Nonprofit
Published 10/29/25 1:46PM

Volunteer Staff Role : Volunteer Coordinator

Hybrid, Volunteer must be in or near Columbus, OH
I Want to Help


  • Details

    Available Times:
    Weekdays (daytime, evenings), Weekends (daytime, evenings)
    Time Commitment:
    Flexible
    Commitment Details:
    5–7 hours/week | Minimum 12-month commitment
    Recurrence:
    Recurring
    Volunteers Needed:
    1
    Cause Areas:
    Veterans
    Benefits:
    Training Provided
    Good For:
    Public Groups, Private Corporate Groups
    Participation Requirements:
    Driver’s License, Attend Orientation
    Age Requirement:
    20+

    Description

    Volunteer Staff Role : Volunteer Coordinator

    About Operation Meraki

    Operation Meraki is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to walking alongside veterans and their families as they rebuild, restore, and rediscover purpose after service. We believe healing happens in community, and we lead with compassion, innovation, and transparency — guided by our 90% Pledge, ensuring that 90% of all funds go directly toward veteran services, not overhead.

    We don’t just serve veterans — we see them. We create safe spaces where stories are welcomed, talents are rediscovered, and each person is reminded that their life still has meaning, impact, and untapped chapters waiting to be written.

    Role Overview

    The Volunteer Coordinator is the heartbeat of our volunteer family. In this role, you nurture the people who show up to serve — ensuring they feel supported, valued, equipped, and connected. You are the bridge between passion and purpose, helping each volunteer find their place to make a meaningful impact on the lives of veterans and their families.

    Your leadership will shape the culture of our volunteer force, creating an environment where service is joyful, meaningful, and rooted in empathy.

    Key Responsibilities

    • Support the recruitment, onboarding, and placement of volunteers across programs
    • Build and maintain a positive, encouraging, and inclusive culture for all volunteers
    • Schedule, organize, and communicate volunteer assignments for events, programs, and outreach efforts
    • Check in regularly with volunteers to provide support, encouragement, and feedback
    • Coordinate orientation, training, and development opportunities for volunteers
    • Track volunteer hours, engagement, and retention to ensure a healthy volunteer pipeline
    • Collaborate with program leads to match volunteers with meaningful opportunities
    • Celebrate milestones, acknowledge service, and uplift the stories of our volunteers
    • Maintain confidential records and uphold Operation Meraki’s mission, values, and 90% Pledge

    Ideal Candidate

    • A natural encourager who believes in the power of community and service
    • Excellent communicator with a heart for people and relationship-building
    • Organized, dependable, and skilled at coordinating many moving pieces
    • Experience in volunteer management, HR, community engagement, or team leadership is helpful (not required)
    • Comfortable using email, basic tech tools, and simple databases for communication and tracking
    • Values compassion, integrity, inclusion, and accountability
    • Passionate about uplifting veterans, military families, and those seeking to rediscover purpose

    Training & Support Provided

    • Onboarding and orientation to Operation Meraki’s culture, mission, and programs
    • Ongoing mentorship from the Executive Director
    • Access to leadership development and trauma-informed service training
    • Opportunities to grow into expanded leadership roles within the organization

    What You Gain

    • Experience in nonprofit leadership and people development
    • Skills in community engagement, volunteer management, and organizational culture-building
    • The chance to create a lasting impact in the lives of veterans and their families
    • Purpose-driven community and meaningful relationships
    • A role that allows you to lead with heart and leave a legacy of service

    Commitment & Reporting Structure

    • Reports directly to the Executive Director
    • Attend monthly staff/leadership meetings
    • Estimated 5–7 hours per week, with occasional weekends for events
    • Minimum 12-month commitment to ensure relationship continuity

    Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

    Operation Meraki welcomes and values diversity. We encourage individuals of every background, identity, lived experience, and ability to apply. Veterans, military spouses, military-connected individuals, and those with a heart for serving the veteran community are strongly encouraged to join us.

    Location

    Hybrid
    Volunteer must be in or near Columbus, OH
    Associated Location
    4182 Worth Ave, Columbus, Ohio, US

    Please fill out this form

    Instructions:

    How to Apply

    Please submit your application through Idealist or email a brief introduction and resume to: shelli.johnson@operationmeraki.org and cc michael.thomas@operationmeraki.org

    Subject: Volunteer Coordinator Application – [Your Name]

    Tell us why this mission speaks to you — formality optional, authenticity encouraged.

    All fields are required
    I acknowledge that use of the Idealist Applicant Tracking System is subject to Idealist's Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
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