General Manager

Job Description

Job Description

General Manager

Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium
3450 Ortiz Avenue, Fort Myers, FL 33905

Salary: $42,000--$47,000 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

• Support setup, breakdown, staffing coordination, and guest flow for events and fundraisers
• 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
• 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/HR 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 | [email protected]

Learn more about our organization at