What are the responsibilities and job description for the Volunteer Engagement Specialist (San Diego, CA) position at Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank?
The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank is currently hiring for a full-time, hourly, non-exempt and benefited Volunteer Engagement Specialist in our Miramar location.
ABOUT THE SAN DIEGO FOOD BANK
Established in 1977, the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank is a critical component to the welfare of San Diego County, providing nutritious food to people in need, advocating for the hungry and educating the public about hunger-related issues. For more information about the organization, please visit www.sandiegofoodbank.org.
Our Mission:
The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and our North County Food Bank Chapter provide nutritious food to people in need, advocate for the hungry, and educate the public about hunger-related issues.
DID YOU KNOW?
POSITION PURPOSE
The Volunteer Engagement Specialist is responsible for managing all aspects of volunteer scheduling, recruitment, engagement, and satisfaction to support the organization’s mission and operational needs. This role ensures positive volunteer experience by scheduling volunteers, analyzing data for actionable insights, cultivating meaningful relationships, and implementing strategies to attract and retain long-term volunteers. Reporting to the Volunteer Manager, the Specialist collaborates with other departments to align volunteer efforts with the organization’s broader goals, fostering a positive and impactful experience for volunteers while contributing to the success of the volunteer program.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this position. All duties are expected to be performed in accordance with existing company policy and procedure. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Volunteer Scheduling and Operations
IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate is highly organized, a strong communicator, and passionate about volunteerism. They excel at multitasking, managing diverse volunteer needs, and creating positive experiences for volunteers. The candidate should have a strong understanding of volunteer recruitment strategies, be able to build meaningful relationships with individuals and corporate partners and be comfortable presenting to various groups. Experience in a fast-paced, dynamic environment is essential, as is the ability to work collaboratively with internal teams. Additionally, the candidate should have experience in analyzing data to track volunteer program performance and use insights to drive improvements in recruitment, engagement, and retention.
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES
Knowledge of:
LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
COMPENSATION
WORK SCHEDULE
This is a regular, full-time and benefited position at 40 hours per week.
HOW TO APPLY
ABOUT THE SAN DIEGO FOOD BANK
Established in 1977, the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank is a critical component to the welfare of San Diego County, providing nutritious food to people in need, advocating for the hungry and educating the public about hunger-related issues. For more information about the organization, please visit www.sandiegofoodbank.org.
Our Mission:
The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and our North County Food Bank Chapter provide nutritious food to people in need, advocate for the hungry, and educate the public about hunger-related issues.
DID YOU KNOW?
- The San Diego Food Bank feeds approximately 400,000 people every month in partnership with 450 nonprofit community partners.
- We are the fourth largest independent food bank in the country.
- We distributed 44 million pounds of food in fiscal year 2021-2022; 31% of that food being fresh produce.
- We have a 99% rating on Charity Navigator.
- We are committed to innovation and sustainability to reduce our impact on the environment. We have 1,400 solar panels, we are LEED v4 Gold Certified, we have a 3,600 sq. ft composting and recycling center that houses our recycling and composting machine, and received the 2020 Business Waste Reduction & Recycling award?
POSITION PURPOSE
The Volunteer Engagement Specialist is responsible for managing all aspects of volunteer scheduling, recruitment, engagement, and satisfaction to support the organization’s mission and operational needs. This role ensures positive volunteer experience by scheduling volunteers, analyzing data for actionable insights, cultivating meaningful relationships, and implementing strategies to attract and retain long-term volunteers. Reporting to the Volunteer Manager, the Specialist collaborates with other departments to align volunteer efforts with the organization’s broader goals, fostering a positive and impactful experience for volunteers while contributing to the success of the volunteer program.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this position. All duties are expected to be performed in accordance with existing company policy and procedure. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Volunteer Scheduling and Operations
- Responsible for scheduling all individual and group volunteers for all food bank activities, including warehouses, the client-choice pantry, food distributions, and events.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for volunteers, addressing scheduling inquiries, updates, and conflicts to ensure a smooth experience.
- Utilize volunteer management software (e.g., Volunteer Hub) to track shifts, monitor attendance, and maintain accurate calendars for staff reference.
- Collaborate with the Volunteer Manager to ensure adequate coverage and efficient deployment of volunteers across all sites to meet operational needs.
- Send out communication to volunteers about upcoming opportunities, shift needs, and other scheduling updates.
- Create and administer documentation for court-ordered community service volunteers, ensuring proper tracking and compliance.
- Maintain and analyze data from volunteer management software to identify trends in participation, recruitment success, and program impact.
- Serve as the subject matter expert on the volunteer database, ensuring accurate data entry, system updates, efficiency, automation, and training for staff on its use.
- Prepare and deliver regular reports to the Volunteer Manager on volunteer engagement, scheduling efficiency, and recruitment outcomes.
