About Us
At Ronald McDonald House® British Columbia and Yukon, we envision a province where families stay close to their sick children. Today, 2 out of 3 Canadians live in a city or town without a children’s hospital. Our Mission is to give sick children the healing power of being together with family.
As a champion of family-centered care, we enable access to children’s hospitals by providing families with sick children accommodation, meals, and wellness programs that support their emotional and physical well-being.
Since opening our first 13-bedroom House in Vancouver in 1983, Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon has continued to grow to meet the rising need for support. In 2014, we opened the Heather House, a 73-bedroom House on the grounds of BC Children’s Hospital, along with a Ronald McDonald House Family Room inside Surrey Memorial Hospital. In 2025, we expanded once again, opening new Family Rooms at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, and the University Hospital of Northern BC in Prince George, bringing comfort, care, and a place to rest to families throughout the province.
With the demand for services increasing, we are planning for even greater impact through expansion with a second House. The new Willow House is intentionally designed for comfort, connection, and wellness, and will offer families more space, more support and more ways to stay together during the toughest times. We aim to double our capacity and impact across BC and Yukon over the next five years, ensuring even more families can stay close when it matters most.
Our team is the backbone of this mission; serving families, supporting volunteers and donors, and helping spread awareness every single day.
Why This Role Matters
This role plays an important part in building and sustaining the volunteer partnerships that help make Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon’s programs possible.
By coordinating volunteer recruitment, supporting community volunteer engagement initiatives, strengthening group volunteer experiences, and helping develop youth volunteer pathways, this position helps ensure a strong pipeline of passionate individuals and community partners who contribute to our mission.
Success in this role means creating meaningful volunteer experiences, supporting long-term community volunteer relationships, and helping develop consistent tools, workflows, and engagement opportunities that expand awareness of volunteer opportunities and enhance the impact of Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon across the province.
About the Role
The Volunteer & Community Engagement Specialist is responsible for coordinating volunteer recruitment, volunteer engagement, community volunteer partnerships, group volunteer programs and volunteer recruitment support for signature events across Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon.
Reporting to the Manager, People & Culture, this role serves as a key resource for volunteer engagement practices, tools, workflows, and community volunteer partnerships. The Specialist works closely with leaders across the organization, community volunteer groups, schools, businesses, and volunteers to build strong relationships and create exceptional volunteer and experiences that advance the mission, strengthen awareness, and support organizational growth.
Key Responsibilities
Volunteer Recruitment & Volunteer Resources
- Lead volunteer recruitment including outreach, information sessions, application screening, interviews, reference checks, and placement recommendations.
- Coordinate volunteer onboarding processes, orientation sessions, required screening and documentation.
- Maintain volunteer role descriptions and collaborate with departments to identify volunteer needs and opportunities.
- Support volunteer retention and engagement through ongoing communication, feedback, and relationship building.
- Coordinate organization-wide volunteer recognition initiatives and provide tools and guidance that help departments recognize volunteer contributions consistently and meaningfully.
- Develop and maintain volunteer engagement tools, templates, workflows, and resources that support consistent volunteer practices across departments.
- Act as a resource to departmental leaders regarding volunteer management practices and volunteer experience initiatives.
Volunteer Reporting & Program Administration
- Maintain accurate volunteer records, participation data, and program metrics.
- Handle volunteer information with appropriate confidentiality and in accordance with organizational privacy policies and applicable requirements.
- Prepare and distribute regular volunteer reports and dashboards.
- Monitor volunteer recruitment, retention, engagement, and service trends.
- Ensure volunteer records, compliance documentation, and program information are current and accurate.
- Support continuous improvement of volunteer systems, processes, and reporting practices.
Community Volunteer Partnerships & Outreach
- Identify, cultivate, and maintain volunteer-focused relationships with businesses, schools, post-secondary institutions, service groups, and community organizations that support volunteer recruitment, group volunteer engagement, youth volunteer pathways, and mission awareness.
- Represent Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon at select networking opportunities, volunteer fairs, and community engagement activities that align with volunteer recruitment and engagement priorities.
- Collaborate with Development, Communications, and operational teams to ensure volunteer-related community engagement activities are coordinated, aligned, and responsive to organizational priorities and volunteer needs.
- Support community awareness of volunteer opportunities and the impact of Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon, while providing resources and guidance that help departments engage volunteers and community partners effectively.
Group Volunteer Programs
- Coordinate and support the growth of group volunteer experiences across Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon locations.
- Serve as the primary contact for corporate, community, and team-based groups participating in volunteer activities.
