Volunteer Engagement Manager

FareStart is a nonprofit organization in Seattle, Washington that transforms lives, disrupts poverty and nourishes communities through food, life skills and job training. We help people overcome employment barriers by teaching them work and life skills they need to succeed in the food-based jobs — and in life.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, FareStart has provided millions of meals to organizations across the Seattle area that serve youth, adults and families who are low income or experiencing food insecurity.

As the Volunteer Engagement Manager, you will manage an organization-wide volunteer program, including recruitment, training, stewardship, recognition, and engagement of volunteers, for individuals, community groups, and corporate partners; ensure organization volunteer opportunities provide meaningful experiences and connection to the mission. Grounds volunteer program strategies in diversity, equity, and inclusion to cultivate a transformative volunteer program. In 2021, FareStart supported over 1,400 volunteers. Prior to the pandemic, FareStart supported over 3,000 volunteers each year.

• Develops, manages, and implements volunteer program strategies that provide time, skills, and experience to support FareStart’s mission and priorities and the communities we serve; supports organization-wide volunteerism including job training and food security programs, consulting, fundraising events and administrative roles.
• Ensures all volunteer program strategies are developed through a lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion; engages a wide range of volunteers that represent the communities we serve; and works to create a sense of belonging.
• Assesses organizational needs and capacity for volunteer engagement; implements volunteer opportunities to support and build capacity by creating processes, staff supervisor identification, volunteer communication planning, and ongoing project assessment.
• Leads all volunteer recruitment activities; develops and maintains partnerships with volunteer groups and community-based organizations to help ensure volunteers reflect the communities we serve; manages information sessions, employee engagement opportunities, facility tours, community tabling events and other outreach opportunities.
• Develops, manages, and implements volunteer stewardship and recognition including special events and ongoing communications to retain and engage volunteers.
• Develops and implements volunteer training including volunteer orientation sessions, tracking of volunteer qualifications for roles such as background checks, food handlers and other permits and other training needs emphasizing risk management best practices.
• Manages and supports the Volunteer Council, FareStart’s professional and community-based volunteer advisory group; provides relationship management support for organizations represented by Volunteer Council members; and solicits sponsorships and support as needed.
• Manages ambassador volunteers including training, recruitment and scheduling; represents FareStart in the community and makes presentations to community groups in and out of FareStart locations.
• Supports and advises FareStart staff in volunteer supervisory best practices through staff training, volunteer feedback surveys and collaborating on program development.
• Oversees the day-to-day operations of the volunteer program including software and communications (i.e. Galaxy Digital software, Facebook group, volunteer inbox, etc.).
• Manages, analyzes and reports on effectiveness of volunteer strategies; tracks demographics, conducts feedback surveys and other metrics to ensure volunteer program is meeting objectives; and stays abreast of volunteer trends and makes recommendations as needed.
• Manages volunteer engagement-related budget items and vendors.
• Additional duties, as required.

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience
• 4+ years’ experience volunteer programs management required including knowledge of volunteer management practices and risk management issues; volunteer program development preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively across complex organizations and with diverse internal and external stakeholders; ability to communicate clearly, diplomatically, and effectively; strong conflict resolution and facilitation skills
• Strong project management skills and attention to detail; skilled at tracking and reporting metrics and analyzing data to inform strategies and pivots.
• Flexible in a fast-paced setting, ability to work and prioritize under deadline pressure.
• Ability to periodically work evenings and weekends.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite and volunteer management software.

COVID-19 CONSIDERATION: FareStart requires that all employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

• Competitive pay based on experience and qualifications
• Paid time-off (3 weeks in first year of employment) and paid holidays
• 401(k) savings plan
• Health, disability, and life insurance
• Free ORCA pass
• Free Shift Meal

Why Should You Apply?

• Be part of our mission to disrupt poverty.
• Join a supportive, respectful, and celebratory community among our staff, students, board, and volunteers
• Organizational commitment to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace
• FareStart encourages the personal and professional growth of its employees

For information on FareStart, including more information on employee benefits and our company culture, visit our website at: www.farestart.org/about

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity:

FareStart is committed to becoming a fully inclusive, antiracist, diverse organization. To fulfill our mission, vision and values we are seeking candidates who demonstrate shared values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism.

Our Commitment To Anti-Racism

FareStart defines antiracism as the clear acknowledgment that racism permeates organizations, communities, and industries, including our own. We recognize that we have a duty to be vigilant in addressing and confronting racism in how we make decisions, show up in our communities, build business practices and policies, and engage in intentional partnerships and philanthropic endeavors to fulfill our mission and vision.

APPLY HERE: https://hrbrg.co/w3fy75