Volunteer Coordinator
To apply, CLICK HERE to submit resume and cover letter (all items are required).
Job Title: Volunteer Coordinator
Department: Operations
Reports To: Chief Operations Officer
Supervises: No Supervisory Duties
Status: Part Time
Hours: 40 hours/week
Salary: $37,000
Department: Operations
Reports To: Chief Operations Officer
Supervises: No Supervisory Duties
Status: Part Time
Hours: 40 hours/week
Salary: $37,000
About Us:
JOURNEYS | The Road Home is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing comprehensive services and shelter to individuals and families experiencing homelessness and housing instability. Our mission is to empower those we serve to achieve self-sufficiency through a continuum of care that includes housing, supportive services, and community engagement. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion and strive to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all.
Position Overview:
General Summary:
Under the general direction of the Chief Operating Officer (COO), the Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for developing, coordinating, supporting, and enhancing all volunteer programs at JOURNEYS. This position recruits, assists in training, leads the scheduling, and serves as the liaison to volunteers. A key focus is ensuring a positive and impactful experience for both the volunteer and the organization. The Volunteer Coordinator will develop and maintain strategies for ensuring engagement and retention of a skilled volunteer corps to support professional staff and enhance the quantity and quality of services available to clients. Additionally, this role ensures volunteers are well prepared to provide compassionate, effective support to individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
The Volunteer Coordinator serves as the entry point of contact for volunteer engagement, including outreach, onboarding, and training. This position plays a key role in building strong relationships with community partners, civic groups, faith communities, and individuals who want to support the work of JOURNEYS. This position will also serve as a key resource to external groups and represent JOURNEYS at community events.
The ideal candidate is organized, people-centered, detail-oriented, and comfortable balancing operational tasks with volunteer leadership in a fast-paced, compassionate environment. This position will require some travel to locations in suburban Cook County area for recruitment and will otherwise be in person at our facility in Palatine.
Key Responsibilities:
VOLUNTEER PROGRAM OVERSIGHT | 50%
VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT | 20%
VOLUNTEER ONBOARDING AND TRAINING | 20%
ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS | 10%
Qualifications
Ideal Qualities
Work Environment
No Calls Please.
JOURNEYS is a safe, inclusive workplace and encourages all who may be interested in the position to apply. We strongly encourage those with the following identities to apply: Black and indigenous people, Latinx people, other people of color, LGBTQIA+, women and non-binary people, people with disabilities, and others with lived experience of homelessness and/or as being part of marginalized communities. While we have a list of preferred qualifications, if you have other experience that you think is related, please apply and tell us about it.
Note: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. In addition, reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
This work is primarily sedentary and requires travel throughout the service area as well as within the greater Chicago area. The work schedule varies depending on the needs and services of the organization. Evening and weekend work is necessary in order to attend meetings or to participate in events. This position will require exerting up to 40 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
To apply, CLICK HERE to submit resume and cover letter (all items are required).
JOURNEYS | The Road Home is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing comprehensive services and shelter to individuals and families experiencing homelessness and housing instability. Our mission is to empower those we serve to achieve self-sufficiency through a continuum of care that includes housing, supportive services, and community engagement. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion and strive to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all.
Position Overview:
General Summary:
Under the general direction of the Chief Operating Officer (COO), the Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for developing, coordinating, supporting, and enhancing all volunteer programs at JOURNEYS. This position recruits, assists in training, leads the scheduling, and serves as the liaison to volunteers. A key focus is ensuring a positive and impactful experience for both the volunteer and the organization. The Volunteer Coordinator will develop and maintain strategies for ensuring engagement and retention of a skilled volunteer corps to support professional staff and enhance the quantity and quality of services available to clients. Additionally, this role ensures volunteers are well prepared to provide compassionate, effective support to individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
The Volunteer Coordinator serves as the entry point of contact for volunteer engagement, including outreach, onboarding, and training. This position plays a key role in building strong relationships with community partners, civic groups, faith communities, and individuals who want to support the work of JOURNEYS. This position will also serve as a key resource to external groups and represent JOURNEYS at community events.
The ideal candidate is organized, people-centered, detail-oriented, and comfortable balancing operational tasks with volunteer leadership in a fast-paced, compassionate environment. This position will require some travel to locations in suburban Cook County area for recruitment and will otherwise be in person at our facility in Palatine.
