Volunteer Coordinator

Who We Are

Nicholas House’s mission is to help families who are experiencing homelessness and support them through their crisis. Nicholas House helps families who are struggling to pay rent, move into affordable homes, get themselves to work and their children off to school, and ultimately lift themselves up and out of poverty and toward a better life.

We are seeking a Volunteer Coordinator to lead our organization’s volunteer program, by creating meaningful and impactful engagement experiences for volunteers and community members. This position is responsible for ensuring optimal attention, support, and retention of volunteers. The Volunteer Coordinator works in tandem with programs, ensuring that needs are explored and identified, utilizing active inquiry, experiential learning and continuous adjustment/improvement. The overarching goal of this position is to increase and improve meaningful points of engagement for current and potential volunteers. This position reports to the Director of Development and is part of operations that include general fundraising, events, communications, donor solicitation, special campaigns, and evaluation.

What You’ll Do

• Implement and manage an effective volunteer program, which includes collaborating with program staff to identify current and future volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups; providing education, support, and hands-on help to staff to ensure volunteers have a positive and rewarding experience; and engaging volunteers in in-kind drives, awareness campaigns, fundraising efforts, and social engagement opportunities.
• Have a complete understanding of all volunteer roles and duties and create policies and procedures that outline these roles and duties.
• Recruit, screen, orient and retain new volunteers and craft onboarding process to include education about poverty, homelessness, and the mission of Nicholas House.
• Provide ongoing education to volunteers regarding poverty, hunger, homelessness, and ways volunteers can make an impact.
• Maintain active, timely communication with individual volunteers and the larger base of constituents
• Maintains volunteer database and calendars for up to date information on contacts Maintains volunteer filing system

SKILLS & ABILITIES NEEDED

• Business acumen.
• Excellent writing, editorial and verbal skills Excellent people skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Results oriented with a passion to make an impact
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills and efficient time management
• Excellent working knowledge of technology, including internet search, Microsoft Office Suite, databases
• Excellent interpersonal skills, enthusiasm and flexibility

QUALIFICATIONS

A bachelor’s degree and minimum 2 years of administrative assistant experience or a more substantial record of progressively responsible experience as an administrative or Volunteer Coordinator. Must be a motivated self-starter able to work independently, as well as collaboratively in a team environment. Must have strong organizational skills, be detail-oriented, able to set and meet multiple deadlines and have excellent verbal/written communication. Should have the self-assurance and the ability to work well with persons from any background.  Strong computer skills and internet search/use capability needed and experience with all Microsoft Office Suite software with an emphasis on Word, Excel, or other database systems. Experience with Bloomerang database is a plus but not required.  Experience in a non-profit organization involved with fundraising campaigns/events and service programs preferred.

Who You Are & Keys to Success (the must-haves)

To be successful in this job, you will excel in five areas:

• Relationship-building: You develop and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders to the organization, the Nicholas House Board of Directors, and Nicholas House staff. You come across as genuine and builds authentic relationships and follows through on commitments.
• Drive to achieve results: You have a track record of accomplishing ambitious goals and getting results even when there are obstacles. You set a high bar and meet it, because you think three (or 30) steps ahead to anticipate hurdles and come up with pragmatic solutions. You plan backwards and involve others appropriately. Holds a high bar even when things are hectic.
• Manages volume of work with efficiency: Has, or can create, a system for keeping tasks from slipping through the cracks. Able to juggle competing demands and prioritize without sacrificing quality. Plans backwards to make deadlines.
• Entrepreneurial and resourceful: Consistently overcomes challenges and leverages resources to creatively solve problems. Proposes solutions to issues without much guidance (but isn’t afraid to ask questions). Proactively asks for help, anticipates problems, and course-corrects where needed.
• Attention to detail: Notices and fixes errors that others might overlook. Acknowledges mistakes and turns them into learning opportunities. Has a track record of leaving things better than they found them.

lf You Were Here Right Now, You Would Be:

• Evaluating volunteer management systems to incorporate into the website to allow online volunteer sign-ups and automatic communication with volunteers to streamline work.
• Working with the Director of Development on engagement strategies to convert volunteers to organization donors and to incorporate donors into volunteer opportunities.
• Developing spring communication plans for donors and volunteers.
• Closing all of the end-of-year in-kind donation programs and volunteer requests, which is one of our busiest times of the year.

What Else You Should Know

• The position is part-time between 20-25 hours per week.
• The Volunteer Coordinator position is a hybrid position, with work in the office and work from home.
• The salary for this position ranges from $16-$19 per hour or up to $20K annually, with the exact wages depending on experience.

How to Apply Please send a cover letter and resume to Tanya Watkins at development@nicholashouse[dot]org.  No phone calls please.