Simpson Housing Services

Why Work For Simpson?

Our Mission is to house, support and advocate for people experiencing homelessness. We believe that everybody has the right to safe and affordable housing; we strive to strive to create a collaborative community with the individuals we serve, within Simpson, and with the greater community; and we advocate against the injustices of society that cause homelessness and poverty.

Simpson Housing Services Provides an Excellent Benefits Package to All Full-time Employees, Including:

• Generous PTO and 11 Additional Paid Holidays
• Health Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts and an HSA match
• Retirement Plan with Employer Match
• Up to 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
• Free Annual Minnesota State Park Pass or Wellness Stipend
• Mileage Reimbursement
• Dental Coverage and Vision Discount Plan
• An Incredible Culture that Encourages Career Growth and Support!

Wages: $20 to $22 per hour. 1 Position Available.

Full Job Description

Summary

The mission of Simpson Housing Services (SHS) is to house, support, and advocate for people experiencing homelessness. Relationships with volunteers is a vital component of SHS’ programming, community engagement, and fundraising.

The Volunteer Engagement Coordinator is a member of the Volunteer Engagement team and works closely with the Director of Volunteer Engagement to manage volunteers, build long-term relationships and partnerships, and increase visibility for SHS. This position also collaborates closely with Simpson’s shelter program, housing programs, and the Advancement and Communications team to achieve program goals and outcomes.

The Volunteer Engagement Coordinator serves as the “front door” for volunteers at SHS. This position assists with volunteer recruitment by managing online tools and uses Raiser’s Edge to document in-kind gifts. The ideal candidate is an organized and detail-oriented team player with excellent communication skills, strong relationship-building skills, and a commitment to Simpson’s mission and social justice.

Hours for this position are 40 hours per week, Mondays to Fridays, 9:00am to 5:00pm. Some evenings and weekends required. Flexible.

Responsibilities

Volunteer Recruitment:

• Actively recruit groups and individuals from a variety of communities, including civic groups, faith communities, business communities, and schools; website recruitment included. Refer volunteer groups to the Volunteer Engagement Manager.
• Devote special attention to engaging with volunteers and donors who identify as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of color (BIPOC), individuals with lived experience of homelessness, and individuals who identify as LGBTQ.
• Respond to inquiries from potential volunteers and assist them with finding an engagement option that is a good fit for their interests and availability.
• Coordinate Simpson’s use of online platforms to recruit and coordinate volunteers and in-kind donors.
• Create new volunteer position descriptions as needed and ensure that all of the agency’s position descriptions are current and consistent.

Lead Volunteer Opportunities for Individuals:

• Design and maintain volunteer engagement opportunities for individuals. Engage with SHS’ leadership team to create volunteer opportunities for individuals to meet needs of programs. Research and recommend volunteer programs that support current and future programs.
• Build relationships and deepen connections with current supporters and prospective donors and volunteers.
• Process applications, interview, and screen applicants. Provide orientation and training. Recognize volunteer efforts.
• Seek feedback and work to continually improve experiences for SHS’ program participants, staff, and volunteers.
• Communicate regularly with volunteers, invite questions, and follow up with volunteers.
• Terminate volunteers when necessary, with the support of the Director of Volunteer Engagement.
• Coordinate volunteer support for agency events including Art 4 Shelter, Music 4 Shelter, and the Homeless Memorial March and Service.
• Collaborate with teams to create volunteer and supporter education opportunities. Coordinate education opportunities: including posting, managing RSVPs, set up, and follow up.
• Maintain volunteer records in Raiser’s Edge. Update records for new individual volunteers that have passed screening and upload digital volunteer files.
• Use VolunteerHub to schedule and record volunteer engagement.

Coordination of In-kind Gifts

• Receive in-kind donations from donors by appointment.
• Communicate Simpson Housing Services’ need for in-kind donations through online platforms.
• Create and maintain in-kind giving opportunities that decrease the agency’s expenses.
• Research and cultivate relationships with individual and corporate donors and community agencies for the solicitation of in-kind goods.
• Enter and process in-kind gifts using Raiser’s Edge.
• Send in-kind acknowledgement letters and electronic acknowledgements on a weekly basis.

