Volunteer Coordinator

Hours: Part-time position based on 28 hours per week  

Starting Salary Range: $28.00- $32.00

Reports To:  Program Manager

To apply: Please send your resume and cover letter to bonnier@nanaimohospice.com

As a non-profit charitable organization, Nanaimo Community Hospice Society’s vision is that the dying experience dignity and peace, their caregivers receive the help they need, and their family and friends are supported in their grief.

Dying, caregiving, and grieving are three of life’s greatest challenges. Nanaimo Hospice believes that everyone struggling with these challenges regardless of age, means or culture deserves support. With compassion and dignity, our volunteers and professional staff offer free programs, resources and education to our community when and where it is needed most.

The Volunteer Coordinator contributes to achieving Hospice’s vision and mission by overseeing the organization’s volunteer resources.

Summary:

The Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for all aspects of the Volunteer Program management. This person is a mature, caring, compassionate individual who enjoys working in a team environment. The Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for building strong, long-term relationships in a strengths-based culture. This individual is highly organized and is comfortable using Microsoft Office programs and other database programs on a daily basis.

Responsibilities:

· Recruits, screens, and trains new client-based volunteers;

· Recruits volunteers for the House and Thrift Shoppe to ensure sufficient numbers of volunteers are available to fill roles required;

· Works with Hospice House staff to provide overall initial orientation for new House volunteers;

· Assesses volunteers according to skill sets, abilities, and interests to ensure that programs are well supported;

· Monitors ongoing evaluations of client-based volunteers’ performance, including progressive corrective disciplinary action and/or termination when required;

· Acts as a resource for client-based volunteers by being a client services role model, sharing knowledge and expertise;

· Delivers support and encouragement to client-based volunteers through effective and regular communication, visitations, and participating in meetings to convey appropriate professional availability and support;

· Works with the Program Manager to provide regular opportunities for volunteer education related to Hospice and Palliative Care;

· Schedules and organizes volunteer training program led by the Volunteer Coordinator, other Hospice staff, and external professionals;

· Facilitates a system of recognition and appreciation of volunteers;

· Plans and implements annual volunteer appreciation events;

· Produces a volunteer Newsletter on a bi-monthly basis;

· Works with Program Manager to updates database, volunteer job descriptions, position descriptions, and volunteer manual as required;

· Compiles relevant statistics on volunteer activities providing reports as requested to the Program Manager and Executive Director (forms part of the reports to the Board of Directors);

· Adheres to guidelines established in the NCHS Policy & Procedure Manual;

• Works with the Program Manager to develop and implement policies and systems for effective volunteer management;

· Assists Shoppe staff to ensure that the Shoppe Volunteer Handbook including Policies and Procedures are up-to-date and available to volunteers;

· Acts as a primary resource for volunteers and staff;

· Participates in staff meetings to inform staff on volunteer activities;

· Liaises with other agencies engaged with Hospice client-based volunteers;

• Promotes opportunities of volunteering to the public through various speaking engagements; 
• Uses discretion and good judgment at all times to ensure the good reputation of the organization;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Post-secondary degree in a related field (health or social services, counselling etc.) is an asset;
• Completion of NCHS volunteer training, or willingness to take the training once hired;
• Training in Adult Education is an asset.

Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years of working experience in a volunteer coordination capacity;
• Ability to supervise and train volunteers, including organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments;
• Proven ability to monitor the performance of a team of volunteers;
• Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to work independently and as part of a team;
• Strong written and verbal skills with the ability to communicate effectively and efficiently;
• Ability to communicate in a friendly and informative manner with people from a wide variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds and lifestyles;
• High level of critical and logical thinking, analysis, and/or reasoning to identify underlying principles, reasons, or facts;
• Must have intermediate experience in MS office programs;
• Experience in conducting effective presentations;
• Possess strong time management skills;
• Solid negotiation, conflict resolution, and people management skills;
• Excellent teamwork and team building skills;
• Good training, coaching, and mentoring skills are essential.

Note:  An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Personal Characteristics:

· Caring and Compassionate Manner: Consistently demonstrates the core values of Hospice and palliative care in words and actions with clients, volunteers, staff, and associates;

· Ethical Behaviour: Understands ethical behaviour and ensures that personal behaviour and organizational behaviour is consistent with these standards and aligned with organizational values;

· Relationship Building: Establishes and maintains positive working relationships internally and externally to achieve the goals of the organization;

· Effective Communication: Speaks, listens, and writes in a clear, thorough, and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication;

· Team Building: Works cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions to enhance the program effectiveness;

· Leadership: Positively influences others to achieve results that are in the best interest of clients and the organization;

· Decision-Making Ability: Assesses situations to determine the importance, urgency, and risks as to make clear, timely decisions;

· Organization: Sets priorities, develops a work schedule, monitors progress towards goals, and tracks details, data, information and activities;

· Planning Proficiency: Recommends strategies to move programs forward and evaluates process and results;

· Problem-Solving Ability: Assesses problem situations to identify causes, gathers and processes relevant information, generates possible solutions, and makes thoughtful recommendations.

Additional Criteria:

· Completion of a Criminal Record Check through the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General;

· Vehicle and valid driver’s license;

· Current CPR/First Aid certification is an asset.

Working Conditions:

• Availability to work flexible hours as required – possibly including evenings and/or weekends;
• Local travel may be required;
• Interactions with staff, volunteers, government agencies, and the public;
• Manual dexterity required to use desktop computer and peripherals;
• Physical fitness required to assist in setting up events, etc.