanding customer service and visitor experiences. Your excellent communication and relationship-building skills will help you work effectively across a diverse organisation, manage performance, resolve conflict and guide people confidently through change. You’ll also be highly organised and detail-focused, comfortable using Microsoft Office and volunteer or customer databases, and committed to building positive relationships with people from all cultural backgrounds. As the role involves regularly moving around the zoo, you’ll need a reasonable level of physical fitness.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• A bachelor’s-level qualification in teaching, adult learning, social sciences or a related field, or equivalent relevant practical experience.
• At least three years’ experience in a leadership role, with the confidence and judgement to work independently and take sole charge when required.
• Experience coordinating large groups of people, preferably volunteers, together with experience in adult learning, coaching and mentoring.
• Strong visitor engagement, customer service and relationship-management experience gained within a complex working environment.

Please note: This is a 32 hours per week role working Wednesday to Saturday

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: What we offer

We offer a competitive remuneration package, generous holiday allowance, and the pleasure of working in an award-winning Zoo. You will also have access to the full range of Tātaki Auckland Council benefits – we have a range of discounts and deals with corporate suppliers which cover financial services, health, retail and hospitality discounts to name a few. To find out more click this link

We're a hard-working close-knit team that are passionate about Auckland Zoo’s mission to build a future for wildlife and wild places, and we’re looking for like-minded individuals that share our values. 

Apply now via our careers site or using the button below, and ensure you attach a bespoke covering letter that is written for this position. We want to know why you're interested in this role and what makes you a great fit!

For more information on Auckland Zoo, please visit https://www.aucklandzoo.co.nz/ and reach out to discoveryandlearning@aucklandzoo.co.nz if you have any questions.

Applications close Sunday 11 October 2026

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and we are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.