- Coordinate volunteer group scheduling, communications, orientation, and logistics in partnership with operational departments.
- Ensure volunteer groups receive a meaningful and engaging experience that reflects organizational values and mission.
- Evaluate and enhance group volunteer offerings based on feedback and organizational needs.
Youth Volunteer Engagement
- Help develop and coordinate youth volunteer initiatives and volunteer pathways for students and young community members.
- Build relationships with schools, youth-serving organizations, and educational institutions to create a volunteer pipeline.
- Support youth volunteer recruitment, onboarding, training, and recognition activities.
- Promote volunteerism and community engagement among future generations of supporters.
- Ensure youth volunteer initiatives include appropriate screening, consent, supervision, role design, and safeguarding practices.
Qualifications (Experience & Education)
- Diploma or Degree in Human Resources, Volunteer Management, Community Development, Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Communications, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.
- Two or more years of experience in volunteer management, community engagement, partnership coordination, program coordination, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience building and maintaining community relationships and partnerships.
- Experience planning and coordinating volunteer or community engagement programs.
- Experience in the nonprofit sector is strongly preferred.
- Certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA) or related professional designation is considered an asset.
Core Competencies & Skills
All roles at RMH BC & Yukon are expected to demonstrate:
- Mission & Values Alignment: Demonstrates commitment to the mission and values of RMH BC & Yukon in daily work and decision-making.
- Professionalism & Representation: Represents the organization with a positive, respectful, and professional approach in all interactions.
- Collaboration & Relationship Building: Works effectively and inclusively alongside staff, volunteers, donors, and families, contributing to a supportive team environment.
- Communication: Communicates clearly and respectfully with a range of audiences, adapting style as needed.
- Accountability & Reliability: Takes ownership of responsibilities, follows through on commitments, and contributes to team and organizational goals.
Additional competencies critical to success in this role:
- Relationship Building & Community Networking: Builds authentic, lasting relationships with volunteers, community groups, schools, workplace volunteer groups, and stakeholders while creating opportunities for meaningful engagement.
- Volunteer Program Development: Demonstrates expertise in recruiting, engaging, recognizing, and retaining volunteers while continuously enhancing the volunteer experience.
- Initiative & Growth Mindset: Identifies opportunities to improve volunteer programs, strengthen volunteer-related partnerships, and increase meaningful volunteer participation through innovative thinking and proactive action.
- Organizational & Project Management Skills: Effectively manages multiple projects, events, partnerships, and stakeholders while maintaining strong attention to detail and meeting deadlines.
- Presentation & Public Engagement: Confidently represents the organization in the community, facilitates information sessions, delivers presentations, and promotes volunteer opportunities.
- Data Analysis & Reporting: Uses volunteer metrics, participation data, and feedback to guide decision-making, evaluate success, and support continuous improvement.
- Systems & Technology Proficiency: Demonstrates proficiency with volunteer management software, databases, Microsoft Office Suite, CRM systems, and reporting tools.
Role Expectations
- The position is based primarily at Heather House in Vancouver and follows a hybrid work arrangement, subject to operational requirements.
- Occasional travel to Family Room locations and select volunteer recruitment, volunteer engagement, or community awareness activities throughout British Columbia may be required.
- Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends for volunteer engagement, community awareness, or organizational activities.
- Must be comfortable engaging with volunteers, employees, community partners, and stakeholders across multiple locations.
- May be required to lift and transport event and recognition materials weighing up to 20 lbs.
- Valid Class 5 Driver's License is considered an asset.
Screening Requirement:
As part of our commitment to providing a safe and supportive environment for the families we serve, successful candidates must complete a Police Information Check and reference checks as a condition of employment.
What We Offer
We offer a supportive and purpose-driven work environment, including:
- The opportunity to make a meaningful difference for families from across BC and the Yukon.
- Competitive salary and benefits package, including extended health coverage, RRSP matching, generous PTO including vacation, personal days, wellness days, summer fundays and your birthday off.
- A flexible work environment, including a hybrid remote structure.
- A collaborative and supportive team culture committed to impact and innovation.
Compensation
The salary range for this position is $55,000 – $65,000 annually.
Candidates who meet the core requirements of the role can typically expect an offer near the midpoint of the range. Final placement within the range is determined based on experience, skills, and internal equity.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible workplace. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences and encourage those who may require accommodations to reach out at any stage of the recruitment process.
Disclaimer
This job description is intended to outline the general nature and key responsibilities of the role. It is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Duties may evolve over time to meet the needs of the organization.
Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon reserves the right to modify or assign other responsibilities as required.
