Volunteer and Community Engagement Coordinator

The Volunteer & Community Engagement Coordinator conducts community outreach to educate and solicit support, especially co-sponsorships of newly arrived refugee families, from Lutheran and other congregations, religious organizations, and community groups. This position solicits, trains, and supports volunteers, interns, and service learners, and plans a variety of events to engage the receiving community in refugee resettlement.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Recruits, screens, trains and recognizes volunteers and interns to benefit the resettlement of refugees. Coordinates with other program staff to determine what tasks and assignments can be covered by volunteers. Schedules volunteers for assignments.
• Develops training materials and resources for volunteers, service learners, and interns. Provides initial and ongoing training and support.
• Performs outreach and makes presentations to churches, businesses, and other community groups to educate on refugee resettlement issues and to promote, support, and obtain volunteers for refugee resettlement.
• Manages all aspects of the Cultural Mentoring and co-sponsoring program including soliciting church and community co-sponsorship commitments, matching mentor teams with families, communicating with teams, and addressing volunteer concerns directly with resettlement staff.
• Plans and organizes special events to include World Refugee Day events, volunteer appreciation and recognition events, outreach and educational events, networking events, drives, and managing agency participation in community events.
• Oversees placement of interns and service learners, including coordination with sponsoring agencies and academic institutions.
• Maintains Refugee & Asylee Program social media accounts and monthly newsletter posting both internally-generated and external stories and photos.
• Provides information about the Cultural Mentoring and Exchange program to new refugee clients at intake and coordinates with case managers to prioritize families for the program.
• Manages partnerships, including making arrangements for linkage visits with volunteer mentors and families, and monitoring enrollments.
• Utilizes volunteer management database to facilitate the volunteer application process and submission of volunteer hours. Ensure non-monetary donations and activities are captured through monthly reporting.
• Coordinates donations from churches and community groups, such as welcome baskets or apartment bins.
• Works with other program staff on managing volunteers and solicits active staff involvement in volunteer relationships and projects.
• Coordinates holiday and group service projects for volunteers as possible.
• Researches and presents ideas for community involvement in refugee resettlement.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Cross cultural sensitivity and knowledge, with the ability and desire to work with people of other cultures.
• High comfort level with public speaking, facilitating trainings and conducting community outreach
• Knowledge of and comfort working in collaboration with a variety of community-based organizations, including communities of faith.
• Prior experience with volunteer and donation management and OR 1 or more years of community outreach and resource development experience required or combination of both.
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment and meet program requirements
• Experience with launching new programs and initiatives with proven success
• Recruiting and managing volunteers, interns, mentors and tutors to meet program needs.
• Experience with mitigating challenges and early intervention to promote positive outcome
• Some understanding of refugee resettlement and / or immigration issues helpful but not required.
• Ability to write clearly for reports and correspondence.
• Computer skills in Word, Excel, and the use of email and other applications.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license and provide proof of auto liability insurance at the level of 100,000 / 300,000 / 100,000.
• Demonstrates commitment to the mission, values and vision of Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains.

EDUCATION and / or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university; or one to two years related experience and / or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position will supervise individual volunteers, volunteer groups and interns.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

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