Volunteer Coordinator - AmeriCorps

North Helpline is proud to be a partner site for Washington Service Corps. Volunteers through this program receive a stipend, education award upon successful completion of service, training, health coverage, and childcare assistance if eligible. Currently, North Helpline is seeking three AmeriCorps members to serve our neighbors. Positions would start September 1st and continue until May 15th (8.5 months). Members who serve in these roles work directly with our neighbors to provide access to nutritious food. Members will direct volunteers to ensure operations run efficiently.

These positions require members to stand for long periods and be able to lift 30lbs repetitively. Members serving in this position will need to go into a freezer and work in the warehouse which is not climate controlled. Applicants should have moderate computer abilities. Ability to speak a second language (Spanish, Mandarin, Ukrainian, Russian, Tigrinya) is highly desired.

At North Helpline we work with over 1,200 volunteers to deliver our services. The Volunteer Coordinator will arrange volunteer shifts and manage schedules for our food banks in Lake City and Bitter Lake. The member in this position will work with outside organizations to recruit new volunteers and walk them through initial onboarding and training. This member will spend the majority of their time directly interacting with volunteers to make their experience as enriching as possible. This will include hosting weekly orientations, scheduled trainings and bi-yearly volunteer appreciation events.

Being in this role will require excellent time keeping as several calendars are used between sites and projects. Regular communication with volunteers, groups and outside organizations will be needed to develop strong relationships. A large part of this role will entail actively recruiting volunteers by going to schools, neighbor events and talking to neighbors. The Volunteer Coordinator will regularly lead groups of 18-20 volunteers and provide on the spot coaching as well as respond to paperwork and scheduling requests to ensure volunteers have the tools needed to feel comfortable in their role.

Responsibilities:

• Manage multiple calendars to ensure coverage at two sites and over several programs;
• Maintain accurate record of volunteer hours, profiles and confidential information;
• Work with partner organizations including religious organizations, schools and neighborhood groups to actively recruit volunteers;
• Directly work with universities, senior programs, and work source organizations on long term volunteer programs;
• Train and coach volunteers to best serve our neighbors;
• Offer regular communication to volunteers and partners about upcoming events, new positions and trainings, and other information;
• Lead new volunteers through orientation and on-boarding;
• Respond to scheduling requests and paperwork needs from volunteers and partner organizations;
• Provide monthly reporting to departments;
• Assist food bank in daily operations as needed;
• Answer incoming calls, emails and texts from volunteers, groups, and other organizations in a timely and professional manner;
• Actively recognize volunteers and show appreciation for their time;
• Direct volunteers in tasks and set up, running and take down of food bank distribution, sorting and delivery programs.

Qualifications

• Excellent organization skills to manage multiple calendars and communication with several partner organizations at once
• Careful attention to detail
• Ability to lead large groups of volunteers from a variety of backgrounds, ages, skill levels and abilities
• Comfortable talking to large groups and at events
• Strong time management skills
• Coordination skills to facilitate working with team members
• Comfortable working in a shared dynamic work environment
• Commitment to building an anti-racist organization
• Great communication skills to meet neighbors and volunteers where they are at
• Moderate computer skills required
• Bi/Multilingual a plus but not required

Physical Requirements:

This position will require staff members to stand for long periods of time and be able to lift 30lbs repetitively. Staff serving in this position will need to go into a freezer and work in the warehouse which is not climate controlled.