Volunteer Coordinator, Chicago

The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights invites applications for a full-time Volunteer Coordinator (VC) position based in Chicago, Illinois.

In collaboration with Site Manager, the VC role executes the recruitment, screening, and training for Child Advocate volunteers. This position ensures that all necessary processes, events, and programs are effective in yielding, supporting, and retaining bicultural and bilingual volunteers in Chicago. In addition, the Volunteer Coordinator actively engages with the National Volunteer Program Manager and VCs across the organization, supporting the implementation of a national Young Center volunteer strategy.  This position  is funded primarily through a federal contract and is contingent on on-going renewals

ABOUT THE YOUNG CENTER 

The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights is a national organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the rights and best interests, safety, and well-being of immigrant children in the United States. We center children's voices, celebrate their strengths, and recognize their fundamental need to be with family and in community, not detention.

For more than 20 years, the Young Center has accompanied and advocated for over 10,000 children from more than 70 countries worldwide. We are the only organization that takes an integrated approach to protecting and advancing the rights of children, in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child and state and federal law, through direct services, stakeholder support across child welfare systems, systems and narrative change, and litigation. Further, we fight tirelessly to bring greater equity to the child welfare system, demanding accountability from systems and people in positions of power, so children in immigrant families who face court cases remain safe, free, and with families in communities where they are supported.

The Young Center has offices in Houston, San Antonio, and Harlingen, Texas; Chicago, Illinois; New York, New York; Washington, D.C.; Phoenix, Arizona; Los Angeles, California; and Grand Rapids, Michigan. We also serve children through our programs in New Jersey. To learn more about the Young Center, visit

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Develops annual recruitment, outreach, training, and engagement strategies for a cohort of Child Advocate volunteers per calendar year. 
• Develops and maintains relationships with relevant community partners and recruiting sources in the Chicago community.  
• Serves as the site contact for the National Volunteer Program Manager (NVPM) and inquiries regarding Young Center volunteer recruitment in Chicago. 
• Hosts and represents the Young Center at community recruitment events and presentations (virtual and in-person). 
• Conducts screening calls for prospective volunteers to follow up on applications, determine Spanish proficiency and gauge fit for the volunteer Child Advocate role. 
• Tracks new applications for prospective volunteers.  
• Develops calendar, content, and materials for 2-3 annual Child Advocate volunteer trainings. 
• Considers budget as part of process to plan volunteer trainings and is responsible for maintaining receipts and appropriate documentation of all expenditures. 
• Implements training plan and acts as project manager to ensure all logistics are delegated and completed on time and within budget. 
• Makes recommendations to Child Advocate Supervisors about matching volunteers to children. 
• Coordinates local and national education and appreciation events for volunteers. 
• Enters, maintains, and tracks data on volunteer applications, recruitment, and engagement. 
• Ensures that all volunteers prior to case assignments have completed and updated clearances on file. 
• Actively participates in regular cohort meetings with Volunteer Coordinators across the Young Center. 
• Supports the organizational strategy to recruit, train and grow volunteer Child Advocates, led by the NVPC. 
• Designs and publishes a volunteer Child Advocate newsletter 2-4 times per year. 
• Serves as a Child Advocate for at least one child to learn about the role of the Child Advocate. 
• Provides administrative and clerical support to site, as needed. 
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS 

• At least two years of post-high school experiences that may include a combination of employment, community organizing, internships, student leadership and/ or volunteer experience. 
• Experience leading the coordination of medium to large scale projects to successful completion. 
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.  
• Comfortable with public speaking and able to engage with a variety of audiences that include colleagues, community partners and volunteers. 
• Highly collaborative and willing to work creatively as part of an interdisciplinary team. 
• Organized, detail oriented and able to work independently on tasks and deliverables. 
• Resourceful and takes a proactive and creative approach to problem-solving. 
• Ability to collect and analyze volunteer data. 
• Commitment to a comprehensive culture of feedback, including seeking and providing positive and constructive feedback and engaging in productive conversations. 
• Commitment to learn, both as an individual and as part of an organization, and apply diversity, equity, inclusion, and/or anti-racism principles. 
• Ability to communicate with cultural humility, compassion, and empathy. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, Zoom, Adobe Acrobat, and willingness to learn new technology and/or platforms. 
• Bilingual ability (oral and written) in English/Spanish or English/ other languages spoken by the population we serve 
• High School Diploma required. 
• Valid driver’s license and access to a car. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS  

• Experience—lived, volunteer, or professional—with immigration matters

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Physical demands include regular attendance; keyboarding; sitting for long periods (at least 5 hours a day); driving. Ability to use computer, telephone, and copy machine. Ability to travel by plane, car, and other conveyances within U.S. Occasional lifting for event setup/preparation. Must be able to work at least two-three full weekends for the Child Advocate Trainings. May be requested to work evenings or weekends for other special events as needed.  

APPLICATION DETAILS 

The Young Center is an "at-will" and equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in and affirmatively factors diversity into its hiring practices. Young Center encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, ancestry, marital or parental status, pregnancy, citizenship, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, genetic information, or veterans’ status. Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process; no applicant will be penalized for requesting an accommodation. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application. 

$26.91 to $29.93 is the standard new hire range for this position. Actual wage will vary depending on factors including but not limited to location and experience. The Young Center does not ask for prior pay history from our candidates and our offer-making process is negotiation-free for salaries and benefits. We offer our best possible salary based on relevant experience. The range listed is just one component of the Young Center’s total compensation package for employees. The Young Center provides excellent benefits, including health/dental/vision insurance (employee & dependents) at no cost to the employee, paid vacation, sick time, and a 401(k) plan with employer match. 

A criminal background check will be conducted.  

Review of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Please apply on the Young Center website with a cover letter, resume, and three references. Only complete applications will be considered. 

To learn more about the Young Center’s work, please visit