General Manager
Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium 3450 Ortiz Avenue, Fort Myers, FL 33905
Salary: $37,000-$42,000 annually Job Type: Full-time, Exempt Work Location: In person Schedule: Full-time; evenings, weekends, and holidays as required for events and public operations Reports To: Executive Director
About Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium (CNCP)
Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium (CNCP) is a nonprofit organization with the mission of “Inspiring People to Connect with Nature.” CNCP focuses on the care of non-releasable rehabilitated wildlife, environmental education, astronomy, and ecological well-being for the Southwest Florida community and visiting guests.
Position Summary
The General Manager serves as the primary on-site leader responsible for the daily operations of Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium. This role oversees staff and volunteer supervision, visitor services, programs, events, memberships, rentals, and front desk operations while ensuring a high-quality visitor experience and alignment with CNCP’s mission.
Working closely with the Executive Director, the General Manager supports operational goals, outreach efforts, administrative functions, and community engagement while ensuring organizational policies, safety standards, and nonprofit best practices are consistently followed.
Essential Duties & ResponsibilitiesOperations & Facility Management
Oversee daily public operations to ensure a safe, efficient, and welcoming environment
Ensure exhibits, animal areas, public spaces, and front desk operations are visitor-ready
Coordinate basic facility maintenance, supplies, and vendor communications
Ensure compliance with safety, child protection, OSHA, and operational protocols
Manage CNCP facility rentals, including scheduling and on-site coordination
Staff, Intern & Volunteer Leadership
Supervise front desk staff, assistants, interns, and volunteers
Coordinate staffing schedules for daily operations, programs, and special events
Support onboarding, training, and day-to-day supervision of staff and volunteers
Manage the CNCP volunteer program in coordination with department leaders
Utilize the POINT volunteer management system for scheduling, communication, and tracking volunteer hours
Visitor Services & Front Desk Oversight
Oversee admissions, memberships, retail sales, and daily operational reporting
Manage the CNCP membership department and produce accurate membership reports
Ensure accurate attendance tracking, cash handling, and record keeping
Respond to visitor inquiries in person, by phone, and via email
Maintain an organized, professional, and welcoming front desk environment
Programs, Events & Planetarium Support
Coordinate logistics for planetarium shows, public programs, field trips, camps, rentals, and special events
Support setup, breakdown, staffing coordination, and guest flow for events and fundraisers
Assist with scheduling and operational support for planetarium programming
Provide operational support for development of special events, fundraising activities, and educational programming
Education, Outreach & Community Engagement
Support school field trips, camps, and group visits through staffing coordination and on-site oversight
Assist with outreach initiatives, partnerships, and community events
Use CRM tools to support outreach efforts, track contacts, and assist with communications and follow-up
Administrative, Reporting & Compliance
Direct office activities to maintain efficiency and compliance with CNCP policies
Oversee telephone services, email correspondence, and mail distribution
Maintain filing systems, records, schedules, incident reports, and meeting documentation
Provide general data entry, basic bookkeeping, and expense tracking
Maintain inventory of office supplies and coordinate office equipment maintenance
Maintain accurate records of incoming and outgoing donations and donor correspondence
Provide regular operational updates and reports to the Executive Director
Attend scheduled meetings as required
Perform other related duties as assigned
Qualifications & Requirements
High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate’s degree preferred
Prior experience in operations, volunteer coordination, nonprofit administration, museums, education, hospitality, or customer service strongly preferred
QuickBooks and Microsoft O365 experience preferred
Strong organizational, leadership, and supervisory skills
Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, and customer service skills
Excellent time management skills with proven ability to meet deadlines
Ability to multitask, prioritize, and function effectively in a fast-paced environment
Ability to think creatively, take initiative, and solve problems independently
Strong computer skills (Outlook, Word, Excel, POINT, scheduling systems, CRM tools)
Ability to stand, walk, assist with light lifting, and support event setup
Flexible availability for weekdays, weekends, holidays, and special events
Comfortable working around wildlife under staff supervision (reptiles, mammals, birds, insects, etc.)
Must comply with all departmental, facility, and OSHA safety guidelines
Background Check
This position requires interaction with children and the public. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of fingerprinting and a criminal background check.
How to Apply
For more information, please contact Eric Raddatz, Executive Director, at 239-275-3435 | eraddatz@calusanature.org
Learn more about our organization at www.calusanature.org