Commitment to antiracism, equity, and social justice:

• Demonstrate a personal commitment to antiracism and provide antiracist modeling for volunteers.
• Participate in meetings, workshops, trainings, and gatherings focused on antiracism, equity, diversity, inclusion, and other related topics.
• Set clear expectations for volunteers around a personal commitment to learning. Partner with volunteers on their learning and provide resources for volunteers to grow during their antiracist journeys.
• Collaborate with the Director of Volunteer Engagement when volunteers are not willing to meet expectations. The decision to terminate relationships may happen on occasion.
• Partnering with volunteers on their journey to be antiracist can be heavy emotional labor. The support of the Director of Volunteer Engagement is available when needed. If the Volunteer Engagement Coordinator does not have the capacity to undertake this emotional labor at a given time, the Director of Volunteer Engagement will step in to provide respite.

Support the Advancement Team and fundraising goal:

• Collaborate with supervisor and the Advancement and Communications team on engagement opportunities for donors and volunteers.
• Identify strategic partners and cultivate long-term relationships. Participate in planning financial giving and growth opportunities for volunteer groups.
• Encourage financial giving.
• Provide ideas for agency communication materials and social media, including public volunteer recognition.
• Attend team meetings.

Participate in Advocacy:

• Seek advocacy opportunities that support the community served by SHS, communicate internally, and participate in activities where possible.

Provide positive representation of SHS through public relations and networking:

• Interpret the agency to constituents; speak to community organizations or groups regarding SHS and its programs.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with the Simpson Housing Community.
• Represent SHS at internal and external events, fairs, and public opportunities.
• Maintain a flexible and non-judgmental approach to people and work.
• Collaborate with other volunteer coordinators through networks and membership to achieve shared goals.

Demonstrate essential knowledge, abilities, and skills:

• Relates well with others, with the ability to communicate effectively, positively and professionally with supervisor, participants, staff, donors, volunteer and community members.
• Active learner with curiosity and the ability to maximize the use of technology to work efficiently.
• Know the value of accurate data management, have a meticulous attention to detail, and have the capability to prioritize regular data management over competing projects.
• Willingness to be flexible with work schedule in support of volunteer engagement, deadlines, and events.
• Adhere to standard framework of boundaries in all interactions with guests, donors, volunteers, staff, and public.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Scope of Position

Job Requirements:

• Two years of experience coordinating volunteers.
• Data management and experience working within a database is preferred.
• Empathy for program participants and volunteers and an understanding of their needs.
• Strong customer service skills and success with creating relationships with a wide variety of people.
• Technologically proficient with the ability to use a variety of programs in order to be efficient and provide a clear and seamless process for volunteers.
• Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

Essential Mental and Physical Functions

To provide adequate assistance to volunteers, the employee must draw on the ability to empathize, problem solve, and the ability to accept people unconditionally with an openness to new ideas.

The employee must possess excellent problem-solving skills, superior strategic and analytical thinking skills including the ability to gather, absorb, and synthesize information from a variety of sources.

The employee must be self-motivated, result-oriented, and goal-focused.

The employee must have demonstrated success in working independently and as part of a team and in managing multiple tasks simultaneously.

The employee must understand homelessness and be able to communicate SHS’ mission. The employee must also be able to communicate housing and shelter programs to stakeholders.

When faced with situations where policies and procedures do not apply, the employee must determine the appropriate action based on experience and judgment in consultation with their supervisor.

Employee must be able to hear and speak, in order to communicate with volunteers, staff and supporters in person, on the telephone and in writing. Employee must be able to move about the office location. The employee must be able to lift and carry up to 25 pounds on a frequent basis.

Percentage time spent away from main office/location: 

Time inside: 55%, Time outside: 40%, Agency travel time required: 5%

Travel includes travel within the community including but not limited to community meetings.

Percentage time spent in direct care: 0%

Type of guidance and supervision received: Will participate in individual and team meetings.

Number of Direct/Indirect Reports: Provides volunteer/intern supervision.

Budget Responsibility: None