Program Coordinator Jobs in Chicago, IL

Job Summary

The Volunteer Program Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that the day-to-day operations of the Medical Center Volunteer Program are running smoothly. This role has direct responsibility for several volunteer programs and supports the overall volunteer department with volunteer recruitment, placement, training, and management to meet staffing goals. The Coordinator is also responsible for providing exceptional customer service to volunteers, creating a supportive environment where volunteers feel useful, engaged, and appreciated.

Duties and Responsibilities

Volunteer Program Operations

• Ensure the day-to-day Medical Center Volunteer Program is running smoothly and that all essential shelter operational tasks are completed each day by providing consistent and thorough floor management.
• Train and onboard new volunteers, ensuring that all required protocols are followed and that volunteers are working efficiently and safely.
• Ensure regular operations by overseeing volunteer tasks and assigning duties, such as dog walking, cleaning, laundry, and other chores.
• Ensure that supplies for volunteer tasks are ordered and in stock, so that volunteers have the tools they need to complete essential shelter operations tasks.
• Together with the team, understand the daily and weekly volunteer schedule and prioritize volunteer tasks and deploy the day’s volunteer workforce appropriately.
• Alongside the Volunteer Program Manager, identify and cultivate additional opportunities and advanced roles for volunteers by working and consulting with Medical Center departments.
• Set a positive tone, ensuring morale remains high through a positive, respectful, and engaging environment for volunteers.
• Build strong relationships with volunteers to know better their interests, preferences, and capabilities to effectively match those against the needs and opportunities at PAWS Chicago.
• Partner with other departments to work effectively with volunteers and ensure staff interactions with volunteers are always positive and constructive.
• Be responsible for following 5S principles to maintain the Medical Center and ensure smooth operational flow.
• Maintain and leverage the Volgistics database of volunteers, ensuring the volunteer data is robust, accurate, and managed to effectively recruit volunteers. Create and pull reports, assist with monthly data audits, and oversee day-to-day database administration.
• Be responsible for assigned volunteer programs, including recruitment, communication, training, stewardship, and advancement.

Volunteer Program Team

• As a member of the Volunteer Program team, participate in team meetings and contribute to overall volunteer program strategies around recruitment, training, retention, and recognition.
• Work on special management and operational projects as assigned.
• Participate in large PAWS Chicago events (some held at the Medical Center; others held off-site) as needed, sharing responsibilities with other members of management team.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Minimum 3 years volunteer coordination, development, or related experience with knowledge of the professional standards for volunteer coordination.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to represent the mission, goals, policies, and core values of PAWS Chicago in a creative and energetic manner.
• Commitment to enhancing and evolving strong and professional volunteer and customer service programs.
• Strong computer skills in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel; experience with Volgistics or CRM databases a plus.
• Exceptionally strong interpersonal skills and the ability to forge effective relationships with a wide variety of people under a wide variety of circumstances.
• Proven organizational skills with attention to detail to manage logistically-intensive programs.
• Excellent public speaking skills.
• Ability to self-motivate, multi-task, and work well under pressure in a dynamic, team environment.
• Flexibility with schedule for days/evenings and weekdays/weekends as needed.
• Ability to travel between multiple PAWS locations as needed.
• Passion for animals and animal welfare.

PAWS Chicago Values-in-Action

• Respect: for each and every life.
• Community: of people and organizations committed to helping homeless pets.
• Innovation: to constantly improve best practices and seek out new ideas and strategies to save more lives. To be a Learning Center that evolves and grows.
• Pro-activity: to solve difficult problems and to be prepared to offer emergency and crisis support.
• Transparency: that informs the public about the fate of homeless animals.
• Education: that raises awareness about the realities that homeless animals face in the community and across the nation, providing a forum for people to get involved in effecting change and promoting and supporting reasonable pet ownership.
• Sustainability: through financial management practices that maximize the impact and reach of our resources and ensure that PAWS Chicago will always be a resource for homeless animals.
• Compassion: towards all people and animals.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, including ancillary options and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Blue Cross Blue Shield.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match.
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick days, and holidays.