Volunteer Coordinator

Volunteer Coordinator

PathForward is seeking a creative, relationship-driven, and highly motivated Volunteer Coordinator to lead and grow one of the organization's most visible and community-centered programs. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is energized by people, passionate about community engagement, and eager to build meaningful volunteer experiences that directly support adults experiencing homelessness. This role is ideal for an emerging nonprofit professional interested in community engagement, fundraising, volunteer management, or nonprofit leadership.

Reporting to the Community Engagement Manager, the Volunteer Coordinator leads PathForward's volunteer program, overseeing recruitment, stewardship, training, scheduling, and engagement efforts to create meaningful volunteer experiences that support adults experiencing homelessness. This role collaborates closely with program, development, and communications staff to strengthen community partnerships, support volunteer-driven initiatives, coordinate volunteer coverage for programs and events, and deepen community engagement with PathForward's mission.

The Volunteer Coordinator works to convert volunteers into long-term supporters and ensures appropriate volunteer coverage at all events. Additionally, the role collaborates with the development and communications teams to integrate volunteer activities into broader organizational efforts, including recognition programs and content development. The coordinator also represents PathForward at community events.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage PathForward's volunteer program under the guidance of the Community Engagement Manager, including recruitment, stewardship, training, and retention efforts.
• Cultivate meaningful relationships and create engaging, mission-driven volunteer experiences that encourage long-term involvement, deepen community connection, and inspire support for adults experiencing homelessness.
• Collaborate with the Program Team to identify meaningful volunteer opportunities that directly support clients experiencing homelessness, including activities that foster dignity, community connection, life skills, wellness, and housing stability.
• Support and coordinate PathForward's Volunteer Council, including meeting logistics, communication, project coordination, and implementation of volunteer-led initiatives.
• Develop creative volunteer engagement opportunities that deepen community involvement while supporting organizational and client needs.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen and grow PathForward's volunteer program through innovative ideas, systems, and engagement strategies.
• Help ensure volunteers are appropriately trained to work within a trauma-informed, client-centered environment serving adults experiencing homelessness.
• Ensure volunteer coverage at both internal and external events, including third-party fundraisers, school walkathons, and internal gatherings (e.g., client picnic, holiday party).
• Represent PathForward within Volunteer Arlington and the broader nonprofit community to build relationships, strengthen partnerships, share best practices, and identify collaborative volunteer opportunities.
• Represent PathForward at community events, volunteer fairs, and outreach opportunities.
• Maintain the Volgistics database to track volunteer engagement, scheduling, service hours, communications, donor conversion activity, and reporting metrics.
• Oversee communication with PathForward's volunteer network to ensure timely and effective messaging.
• Train, schedule, and supervise volunteers for ongoing programs, including the Bagged Meal Program, Homeless Services Center, Residential Program Center, Sibert House, and Permanent Supportive Housing Program.
• Collaborate with the development team to implement a volunteer recognition plan, acknowledging volunteer contributions.
• Partner with the communications team to develop content highlighting volunteer efforts for newsletters and social media platforms.
• Coordinate and expand PathForward's school walkathon partnerships, ensuring successful engagement and achievement of annual fundraising goals.
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Does not supervise staff but provides supervision, guidance, and coordination with volunteers and volunteer groups in support of PathForward programs, events, and community engagement activities.

Qualifications and Skills

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to coordinate large groups, manage competing priorities, and communicate confidently in public-facing settings.
• Creative, proactive self-starter with the ability to work independently, take initiative, and develop innovative approaches to volunteer engagement and community outreach.
• Ability to exercise professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment when working with volunteers, community partners, donors, and vulnerable client populations.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with the ability to engage, connect with, and cultivate meaningful relationships with diverse volunteers, partners, and community stakeholders.
• Ability to adapt quickly, solve problems effectively, and maintain professionalism in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
• Ability to manage program-related budgets and expenses responsibly.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and remain organized in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a dedication to teamwork, an important internal value at PathForward.
• Proficient with technology and advanced PC skills in Microsoft Office, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

Experience and Education Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in communications, nonprofit administration, liberal arts, or related field preferred but not required.
• Minimum two years of experience in a nonprofit, volunteer engagement, customer service, hospitality, or community-facing role preferred.

Physical/Operational Requirements

• Weekends and evenings required.
• Occasionally required to lift up to 25 lbs.
• Valid driver's license, reliable personal vehicle, and ability to travel locally through Arlington and the surrounding region for volunteer engagement, donation pickup coordination, events, and community outreach.
• Must be comfortable using a personal cell phone for work-related communication including calls, texting, scheduling, and volunteer coordination.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Works primarily in a sedentary environment, utilizing various means of technology.