Job description:
Job Title: Volunteer Care Manager (In person or Remote)
Scope of Position: Souls Harbour Rescue Mission is built on a high-impact volunteer model where volunteers are not an add-on, but a vital part of our ministry. They are entrusted with meaningful work, treated as part of the team, and invited into the mission with both rights and responsibilities. If donors are the lifeblood of Souls Harbour, volunteers are the veins - carrying that impact into every part of the organization.
The Volunteer Care Manager leads a large and growing volunteer network of over 2,000 individuals serving in 8 cities and towns across Nova Scotia. Working through a team, the Volunteer Care Manager creates a volunteer culture that is energized and engaged, where people find purpose in serving and experience the heart of Souls Harbour - a place of welcome, hope, and dignity.
Organizational Relationships & Supervision:
Location of Position: Maynard
Reports to: Director of Philanthropy (DoP)
Supervises: Volunteer Care Staff Team
Authority: Charge & oversight of the volunteer program and team, including authority to hire and release volunteers in coordination with department heads.
This person will NOT oversee volunteers who serve on the Board of Directors unless they are volunteering in a different capacity outside of Board meetings.
Possible Interrelations: Managers, HR dept
Non-Negotiable Requirements:
- Must be willing to work according to the Souls Harbour Rescue Mission statement:
Souls Harbour Rescue Mission exists to rescue people from poverty, addiction, and despair by offering emergency help, such as food, clothing, and shelter, life changing recovery programs, and the Gospel Message.
- Must be willing to agree with the Souls Harbour doctrinal statement (as per staff manual)
- Must be bondable - criminal record check required
- Must have a vehicle and valid driver’s license. Mileage will be provided.
- Must be willing to occasionally adjust regular working hours for volunteer events, presentations, training, recognition activities or other organizational needs.
- This role is part of the Fundraising Department, and volunteers are to be regarded with the same level of care, stewardship, follow-up and professionalism as donors. As part of the Fundy team, the Volunteer Care Manager may also be required to assist with seasonal fundraising activities during harvest season.
Qualifications:
- Minimum five years of progressive experience in volunteer management, volunteer engagement, community engagement, or a related field, including leadership experience supporting a large, multi-site volunteer program of comparable size and complexity
- Formal education, certification or significant professional development in volunteer management is strongly preferred, with a recognized professional credential considered a strong asset
- Demonstrated understanding of recognized volunteer management standards, screening practices, risk management and the Canadian volunteer sector
- Must be able to be diplomatic when dealing with a diverse group of volunteers
- Strong managerial ability with excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Strong organizational and administrative ability, including databases, scheduling systems, spreadsheets, reporting and digital record keeping
- Familiarity with volunteer management or CRM systems such as Volgistics, Virtuous, or similar platforms
- Comfortable addressing performance concerns, conflict and difficult volunteer situations when required
- Strong networking and community relationship-building skills
Expected Results:
Objective: Create and nurture a volunteer culture rooted in welcome, hope and dignity, where volunteers are given meaningful opportunities to contribute and see themselves as an important part of the mission.
Specific Duties:
Working within the general guidelines of Volunteer Management Professionals of Canada, and the Volunteer Care Manager is responsible for the following:
- Lead and support the Volunteer Care team, ensuring clear responsibilities, consistent practices and appropriate follow-through so the department’s responsibilities and obligations are carried out effectively
- Train and onboard new employees within the Volunteer Care department, ensuring they understand departmental systems, standards, procedures and expectations
- Work with Managers to ensure they are properly onboarded to Souls Harbour’s volunteer management principles and consistently apply them within their departments, helping to build a strong volunteer culture across the Mission.
- Participate in special events and staff meetings as required
- Champion a strong, mission-focused volunteer culture across Souls Harbour, ensuring volunteers feel welcomed, valued, respected and connected to the purpose and work of the organization.
- Help staff and leaders understand their role in creating a positive volunteer experience, providing coaching, resources and practical guidance on how to welcome, engage, support and appreciate volunteers.
- Promote a culture where volunteers are viewed as meaningful partners in the mission and are given appropriate opportunities to contribute their skills, experience, time and interests.
- Encourage opportunities for volunteers to deepen their involvement with Souls Harbour over time, recognizing that strong volunteer relationships can lead to long-term advocacy, community engagement and support for the Mission.
- Grow the active volunteer base year over year, with recruitment targets established annually in consultation with the Director of Philanthropy.
- Work with Department Heads to identify volunteer needs, maintain standards of volunteer work, and ensure appropriate supervision of volunteers on site
- Engage and mobilize the community in support of the organizational mission through presentations, events, tours, networking, church connections and other community partnerships
- Monitor volunteer recruitment, retention, participation and service trends, and provide appropriate reporting to leadership
Orientation, Placement, and Training
- Implement and maintain consistent standards for volunteer recruitment, screening, placement, orientation, training, recognition, performance management and release, within established organizational policies and direction
- Ensure required Criminal Record Checks and other applicable screening requirements are completed and properly tracked
- Maintain a high level of proficiency in the volunteer management system, ensuring all data entry and database practices conform to Souls Harbour’s established standards, including addressing, scheduling, communication, documentation and reporting
- Ensure all volunteer records are accurate, current, and well-documented, including detailed notes, communication history, screening requirements and required documentation
Evaluation, Recognition, and Retention
- Improve volunteer retention year over year, with retention targets established annually in consultation with the Director of Philanthropy, excluding unavoidable attrition.
- Provide consistent follow-up with volunteers and internal teams, ensuring clear communication, smooth placement, continuity of care and appropriate resolution of concerns
- Provide guidance and support to Department Heads and staff on effective volunteer engagement, supervision and performance concerns
- Other duties as assigned by supervisor
Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday (flexible)
Some shifts may be switched to cover for holidays & vacations
Some shifts may be switched due to off hours speaking engagements.
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Vision care