Out of the Cold Volunteer Coordinator

Job Description

Coordination and facilitative management are essential parts of providing an effective and caring program for our overnight and mealtime guests.  The Volunteer Coordinator working closely with the Program Coordinator and the Steering Committee will be responsible for providing volunteer recruitment, orientation, ongoing training, on-site support and recognition.  The coordinator will demonstrate leadership, interpersonal, problem solving and organizing skills.  He/she will cooperate with the Steering Committee in maintaining an effective working relationship with the host and supporting congregations and with community volunteers.

The Volunteer Coordinator will provide a human resources management and development function for the Out of the Cold program, ensuring that effective use is made of volunteer gifts of time and skills.  He/she will show commitment to the mandate of the program and to the goal of reducing social distance between guests and volunteers. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Volunteer Recruitment and Support

· Provide orientation and ongoing training and skill development of volunteers to address program needs as they arise. 

· Ensure that the work of the volunteers is supported and that volunteer recognition is organized at least annually.

· Communicate regularly with shift supervisors and core volunteers regarding volunteer issues, calling meetings as necessary.

Scheduling of Volunteers

· Coordinate the recruitment and scheduling of volunteers in order to ensure a full complement of volunteers for each shift throughout the program.

· Work with congregational coordinators to assist them in their recruitment when that is required and coordinate recruitment of volunteers in the community at large.

Record Keeping

· Coordinate volunteer scheduling by maintaining and updating the master list of shifts as well as a complete list of volunteers with contact information.

· Revise and maintain the Out of the Cold Manual prior to initial volunteer orientation.

Communication

· Responsible to monitor the OOTC voice mail and respond to telephone inquiries in a timely way.

· Report to the Steering Committee on a monthly basis regarding volunteer issues and other program concerns.

Program Support

· Assume overall responsibility for set-up of the program on Tuesdays until the Program Coordinator arrives.

· Ensure that appropriate information gets passed on to the Program Coordinator.

· Oversee closing of the program on Wednesday.

Hours of Employment

The regular hours will be Tuesdays 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. and Wednesdays 8:00 to 9:00 a.m..  There are approximately eight flexible hours for other duties that include some time for final scheduling on Mondays and at least two evening hours per month for Steering Committee meeting for a total of fifteen (15) hours per week for thirty (30 – fall to spring)  weeks (450 hours per year).  The fall would normally be heavier than the spring.

Accountability

The Volunteer Coordinator is an employee of the site location church.  He/she reports to and is accountable to the Steering Committee.  The Volunteer Coordinator is an ex-officio member of the Steering Committee. 

Required Skills

This position requires proven organizational, communication and inter-personal skills, experience working with a diverse population, an understanding of the needs of vulnerable clientele; computer skills: proficient in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, and Word.