An Interview with Niki Marengo of Great Parks of Hamilton County

Name: Niki Marengo 
Title:  Volunteer Coordinator
Employer:  Great Parks of Hamilton County  
Graduation Year:  2017

1.   How has your time in the MPA program contributed to your career?

       

       Answer:  In the non-profit track, my first class was Volunteer Management – a career I had never even considered.  Soon after that class, Great Parks of Hamilton County, one of the top employers on my wish list, posted a position for Volunteer Coordinator.  Of 250 applications, I got the job! I’m confident that NKU’s program played a part in that.  I have used skills from the degree in strategic planning, research methods, program evaluation and human resources  that have really helped to push my department forward.

2.   As a volunteer coordinator, what is a typical day (or week) in this position?  

       Answer:  I am part of a two-person team that manages over 700 long-term volunteers (we’re essentially the HR for an unpaid work force!) and 1,000 drop-in volunteers annually.  Great Parks has 17 parks, 4 nature preserves and a HUGE staff. There is no ‘typical day’, which is what I love about the job!  Generally though, I’m coordinating with staff from all over the park district to place new volunteers or community groups and addressing volunteer concerns.  I’m in charge of large, community events and teen volunteer trainings. So I’m generally in the process of planning, executing and marketing one of these events to engage the public at any given time.  I also like that the parks encourages staff to get engaged in committees so that they meet new people and get engaged in projects outside of the job role, so I do that as often as possible.

3.   What is the most rewarding part of your job?  

       Answer:  Working somewhere that does good things. Somewhere that connects people to their passion, helps create fond memories for people, protects our natural spaces and makes our communities a better place to live.  I’m very proud of our park system.