NEW POSITIONS POSTED ON MAY 13, 2025

Volunteer & Community Connections 

About Good Cheer Food Bank and Thrift Stores & The Opportunity

Good Cheer Food Bank and Thrift Stores is a community-focused organization with roots dating back to the 1960s. We’re dedicated to fighting food insecurity and providing affordable goods to the community through our food bank and two thrift stores. With food bank visits consistently increasing over the past four years, volunteers play a crucial role in our ability to serve the community effectively.

The Volunteer & Community Connections Coordinator position is essential to our operations across all three locations. This role combines volunteer management (80%) with our Community Connections program (20%). You’ll establish robust volunteer systems while also fostering partnerships that connect food bank shoppers with additional community resources. A key priority will be expanding our successful partner tabling program, where representatives from community organizations come directly to the food bank to share resources addressing challenges beyond food insecurity

The right candidate will help cultivate a thriving volunteer program while strengthening our Community Connections initiative that links shoppers with essential resources. This role requires someone who can build relationships, develop systems, and approach both volunteer coordination and community partnerships with structure and warmth. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by enhancing our volunteer program and expanding our partner tabling efforts while supporting our mission to serve an expanding community need.

What We Offer

• Compensation: $22.19 per hour
• Health benefits: Dental and Vision insurance
• Paid time off: 11 paid holidays per year, plus 10 days of PTO annually
• Sick leave: Accrues at 1 hour per 40 hours worked (in accordance with Washington State law), with up to 40 hours carrying over annually
• Flexible work arrangements that support work-life balance
• A collaborative culture that values diverse perspectives
• Meaningful work that directly improves community wellbeing
• Supportive team environment
• 25% off at Good Cheer thrift stores 

Hours

Part time, 28-30 hours per week

Key Responsibilities

Program Development & Systems 

• Create and implement strategic volunteer recruitment, retention, and appreciation plans in collaboration with the Executive Team
• Evaluate current volunteer management processes, identify gaps or inefficiencies, and implement standardized systems with clear documentation and training materials
• Develop volunteer position descriptions in collaboration with team leads
• Design and implement volunteer tracking systems that measure impact and engagement
• Maintain volunteer program documentation, policies, and procedures
• Create content for volunteer recruitment materials and communications
• Maintain and update Community Connections resources 
• Maintain up-to-date weekly schedules and welcoming signage for Community Connections

Volunteer Engagement & Support 

• Respond to all inquiries about volunteering
• Conduct interviews, orientations, and tours for new and existing volunteers
• Match volunteers with appropriate roles based on skills, interests, and organizational needs
• Coordinate new volunteer training with appropriate staff members
• Build relationships between staff and volunteers, recognizing volunteers as potential donors
• Work with team leads to address any volunteer-related concerns
• Design and execute volunteer appreciation initiatives including monthly recognition programs, annual celebration events, milestone acknowledgments, and personalized appreciation strategies across all sites

Partner & Community Outreach 

• Lead volunteer recruitment efforts in collaboration with the Outreach Coordinator
• Coordinate with the Outreach Coordinator on social media content featuring volunteer opportunities and impact stories
• Prepare public presentations about volunteer opportunities
• Maintain positive working relationships with volunteer partners
• Work with community groups and businesses to plan and implement group volunteer days
• Support and promote community events
• Serve as a connector between volunteers and the Development Officer by identifying and sharing information about volunteers who show interest in supporting the organization financially
• Provide volunteer success stories and impact metrics to support organizational communications
• Identify opportunities to grow our partner tabling program, including evaluating current partnerships, exploring opportunities, and developing systems to measure tabling impact
• Schedule visits with partner organizations and maintain relationships with them (Community Connections)
• Track and renew partner organizations’ MOUs and proof of insurance annually (Community Connections)
• Share news and updates with the Outreach Coordinator for communications (Community Connections)

Administrative Support 

• Maintain comprehensive volunteer database with accurate records of contact information, skills, availability, hours served, training completed, and engagement history
• Prepare monthly and quarterly reports analyzing volunteer metrics including retention rates, service hours, program coverage, and demographic information to inform strategic decisions
• Schedule dedicated on-site presence at each location (food bank and both thrift stores) at least one full day per month to observe operations, strengthen relationships with site teams, and identify volunteer needs directly
• Coordinate volunteers for shifts at each location, events, and special projects
• Develop a reliable system for shift coverage, including an on-call volunteer pool and emergency staffing protocols for unexpected absences
• Track volunteer appreciation supplies and manage related resources
• Ensure documentation of necessary volunteer forms (e.g., photo releases, waivers)
• Track Community Connections program engagement and prepare monthly reports 
• Maintain the Community Connections database 

Qualifications

Required

• Experience in people coordination, team leadership, or community organizing
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to connect with community members from diverse backgrounds
• Exceptional organizational abilities with attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency with database management and reporting
• Experience with Google Workspace or similar office software
• Ability to work some weekends and occasional evenings for volunteer events

Preferred

• Experience with volunteer programs in any capacity (as coordinator, volunteer, or supervisor)
• Experience working in nonprofit environments
• Background in community engagement or outreach
• Experience with any type of scheduling or people management software
• Familiarity with food banks, thrift stores, or similar community service organizations
• Understanding of rural community dynamics and needs
• Spanish language skills
• Experience developing systems and standardized processes

Work Style & Attributes

• Self-motivated with ability to both work independently and collaborate effectively
• Creative problem-solver who thrives in dynamic environments
• Passion for community-focused nonprofit work
• Skilled at managing multiple priorities while maintaining quality
• Commitment to equity and inclusion principles
• Empathetic and patient approach to working with diverse volunteers
• Resilient with a sense of humor when facing challenges

Note to Applicants

We recognize that no single candidate will possess all the listed qualifications. Given our island location and community focus, we strongly encourage individuals with transferable skills and non-traditional experience to apply. While specific volunteer management experience is valuable, we value adaptable skills, local knowledge, and passion for our mission just as highly. If you’ve coordinated people in any capacity – whether in work, community, school, or personal settings – and you’re excited about strengthening our volunteer program, we want to hear from you.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume and cover letter to “directors@goodcheer.org” with the subject line “Volunteer & CC Coordinator – [Your Name]”. In your cover letter, please highlight your relevant experience in volunteer coordination and why you’d like to work with Good Cheer.

Note on Accessibility: If you require reasonable accommodations during the application process, please contact us at directors@goodcheer.org, 360-221-0130, and we’ll do our best to address your needs on a case-by-case basis.

Application deadline: Open until filled

Good Cheer is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive workplace. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, particularly those from historically underrepresented communities.

Good Cheer is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from BIPOC, bilingual and bicultural individuals, women, people who have experienced poverty, members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, color, veteran status, religion, gender, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, mental or physical disability, medical condition, national origin, ethnicity, political affiliation or marital status, or any other characteristics protected under Federal or State laws or local ordinance. Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified applicants with disabilities may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.