Coordinator, Volunteer Program

About the role

The Volunteer Program Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that the day-to-day operations of the Medical Center Volunteer Program are running smoothly. This role has direct responsibility for several volunteer programs and supports the overall volunteer department with volunteer recruitment, placement, training, and management to meet staffing goals. The Coordinator is also responsible for providing exceptional customer service to volunteers, creating a supportive environment where volunteers feel useful, engaged, and appreciated.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the day-to-day Medical Center Volunteer Program is running smoothly and that all essential shelter operational tasks are completed each day by providing consistent and thorough floor management.
• Train and onboard new volunteers, ensuring that all required protocols are followed and that volunteers are working efficiently and safely.
• Ensure regular operations by overseeing volunteer tasks and assigning duties, such as dog walking, cleaning, laundry, and other chores.
• Ensure that supplies for volunteer tasks are ordered and in stock, so that volunteers have the tools they need to complete essential shelter operations tasks.
• Together with the team, understand the daily and weekly volunteer schedule and prioritize volunteer tasks and deploy the day’s volunteer workforce appropriately.
• Alongside the Volunteer Program Manager, identify and cultivate additional opportunities and advanced roles for volunteers by working and consulting with Medical Center departments.
• Set a positive tone, ensuring morale remains high through a positive, respectful, and engaging environment for volunteers.
• Build strong relationships with volunteers to know better their interests, preferences, and capabilities to effectively match those against the needs and opportunities at PAWS Chicago.
• Partner with other departments to work effectively with volunteers and ensure staff interactions with volunteers are always positive and constructive.
• Be responsible for following 5S principles to maintain the Medical Center and ensure smooth operational flow.
• Maintain and leverage the Volgistics database of volunteers, ensuring the volunteer data is robust, accurate, and managed to effectively recruit volunteers.
• Create and pull reports, assist with monthly data audits, and oversee day-to-day database administration.
• Be responsible for assigned volunteer programs, including recruitment, communication, training, stewardship, and advancement.
• As a member of the Volunteer Program team, participate in team meetings and contribute to overall volunteer program strategies around recruitment, training, retention, and recognition.
• Work on special management and operational projects as assigned.
• Participate in large PAWS Chicago events (some held at the Medical Center; others held off-site) as needed, sharing responsibilities with other members of management team.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Minimum 3 years volunteer coordination, development, or related experience with knowledge of the professional standards for volunteer coordination.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to represent the mission, goals, policies, and core values of PAWS Chicago in a creative and energetic manner.
• Commitment to enhancing and evolving strong and professional volunteer and customer service programs.
• Strong computer skills in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel; experience with Volgistics or CRM databases a plus.
• Exceptionally strong interpersonal skills and the ability to forge effective relationships with a wide variety of people under a wide variety of circumstances.
• Proven organizational skills with attention to detail to manage logistically-intensive programs.
• Excellent public speaking skills.
• Ability to self-motivate, multi-task, and work well under pressure in a dynamic, team environment.
• Flexibility with schedule for days/evenings and weekdays/weekends as needed.
• Ability to travel between multiple PAWS locations as needed.
• Passion for animals and animal welfare.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, including ancillary options and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Blue Cross Blue Shield.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match.
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick days, and holidays.