Volunteer and In-Kind Donations Senior Specialist - Houston, TX

Imagine waking up every morning with the chance to change someone's life. Imagine knowing your efforts will benefit both your career and our neighbors around the world. At CWS, our team knows they are making a difference every day. Whether you're in our U.S.-based offices supporting refugees, asylees or unaccompanied children ... implementing hygiene initiatives in Cambodia or rebuilding projects in Central America ... or even connecting remotely from your home on fundraising campaigns, grant reports, or critical communications - you have the opportunity to work towards a world where everyone has food, a voice and a safe place to call home.

The Volunteer Coordinator/In-Kind Donations Sr. Specialist is responsible for recruiting, training and supporting local volunteers and managing CWS Houston’s in-kind donations program. The employee will work closely with the CWS Houston Office of Community Engagement to ensure that volunteer and partner engagement aligns with the needs of clients and staff. The Volunteer Coordinator/In-Kind Specialist is responsible for documenting all volunteer and community engagement activities well as recording in-kind donations. The volunteer coordinator and in-kind donations specialist will manage the CWS Free Store and storage units, and ensure efficient tracking, storage, and distribution of in-kind donations, office supplies and equipment to clients. On-site labor in Houston will be required, with special attention to unloading, unboxing and sorting supplies, equipment and donations.

Volunteer Management:

• Maintain and grow a dedicated volunteer base through outreach to individuals, faith-based organizations, community-based organizations and groups, colleges/universities, and corporations.
• Respond promptly and professionally to all emails and phone calls regarding volunteer opportunities received.
• Lead the onboarding process of new volunteers and welcome team members by providing outreach, helping with recruitment paperwork, providing initial orientation, background checking and maintaining an accurate record of volunteer information in the CWS volunteer tracking database, including producing materials and presentations as needed.
• Match volunteers to CWS programs and clients based on programmatic needs and volunteer interest; consult with program staff, clients, and assigned volunteers to ensure completion of tasks per CWS standards.
• Liase between individual volunteers, refugee clients, and case managers, as well as other stakeholders to ensure positive, culturally respectful interactions
• Regularly review and revise volunteer recruitment, management, and recognition tools (including the volunteer tracking database and web resources) to reflect program needs and best practices.
• Manage individual volunteers for the entire CWS Houston office including ELT tutors, volunteer drivers and all misc. one-off volunteer opportunities.
• Maintain ongoing relationships with volunteers through regular newsletters, Facebook groups, and volunteer training events/activities.
• Promote volunteer retention through appreciation events.
• Develop and administer the annual volunteer engagement survey as well as tabulate and summarize the results.
• Help the Community Engagement team with event planning and turn our volunteers for CWS events.

 

In Kind Donations Management

• Respond promptly and professionally to all emails and phone calls regarding in-kind donations received via email.
• Coordinate, track, and monitor all in-kind donations going through CWS Houston free store and storage units, such as furniture, household supplies, toiletries, etc.
  • Keeps store inventory up to donate
  • Maintains appropriate records of all in-kind donations.
• Assist with quarterly reporting on value of donations provided to clients.
• Update client case files monthly with acknowledgements of received donations.
• On-site labor will be frequent, with primary attention placed on unloading, unboxing, sorting for supplies, equipment and donations, both on and off site.
• Arrange pick-up and delivery of donated items from local donors to clients.
• Manage volunteer shifts in CWS Houston store and CWS Houston storage unit.
• Be available in person for all major deliveries.
• Works closely with Housing Coordinator and Case Managers to furnish client apartments with donated goods and manage a team of trained apartment set up volunteers.

 

Additional Duties:

• Advocate for refugees, asylees, and entrants in Houston by developing educational materials and training that assist volunteers in promoting involvement and raising awareness about refugee and immigrant concerns.
• Develop a strong understanding of refugee and immigrant issues via training, webinars, media, books, publications, and reference tools, using current information to educate the broader community about refugees and immigrants.
• Have a thorough understanding of populations served through the CWS Houston office and strive to provide equitable resources to all clients.
• Work varied hours, including some nights and weekends.
• Attend trainings and conferences as requested by supervisor.
• Accept other duties as assigned, including transporting clients in personal vehicle.

Education:

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in lieu of degree

 

Experience:

Minimum of 4 years previous experience in non-profit, social justice, community development, and volunteer management are essential for this position. Demonstrated ability to work independently with high comfort and skill, interacting with partner organizations and coordinating people and resources. The ability to work in a multicultural environment is required.

 

Other Skills:

• Must possess the ability to think creatively and strategically.
• Demonstrate initiative, be self-motivated and function independently.
• Work within a team environment; and be flexible.
• Acute attention to detail and ability to stay on top of critical deadlines.
• Strong relational and facilitation skills
• Ability to travel domestically and have valid driver's licenses
• Demonstrate initiative, be self-motivated and function independently in a home office setting. Ability to thrive in non-traditional work settings
• English-language fluency
• A successful candidate must be computer literate, proficient in Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Excel, and Word)
• The ability to speak another language, especially Russian, Spanish, Ukrainian, Dari, Pashto or Arabic is preferred. 

• The successful candidate must have a car, a valid driver’s license, and an insurable driving record.
• This is a hybrid position, involving in-person and remote work.
• Works varied hours, including possible night and weekend work.

CWS offers a competitive benefits package that includes:    
- 403 (b) Retirement Plan                                               
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance                                                  
- Generous Paid Time Off (18 Paid Days Off; 24 Days after 2 Years)  
- 14 Official Holidays  
- 12 Sick Days Off (Accrued monthly)                                      
- Life Insurance and AD&D                                             
- Long Term and Short-Term Disability                                                  
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)                                                 
- Health Savings Account                                               
- Flexible Spending Accounts