Volunteer Engagement Specialist

The Calgary Drop-In Centre (the DI) is more than emergency shelter. We provide emergency shelter, health services and housing programs to people who need support. Our programs and services connect people to permanent housing that meets their individual needs. Rooted in community and fueled by kindness, the DI proudly serves as part of the Homeless-Serving System of Care.

**Position Summary**
Reporting to the Manager, Annual Giving & Community, the Specialist, Volunteer Engagement acts as the lead for all in-shelter volunteer management. They are responsible for supporting volunteers (individual, corporate & groups) for the Calgary Drop-In Centre Donation Centre, providing administrative support, and supporting other Development & Engagement (D&E) projects as required. The Specialist, Volunteer Engagement, with oversight from the D&E leadership team, ensures successful achievement of volunteer program growth. Ongoing evaluation for continuous improvement and demonstrated impact are keys to success.

**Time Commitment**
Not less than 40 hours per rotation; with 5 days on (Wednesday - Sunday) and 2 days off (Monday - Tuesday). Their scheduled hours are from 11 AM to 7 PM. These hours may be altered at the discretion of management.

**Job Duties**

**VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT (80%)**
- Place and schedule volunteers based on the needs of the agency, match volunteer skills with available opportunities and coordinate volunteer work schedules as needed.
- Work collaboratively to develop and/or improve an integrated volunteer program.
- Develop and implement a volunteer recognition strategy for all volunteers.
- Represent the agency to community organizations to meet program and organizational objectives, including promoting interest, participation, and support for the program.
- Conduct volunteer orientation sessions
- Liaise with business units on volunteer needs, draft and develop new position descriptions.
- Actively promote staff awareness and utilization of volunteers
- Be onsite during events and functions that require volunteers
- Assist in the planning of annual donor/volunteer recognition event
- Be the first point of contact for meal service, greeting volunteers & ensuring they arrive in the kitchen in a timely manner
- Responsible for ensuring volunteers are informed and follow policies including having follow up conversations as required
- Participate as required with the Engagement team in fund-raising activities such as third-party events.
- Participate in meetings as required for teams, special projects and agency initiatives.
- Provide feedback to staff regarding volunteers’ evaluation of their experience.
- Perform other duties as required

**DATABASE ADMINISTRATION (20%)**
- Maintain accurate records and statistics and prepare monthly reports using Volunteer Database as required.
- Administrative support to the rest of the D&E team

**Required Competencies**
- Post-secondary education or diploma in a related field or commensurate experience is preferred
- 1 years’ experience in community engagement and/or volunteer management is required
- Related experience and a proven record of success, preferably in complex non-profit environment
- Proven skills and experience managing relationships
- Self-directed and action oriented
- Energetic and self-directed, with effective time management and organizational skills including the ability to deal with multiple priorities at the same time
- Excellent communications skills, both verbal and written
- Proficient in Office365 and Microsoft Office Suite 2016
- Ability to work with databases such as Raiser’s Edge and Samaritan
- Eager to learn new systems and adopt improved best practices
- Must demonstrate initiative and work autonomously
- Must be acceptable of industry risks, including coming into contact with bodily fluids

**Working Conditions**
While your position does not normally consist of front-line work, it is important for us to tell you that front-line staff are exposed to emotionally disturbing events, such as: medical distress, threatened/actual serious injury, violence, abuse, and death; where clients may be experiencing fear, terror, hopelessness, rage, self-harm and conflict. It is understood and accepted that you will be working in distress and/or high-stress situations, which may include emergency response where resiliency and stress tolerance and the ability to maintain composure, remain calm and focused is imperative. Exposure to bodily fluids may also occur.
Why the DI?
The DI aims to be an “Employer of Choice” and affords each employee an opportunity to help make a real difference in our community, and more importantly in the lives of less privileged people. We take great care in hiring the right people who fit, and who share our outlook on the value of people. We believe in living our values in every word we speak and in every action we take, and we want people who understand this commitment.

**Our Culture**
Our values form the cor