Key Responsibilities:
VOLUNTEER PROGRAM OVERSIGHT | 50%
- Work closely with all managers/departments to ensure agency volunteer needs are being identified and properly scoped
- Create and maintain volunteer schedules that ensure shifts are filled at all times for key programs
- Conduct background checks and orientations for new volunteers
- Monitor volunteer performance and address any issues or concerns in a timely manner
- Maintain a volunteer database that facilitates the matching of available resources to opportunities
- Oversee and coordinate all volunteer projects from outside groups like “make a difference day”, corporate partner one-day volunteer projects, church impact days, etc. and ensure staff coverage for after business hour projects.
- Field all incoming phone calls regarding all aspects of agency volunteer opportunities.
- Maintain ongoing communication with current and prospective volunteers regarding agency updates
- Host at least one Volunteer Appreciation Day Event per year
- Evaluate volunteer experiences and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Coordinate with Volunteer Leaders and Mentors to identify volunteer needs and program improvements.
- In partnership with department managers, develop internship programs that outline goals and objectives
- Other duties as assigned
VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT | 20%
- Promote volunteer opportunities and represent JOURNEYS at community events, volunteer fairs, and outreach opportunities and maintain volunteer organization memberships
- Develop and implement strategies to recruit new diverse and qualified volunteers from the community, local businesses, schools, faith communities, and civic groups.
- Maintain relationships with partner organizations to expand volunteer pipelines.
- Coordinate with the Communications Team to maintain and update volunteer opportunity listings across recruitment platforms and create campaigns using social media and community partnerships.
- Other duties as assigned
VOLUNTEER ONBOARDING AND TRAINING | 20%
- Facilitate volunteer orientation sessions to introduce the mission, programs, and policies of JOURNEYS and ensure volunteers are trained in safety protocols, trauma-informed engagement, and organizational policies.
- Develop and maintain training materials and handbooks that prepare volunteers to support clients respectfully, safely, and effectively as well as role-specific training for volunteers serving in program areas such as the Hope Center, meal service, administrative support, and special events.
- Other duties as assigned
ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS | 10%
- Maintain accurate volunteer records in the Bloomerang Database
- Track volunteer hours and generate reports to support reporting and grant requirements.
- Verify required service hours
- Assist with background checks, waivers, and documentation for volunteers.
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, social services, communications, or a related field preferred.
- 1–3 years of experience in volunteer coordination, community engagement, nonprofit programs, or related work.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment, manage multiple priorities and complete projects
- Technological competency and willingness to learn new platforms like Bloomerang Volunteer and Sign-Up Genius
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Experience facilitating training or group presentations.
- Ability to build relationships with diverse community members.
- Strong organizational and administrative skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and volunteer or database management systems.
- Commitment to the mission of serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
- Ability to work independently, solve problems and actively seek assistance when needed
- Familiar with the communities within JOURNEYS service area
- Ability to maintain appropriate boundaries with staff, volunteers and clients in all circumstances
Ideal Qualities
- Relationship building
- Dynamic and Persuasive public speaker
- Organization and attention to detail
- Problem-solving and adaptability
- Subscription to and integration of the agency’s core values of Respect, Teamwork, Mission-Driven and Commitment
- Apply common sense understanding to carry out duties
Work Environment
- Primarily based at the Hope Center in Palatine, Illinois.
- Some evening and/or weekend hours may be required to support volunteer schedules or events.
- Ability to perform repetitive motions related to food service tasks.
- Ability to move throughout office spaces and common areas.
- Ability to lift up to 25 pounds (supplies, office materials).
- Ability to sit or stand for extended periods.
- Time management
- Adaptability
- Other Duties as assigned
No Calls Please.
JOURNEYS is a safe, inclusive workplace and encourages all who may be interested in the position to apply. We strongly encourage those with the following identities to apply: Black and indigenous people, Latinx people, other people of color, LGBTQIA+, women and non-binary people, people with disabilities, and others with lived experience of homelessness and/or as being part of marginalized communities. While we have a list of preferred qualifications, if you have other experience that you think is related, please apply and tell us about it.
Note: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. In addition, reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
This work is primarily sedentary and requires travel throughout the service area as well as within the greater Chicago area. The work schedule varies depending on the needs and services of the organization. Evening and weekend work is necessary in order to attend meetings or to participate in events. This position will require exerting up to 40 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
To apply, CLICK HERE to submit resume and cover letter (all items are required).
