Job Description for a Volunteer Coordinator in a Domestic Violence Shelter
Volunteer coordinators are a vital part of any nonprofit, particularly those with a strong community health focus. Domestic violence volunteer coordinators may be required to do a variety of duties to help the shelter maintain its position as a vital resource to victims of domestic violence. Anyone seeking a career at a domestic violence shelter should be aware of the duties of this integral position.
Other People Are Reading
-
Coordinate Recruitment
-
Nonprofit volunteers are acquired only through frequent solicitation of volunteers from the surrounding communities. As a volunteer coordinator you may be required to help organize public relations events in order to educate and publicize the shelter's purpose in the community in order to help draw in new volunteers, as turnover is sometimes high in nonprofit volunteer organizations. This would require working with the shelter's public relations officer, or if there is none, brainstorming public relations events and information sessions to help publicize the need for volunteer help.
Volunteer Maintenance
-
Organizing volunteer lists is an important part of keeping the organization running smoothly. Shelters rely on consistent help from reliable volunteers; therefore the coordinator must be able to keep volunteer contact records current in order to meet the demands of the organization. This can include calling, mailing and maintaining a working database of volunteers and their functions at the organization at all times. Scheduling volunteers for various shelter tasks such as cleaning, food service, counseling, etc., will also be an integral part of the job. You will thus be the main point person between the volunteers and the agency.
-
Screening
-
Domestic violence shelters are typically quite cognizant of their duty to guarantee anonymity and a safe haven to shelter inhabitants. This type of clandestine environment requires volunteers who are sensitive to the needs of the inhabitants and can be trusted to maintain the anonymity of the individuals in the shelter. The coordinator works to screen volunteers through a process outlined by the organization in order to ensure the integrity of the shelter's protection.
Training
-
Volunteer coordinators are responsible for organizing or facilitating training for shelter volunteers. This could include trainings on diversity, domestic violence education, nutrition, child care, team building or a number of other vital aspects to nonprofit shelter management. The coordinator may be required to contact outside training facilitators and organize training sessions for active volunteers.
Defining
-
The volunteer coordinator works closely with the director in order to create job descriptions that match the organization's needs. Writing job descriptions means being acutely aware of the necessary tasks within the shelter and being able to clearly outline the expectations and experience needed to complete the tasks. Once these descriptions are written, the coordinator may need to go out into the community to publicize the positions.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Creatas/Getty Images