- Track and document volunteer hours, ensuring accurate reporting of metrics to leadership and other departments.
- Gather feedback from volunteers through surveys, exit interviews, and informal check-ins to assess satisfaction and pinpoint areas for improvement.
- Work with the Volunteer Manager to address feedback and implement strategies to enhance the volunteer experience.
- Assist in planning and executing volunteer recognition events and initiatives to celebrate and acknowledge volunteer contributions.
- Develop content and resources (e.g., newsletters, training materials) to foster a positive and inclusive environment for volunteers.
- Engage with onsite volunteers to make sure their volunteering experience is positive, team orientated and memorialized through photos.
- Lead recruitment efforts to attract individual, organization, and corporate volunteers through strategic outreach and marketing campaigns.
- Build relationships with community groups, businesses, schools, and professional organizations to promote the volunteer program and secure partnerships.
- Coordinate with internal departments to assess volunteer needs and align recruitment strategies with organizational goals and initiatives.
- Provide on-site support during volunteer activities and events to ensure smooth operations and a positive experience for participants.
- Ensure compliance with organizational policies and procedures regarding volunteer participation, safety, and confidentiality.
- Stay updated on best practices and trends in volunteer engagement to continuously improve the program.
- Perform other duties as assigned to support the Volunteer Services team.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Bachelor's degree in Nonprofit Management, Business, Communications, or a related field. Combination of education and experience will be considered.
- Minimum 2-5 years of experience in volunteer coordination, program management, or a related field, with a strong preference for experience in volunteer recruitment and engagement.
- Certification in Volunteer Administration or a similar credential, preferred.
- Must have experience working with volunteer management systems or CRM platforms (e.g. Volunteer Hub, Salesforce), including data entry, reporting, and system maintenance.
- Proven experience pulling reports, analyzing trends, and using data insights to drive decision-making and improve program outcomes.
- Proficiency in data analysis and reporting, with attention to detail and accuracy.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate is highly organized, a strong communicator, and passionate about volunteerism. They excel at multitasking, managing diverse volunteer needs, and creating positive experiences for volunteers. The candidate should have a strong understanding of volunteer recruitment strategies, be able to build meaningful relationships with individuals and corporate partners and be comfortable presenting to various groups. Experience in a fast-paced, dynamic environment is essential, as is the ability to work collaboratively with internal teams. Additionally, the candidate should have experience in analyzing data to track volunteer program performance and use insights to drive improvements in recruitment, engagement, and retention.
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES
Knowledge of:
- Best practices in volunteer management, including recruitment, onboarding, engagement, and retention strategies.
- Proficiency in volunteer management software (e.g., Volunteer Hub) for scheduling, tracking, reporting, and communication.
- Understanding of public speaking principles and presentation techniques for orientations, outreach, and community events.
- Strong customer service skills to foster volunteer engagement and build lasting relationships.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook) and familiarity with data management tools for program tracking and analysis.
- Coordinate and oversee the scheduling and management of a high volume of individual and group volunteers across multiple sites.
- Communicate effectively with staff, volunteers, and external partners to ensure alignment and seamless volunteer experience.
- Cultivate relationships with potential volunteers, businesses, and community groups to enhance engagement and expand the volunteer base.
- Analyze volunteer program data to drive informed decision-making, improve outcomes, and optimize program efficiency.
- Prioritize tasks, stay organized, and consistently meet deadlines in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
- Prepare and deliver accurate reports on volunteer hours, recruitment efforts, and engagement initiatives for internal and external stakeholders.
- Collaborate with other departments to align volunteer efforts with organizational goals, maintaining strong internal partnerships.
- Demonstrate strong organizational and time-management skills, balancing multiple priorities with attention to detail.
- Identify challenges and develop creative solutions and engagement strategies to enhance the volunteer program.
LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Valid CA Driver’s License.
- Bilingual in Spanish preferred
- Must have own vehicle and will receive reimbursements for mileage.
COMPENSATION
- This is a full-time, non-exempt/hourly/benefited position.
- A market-level competitive salary is between $27.00 - $31.00 per hour based on experience.
- The compensation package includes a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package including: 403(b) plan with 200% employer matching; excellent health care coverage with free employee medical, dental and vision plans; company paid term life insurance; and a generous accrual of paid vacation and sick leave.
WORK SCHEDULE
This is a regular, full-time and benefited position at 40 hours per week.
- Typical schedule is Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm.
- Occasional overtime, late nights, or weekend shifts, based on business needs.
- Travel is required 20% - 40% of the time, primarily within San Diego County, including between North County location in Vista for volunteer recruitment efforts.
HOW TO APPLY
- Interested and qualified candidates should apply on our career website located at https://www.theapplicantmanager.com/careers?co=jc
- Submissions missing a resume will not be considered for the position.
- Background check and drug test are required for the position before employment starts.
This is a regular full-time position
Salary : $27 - $31