Volunteer Coordinator

Title:  Volunteer Coordinator

Reports to: Executive Director

Department: Volunteerism 

☒ Full-time

☒ Exempt

About DCM:

Our mission at Decatur Cooperative Ministry is to help families facing homelessness settle into safe, stable homes and build healthy lives filled with peace, hope and opportunity.

We have a long history of working towards this goal.

Founded in 1969, Decatur Cooperative Ministry was originally a “seed-planting” organization: DCM identified gaps in local needs, started programs to address them, and then handed these programs off to local churches.

By the early 1980s, DCM had shifted its focus from incubating several programs to nurturing just a few. These services—which eventually became our current transitional housing, shelter, and homelessness prevention programs—helped families prevent, endure, and overcome homelessness.

DCM has continued to expand upon its programs since the development of the core three in the 1980s; now also offering rapid re-housing and permanent supportive housing programs, our programs span the entire spectrum of currently recognized homelessness interventions.

To accomplish this, DCM partners with 35 congregations from 14 denominations as well as private foundations, universities and schools, government agencies, community groups, and local businesses.

Position Summary: 

The Volunteer Coordinator supports Decatur Cooperative Ministry’s mission by managing the recruitment, screening, orientation, and scheduling of volunteers across the agency’s programs. This role also assists with volunteer retention, appreciation activities, and in-kind donation management, while serving as a liaison between DCM and the broader community.

Because our target communities and colleagues come from a wide range of backgrounds, applicants need to be able to thoughtfully navigate issues related to diversity, race, equity and inclusion, and bring a deep commitment to advancing these values. You’ll also need to bring a strong commitment to excellence and true collaboration, an ability to work quickly but carefully, and appreciation for/patience, and developing and growing your team members.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

Volunteer Engagement and Coordination

• Schedule and coordinate volunteers for recurring and one-time program needs, administrative tasks, and special projects.
• Match volunteer interests and skills with appropriate opportunities within DCM.
• Collaborate with program staff to ensure volunteers receive adequate program-specific guidance and training.
• Ensure consistent, warm communication and relationship-building with new and existing volunteers.
• Maintain accurate volunteer records, logs, and reports in partnership with the Bookkeeper.
  
  Recruitment, Screening, and Training
• Support recruitment efforts through community outreach, events, and digital platforms.
• Oversee volunteer application and background check processes.
• Facilitate volunteer orientations and support program-specific onboarding in collaboration with staff.
• Ensure all volunteers meet organizational policies and are equipped to serve responsibly.

Volunteer Retention and Appreciation

• Collaborate with staff and leadership to design and implement volunteer appreciation efforts (e.g., thank-you notes, events, recognition campaigns).
• Conduct periodic check-ins and evaluations to foster volunteer satisfaction and program alignment.

In-Kind Donations Management

• Assist with the coordination and documentation of in-kind donations.
• Work with the administrative team to maintain donation tracking systems and ensure donor acknowledgment.

Community Engagement

• Serve as a key point of contact for individuals, congregations, businesses, and community groups interested in volunteering.
• Represent DCM at outreach events and community engagement opportunities when appropriate.
• Support reception coverage and provide referrals and assistance to walk-ins or callers, as time allows. Other Duties Assigned. 

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, nonprofit management, public relations, or a related field; or equivalent experience.
• Experience coordinating volunteers or leading community engagement efforts.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; customer-service oriented and skilled in working with diverse groups.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and volunteer management tools.
• Ability to work independently, solve problems creatively, and maintain confidentiality. 
  
   

Required Competencies

• Proven ability to prioritize and deliver on tight deadlines;
• Experience managing across and collaborating with diverse teams, personalities and expectations;
• Maintain a can do and solutions oriented attitude in all situations, especially tough situations;
• Willing and able to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekend;
• Demonstrated ability to be flexible with changing priorities, rapid response situations, and communicate clearly about deadlines and projects;
• Strong sense of organization and time management skills;
• Ability to work autonomously as well as in deep collaboration;
• Strong sense of urgency while remaining calm under pressure; and 
• Commitment to the mission of DCM.

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• Experience working as a member of a remote or geographically dispersed team.
• Experience with wearing multiple hats.
• Profound social skills and excellent customer service. 
• Ability to express the required competency for making a difference. 

Working Conditions:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• We are not responsible for any COVID or communicable exposure
• Frequently required to sit for extended periods, reach with hands, fingers, and arms and speak and hear clearly
• Occasionally required to stand, walk, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
• May infrequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. 
• The noise level in the work environment is typically low to moderate

Compensation and Benefits:

Compensation: $20–$24/hour (DOE)

Limitations and Disclaimer:

The above position description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the position.

All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws. Must have reliable means of transportation to work and work-related functions. 

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this position successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.  Continued employment remains on an "at-will" basis.

DCM is an equal opportunity employers. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, and veteran status.

TO APPLY: 

Send resume to careers@decaturcooperativeministry.org