Volunteer Coordinator

Lutheran Community Services Northwest•Portland, OR

5d•$21 - $31

About The Position

Lutheran Community Services NW is a nonprofit serving communities throughout Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. The Volunteer Coordinator supports volunteers working with clients in the Community Integration Department’s case management programs. The role recruits, screens, onboards, trains, matches, and supports volunteers, partnering closely with program staff to provide safe, consistent, and culturally responsive services that complement clients’ individual goals. The coordinator is the primary point of contact for volunteers and helps ensure that volunteer activities, documentation, professional boundaries, confidentiality, and required clearances comply with LCSNW policies and applicable program requirements. Volunteers may provide mentorship, English-language practice, tutoring, employment support, community orientation, transportation support, or other approved activities. The position requires reliable transportation for business purposes, including travel between work locations and community settings and driving clients in a personal and/or agency vehicle. Occasional attendance at volunteer activities, orientations, or community events outside standard business hours may be required.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
An associate’s or bachelor’s degree in social services, nonprofit management, community development, human resources, education, or a related field, or two years of relevant experience in volunteer coordination, community engagement, program coordination, social services, or a related area.
Excellent English communication skills, including reading, writing, and speaking.
Reliable transportation for business purposes, including travel between work locations and community settings and driving clients in a personal and/or agency vehicle.
Ability to work effectively in a multicultural setting and build strong working relationships with team members and partners.
Strong organizational, interpersonal, and follow-through skills, including the ability to manage multiple applicants, placements, schedules, deadlines, and records.
Ability to facilitate engaging orientations and trainings for volunteers with varied backgrounds and experience levels.
Understanding of volunteer management practices, including recruitment, screening, onboarding, matching, supervision, recognition, retention, risk management, and documentation.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, reinforce professional boundaries, respond appropriately to concerns, and use sound judgment when supporting volunteers who work directly with clients.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ability to learn databases, volunteer management systems, and other technology used for tracking and communication.
Ability to solve practical problems, work independently, collaborate across programs, and interpret written and verbal instructions, policies, and procedures.
Availability to occasionally attend volunteer activities, orientations, or community events outside standard business hours.
Satisfy standard LCSNW criminal clearance requirements, including national sex offender and motor vehicle records checks; have a valid driver’s license and auto insurance.

Nice To Haves

Personal or professional experience living and/or working with immigrant or refugee families.

Responsibilities

Recruit volunteers through community outreach, faith communities, colleges and universities, businesses, partner organizations, volunteer platforms, and local networks.
Coordinate volunteer applications, interviews, reference checks, background checks, required clearances, orientation, and placement documentation.
Provide initial and ongoing volunteer training on trauma-informed and culturally responsive engagement, confidentiality, professional boundaries, mandated reporting, client safety, and program expectations.
Work with program staff to identify volunteer roles and match volunteers with clients based on client goals, language, location, availability, interests, transportation needs, and staff recommendations.
Maintain regular contact with volunteers and program staff to monitor matches, address concerns, reinforce expectations, and support volunteer retention.
Serve as a resource to volunteers providing approved client support activities.
Maintain accurate volunteer records, including applications, agreements, clearances, training completion, placements, service hours, match notes, and exit documentation.
Track volunteer participation, service hours, retention, match status, client and volunteer feedback, and other outcomes for program monitoring, quality improvement, and reporting.
Develop and update volunteer position descriptions, orientation materials, training resources, procedures, forms, and recognition activities.
Support an inclusive volunteer culture that values the strengths, dignity, choices, privacy, and lived experiences of refugees, immigrants, and other newcomers.
Participate in staff meetings, trainings, supervision, and continuous quality improvement activities.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, and prescription benefits.
Employer-paid short- and long-term disability insurance.
Life insurance coverage at no cost to the employee.
Up to two weeks of vacation in the first year, based on hours worked.
Up to two weeks of sick leave, based on hours worked.
12 paid agency-recognized holidays.
Two floating holidays.
403(b) retirement plan with employer matching, subject to eligibility.
Access to an Employee Assistance Program for the employee and family.
Potential eligibility for student loan forgiveness through the organization’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.
37.5-hour work week intended to support work/life balance.