Conference Volunteer Coordinator for Disaster Recovery

Position Title:            Conference Volunteer Coordinator for Disaster Recovery

Position Status:        Full-time, Salaried, Temporary Grant Funded Position
 
Reports To:                Florida Conference Disaster Response Coordinator

Position Summary: The volunteer coordinator is the crucial, initial point of contact for all incoming volunteer teams. This person provides the first impression to volunteers, helping them feel needed, welcomed, and appreciated. Excellent communication and organizational skills are important as the coordinator must stay current on what types of teams are needed, where they are needed and also recruiting teams to ensure a steady flow of volunteers. The coordinator also maintains the records on all volunteer service. The coordinator works closely with the site volunteer coordinators to ensure they are trained and equipped. The Conference Volunteer Coordinator will manage and map assets, as well as coordinate the movement of equipment (shower trailers, tool trailers, etc.).

Essential Job Requirements:

• An appreciation of the nature and mission of the Church is essential
• An Associate Degree or minimum 2 years managing and/or recruiting volunteer teams
• Safety screening as evidenced by a background check
• Available to work a flexible schedule, including evening and weekend hours to meet client and volunteer availability
• Able to maintain ethical conduct in accordance with organizational policy
• Conduct business in a manner consistent with the mission, values, and policies of the organization
• Able to maintain high standards for protecting client information, sharing confidential information only as agreed upon by the client and as evidenced by a signed release form
• Able to work calmly and effectively to resolve conflicts in sensitive situations
• Able to work collaboratively with others
• Computer literate, able to utilize word processing, database, and spreadsheet software and demonstrate ability to learn new and/or customized software
• Possess excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Be organized and prepared for reports, meetings, briefings, and conversations with clients, staff, external partners, and volunteers
• Ability to supervise and motivate volunteers appropriately, including conflict resolution
• Unquestioned confidentiality with sensitive financial and personal information
• Possess no outside business interest that may conflict with the client or the organization’s goals and objectives
• Demonstrate helpful people skills, such as:
  • genuine care and respect for individuals, families, and communities served
  • awareness of the impact of the disaster on the community, the family, and the individual
  • effective listening and interviewing skills
  • cultural competence relative to the population served
  • sensitivity to the needs of individuals and families in crisis
  • ability to maintain appropriate service boundaries
  • self-awareness
• Active membership in the United Methodist Church is preferred but not required.

Essential Job Functions:

• Communicate effectively with teams during the recruitment and initial scheduling process
• Work with site volunteer coordinators (SVCs) in your assigned regions to understand team needs, assist in scheduling appropriate teams for the work and provide other support as needed
• Serve as the point of contact for your assigned regions to ensure teams have been properly transitioned to the SVCs
• Assist in overseeing management of the volunteer database in Sales Force
• Ensure that all teams follow the online registration process and work with the SVCs in your assigned regions to ensure that all paperwork is complete and submitted on time, including background checks
• Oversee background checks through Verified Volunteers serving as the lead and point of contact for any volunteer who does not pass the background check, including the initial communication
• Be available to the SVCs in your assigned regions to trouble shoot, problem solve and manage challenging situations with volunteer teams
• Work with SVCs in your assigned regions to encourage development of local resources for team accommodations and hospitality (food, lodging, invitations to church events, etc.)
• Encourage SVCs in your assigned regions to collaborate creatively with their team in reaching out to local churches (UMC and others), inviting them to be a part of the recovery
• Coordinate with the regional recovery team in your assigned regions to keep the Long-Term Recovery (LTR) and local community updated on volunteer needs and incoming teams
• Be alert to unusual team situations and inform the digital storyteller when there is an opportunity to highlight a team’s service
• Maintain knowledge of overall recovery process for a specific disaster
• Work with SVCs in your assigned regions and other recovery staff to provide opportunities to acknowledge and appreciate volunteers, including letters and notes of thanks, posts on social media, etc.
• Have a weekly conference call with all SVCs to review team needs, process flow, assist with trouble shooting, etc. Encourage SVCs to share lessons learned, best practices, challenges, successes, etc.
• Regularly visit your assigned region to help welcome teams, observe the interaction between staff and volunteers and help where needed.
• Work with recovery staff to develop a plan to routinely reach out to past teams and invite them to return
• Serve as the lead working with all SVCs to develop a plan for outreach to local churches to share the recovery story and invite their support, provide practical ways the church can assist and coordinate with Regional Team leaders to work together and avoid duplication
• Serves as the lead in developing a plan to reach out to other conferences to recruit teams
• Develop relationships with Annual Conferences and UMVIM Jurisdictional Leadership as assigned to keep them informed about our recovery and volunteer opportunities
• Other duties as assigned

 Working Conditions:

• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle to be able to drive long distances in all areas within the services’ area
• Constant interaction with internal and external third parties for the purpose of collecting and distributing information
• Adaptability to environmental factors, including noises, odors, variable climate, etc.
• Spends over 80% of time sitting; remainder of time includes walking, standing
• Occasional lifting (5 - 10 lbs.) and climbing stairs
• Must work cooperatively and collaboratively with colleagues, clients and other agencies involved in the recovery

FLUMC is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

Please submit your cover letter of interest with resume to employment@flumc.org 

Address: 450 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. Lakeland 33815

Phone: 863-688-5563 ext: 119

Email: Click to email