Community Engagement Coordinator

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Who We Are

Our mission at The Gathering Inn is to meet people where they are, inspire hope, and walk alongside them on their journey to sustainable housing. We believe every individual has inherent value, and we approach homelessness as a well-being issue through wrap-around, whole-person care built on identity, connection, safety, growth, and ultimately joy. From a single 40-person winter shelter, we've grown into a multifaceted organization now serving over 700 individuals and families daily across multiple programs, with services spanning emergency shelter, medical respite, permanent supportive housing, case management, housing navigation, basic needs support, and more. We also uphold a best-in-class culture of philanthropy, inviting our community to invest their time, talent, and treasure to meaningfully impact lives. Our team members live out our values of accountability, collaboration, inclusion, respect, and safety every day. If you want to be part of a team walking alongside our community toward real, lasting change, you belong here.

Join a team united in inspiring hope and building toward our vision: a community without homelessness.

About This Role

Reporting directly to the Director, Programs, the Engagement Coordinator is responsible for cultivating and strengthening relationships with volunteers, community partners, churches, businesses, civic organizations, and other stakeholders in support of The Gathering Inn's mission. This position serves as a key ambassador for the organization by connecting community members with meaningful opportunities to engage, serve, and support individuals experiencing homelessness. The ideal individual is highly organized, relationship-focused, and passionate about building community connections. They possess strong communication skills, the ability to manage multiple priorities, and a commitment to providing exceptional customer service to volunteers, donors, guests, and community partners. The Engagement Coordinator works collaboratively with program staff and the Philanthropy team to identify organizational needs, develop engagement opportunities, and create pathways for community members to contribute their time, talents, and resources in meaningful ways. The Engagement Coordinator position requires a demonstrated ability to build relationships with potential and existing donors, to manage multiple projects with minimal supervision in a deadline-driven environment, and to effectively communicate with team members.

What You’ll Do

• Coordinate the organization's meal program by developing and maintaining relationships with food banks, churches, businesses, community organizations, and Adopt-a-Meal partners; identify meal service gaps; coordinate volunteer meal providers; ensure adequate meal coverage; maintain required food safety certifications; and serve as the primary liaison between volunteers, meal providers, and program staff.
• Oversee all aspects of in-kind donation operations, including donor communication, donation intake, inventory management, quality control, storage, distribution, Clothing Closet operations, and coordination of donated goods across program sites to ensure guests receive services in a welcoming, organized, and dignified environment.
• Recruit, onboard, train, schedule, supervise, and recognize volunteers supporting meal service, donation processing, Clothing Closet operations, inventory management, community events, and special projects while fostering a positive volunteer experience.
• Collaborate closely with the Philanthropy Department to strengthen donor, volunteer, and community partner relationships by supporting outreach efforts, stewardship activities, community engagement events, donation drives, site tours, and partnership development while professionally representing the organization in the community.
• Maintain accurate records, inventory, volunteer information, donor data, program metrics, and required documentation; prepare reports related to in-kind donations, volunteer engagement, Clothing Closet utilization, and community partnerships; and provide timely information for entry into the Raiser's Edge database.
• Collaborate with program staff to assess client and program needs, align available donation resources, communicate priority donation needs, ensure compliance with organizational policies, safety standards, confidentiality requirements, and inventory procedures, and exercise sound judgment regarding the acceptance, distribution, or disposal of donated goods.
• Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, and excellent customer service by communicating effectively with staff, volunteers, donors, guests, and community partners; exercising sound judgment and compassion; maintaining organized and accurate work; meeting deadlines; utilizing organizational technology and systems; and performing other duties as assigned in support of the organization's mission.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $25.00 - $34.00

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
• Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Life Insurance
• Paid Vacation & Sick Leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Cellular Phone Reimbursement – Position Eligible

Benefits are subject to eligibility requirements

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands and fingers, to handle objects, paper, etc. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel and crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The employee regularly needs to talk and hear.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

This position operates in a combination of office, shelter, and community-based environments. The employee will regularly interact with staff, volunteers, guests, community partners, and external stakeholders in a fast-paced, mission-driven setting.

The role may require:

• Sitting, standing, walking, bending, and lifting up to 25 pounds.
• Frequent use of computers, phones, and other standard office equipment.
• Travel between The Gathering Inn program sites and community partner locations as needed.
• Occasional evening, weekend, or holiday work to support organizational needs, special events, or emergency operations.
• The ability to respond professionally and calmly in a dynamic environment while maintaining confidentiality and exercising sound judgment.

The Gathering Inn is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace. Employees are expected to perform their duties in a manner consistent with the organization's mission, values, and commitment to serving individuals experiencing homelessness with dignity and compassion.

Hours: 8:00 AM- 4:30 PM

Equal Employment Opportunity & Disclaimer

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Gathering Inn is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all qualified applicants and employees are treated with respect and afforded equal employment opportunities.

The Gathering Inn is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, California, or local law.

Drug-Free Workplace

The Gathering Inn maintains a drug-free workplace.

Background Screening

Employment with The Gathering Inn is contingent upon successful completion of all required pre-employment screenings, including, but not limited to, background checks, reference verification, and any other screenings required by law, funding requirements, or organizational policy.

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties as organizational needs change.

What You Bring

Required Qualifications - Minimum Qualifications, Experience, Licenses/Certifications, Driver’s License

• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in volunteer management, community engagement, donor relations, customer service, event coordination, nonprofit operations, or a related field.
• Administrative experience and proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Must have a valid CA Driver’s License, reliable transportation and current insurance.

Preferred qualifications – Education, Preferred Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Nonprofit Management, Human Services, Business Administration, Social Work, or a related field.