Volunteer Coordinator

Urban Bounty (UB) is a registered charity working to cultivate a resilient local food system through education, advocacy, and community-building initiatives. We connect people with where their food comes from, support local food systems, and promote environmental stewardship through hands-on programs, workshops, and events.

We are a small team of staff supported by volunteers, all passionate about organic growing and food security. We live the values of the Richmond Food Charter, and courageously engage our community to address challenges. We build community, have fun doing it, and hope to create long-term, tangible, systemic results.

**Requirements**:

- Minimum 3-5 years of related experience recruiting, training, engaging, and coordinating volunteers, preferably for a non-profit or charitable organization.
- Post-secondary degree preferred in a relevant field such as Human Resources, Land and Food Systems, Sustainable Agriculture, Social Justice, Environmental Science, Horticulture, or Arboriculture.
- Continuing education certificate in Volunteer Management is preferred.
- Experience with, and passion for, supporting volunteers to feel welcome, included, and recognized as valuable members of our community, while helping them to also share their expertise and/or improve skill levels in their areas of interest.
- Comfortable leading small and large groups of volunteers and being in charge of their engagement, enjoyment, and safety.
- Ability to design and facilitate workshops and demonstrations on the principles of organic gardening, food security, seed security, environmental sustainability, and the benefits of growing urban fruit trees and native plants.
- Knowledge and experience in urban fruit recovery and/or operating a local seed library would be very beneficial.
- Compassionate communicator; able to listen and support volunteers and inspire community members to get involved.
- Proficient with Google Suite, Microsoft Office, and ability to learn new technologies.
- Familiarity with Neon One, our CRM, would be an asset.
- Experience with a range of volunteer management systems and the ability to evaluate and improve current systems and processes for both tracking and engagement.
- A clean Class 5 driver abstract and access to a reliable vehicle to transport supplies and travel to events. Mileage will be reimbursed at $0.72cents/km.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends
- Physical mobility, and ability to perform for a full day of a variety of gardening and fruit gleaning tasks including lifting (up to 50 pounds), digging in gardens, and climbing ladders.
- Willingness to work in various weather conditions in outdoor work environments.
- Have or ability to get: Criminal record check with vulnerable sector search, Food Safe Level One, Emergency First Aid

**Core Responsibilities**

**Volunteer Management (60%)**

The focus for this role is managing, recruiting, training, and engaging volunteers of various ages, backgrounds, skills, and interests for all of our 5 core programs. UB provides a diverse range of volunteering opportunities for individuals, and groups, both corporate and special interest. We aim to provide opportunities that inspire, educate, and engage the participants with food security and environmentally-focused initiatives while also providing a welcoming space for sharing and community development.

Overall volunteer management will include, but is not limited to, coordinating regular volunteer work parties and shared garden tasks at all 18 community garden sites, organizing and hosting monthly volunteer gatherings and activities (Tea at Paulik), as well as working with staff and volunteers to help run numerous special projects such as annual events (Seedy Saturday), planting days, site clean-ups, fruit picks/harvesting, seed sorting/packaging, and environmental enhancement activities.

**Processes and Communications**

**Volunteer Recruitment and Outreach**
- Develop and implement strategic recruitment initiatives to attract diverse volunteers from across the community to support all 5 core programs.
- This includes creating compelling volunteer opportunity/job descriptions, maintaining an active presence on volunteer recruitment platforms, partnering with local businesses and educational institutions, and representing the organization at community events and volunteer fairs.
- The coordinator will ensure that recruitment efforts align with time-sensitive organizational needs and reflect our vision for healthy people, community, and environment.

**Volunteer Onboarding and Training**
- Responsibilities include designing and facilitating comprehensive orientation sessions for new volunteers, conducting background checks and screening procedures as required, developing training materials and resources, and ensuring all volunteers understand organizational policies, safety protocols, and their specific role responsibilities. The coordinator will create a welc