Job Title: Volunteer & Programs Manager
Location: Atascadero
Supervisor: Engagement Manager
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Hours: Full-time, Tuesday – Saturday, 10:30am – 7:00pm
Rate: $23.00 - $26.00/ hour
Date: July 2026
Job Overview
Atascadero shelter, where every day brings new opportunities to create positive change! Reporting to the Community Engagement Manager, the Volunteer and Programs Manager will work closely with the team, which includes the Shelter Manager and Case Managers, to meet the needs of the ECHO residents and offer enrichment activities throughout the day for adults and children. The Volunteer and Programs Manager will also manage a large volunteer pool for many positions throughout the shelter. This position is also responsible for the recruitment, appreciation, and retention of volunteers through outreach activities.
We are looking for a person who has a can-do attitude, is passionate about engaging individuals experiencing homelessness and/or has experience with this population. We are looking for someone who can work full time, Tuesday - Saturday, 10:30am – 7:00pm, with flexibility for nights and weekends. If you’re ready to work with purpose and drive meaningful outcomes, we invite you to be a part of our mission to transform lives and build a stronger community!
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Essential Duties & Responsibilities
1. Implement a volunteer program that specifically engages high-value volunteers, particularly specialized/skilled volunteers, including the preparation of position descriptions, assessments and training programs to continually enhance ECHO’s capacity to deliver effective and appropriate services.
2. Oversee the management of approximately 1,200 volunteers annually in a variety of roles.
3. Enhance recruitment of community members as volunteers utilizing social media and community education opportunities to strengthen the community partnership.
4. Conduct outreach activities necessary to maintain a volunteer base including recruitment events, speaking at religious and civic organization meetings; placing ads for volunteers on social media channels and volunteer websites and coordinating with local schools and community service programs.
5. Coordinate intern volunteer opportunities including but not limited to College Corps program participation and supervision.
6. Manage the recruitment efforts, scheduling, and training of the Overnight Chaperone Volunteers to fill at least 365 open shifts annually.
7. Develop business partnerships that provide material and volunteer support for ECHO.
8. Regularly assess organizational needs for volunteer services and develop a system to train, support, motivate and reward volunteers within the ECHO organization and in the community.
9. Screen applications to best match applicant’s abilities and interests to volunteer opportunities; solicit applications to suit particular tasks, as needed.
10. Conduct general introduction/orientations for new volunteers.
11. Initiate volunteer meetings for support, in-service training, problem solving, and motivation amongst volunteers.
12. During the public dinner service, from 4:00-6:00pm, serve side-by-side with volunteers during their shifts to provide guidance, to better understand the clients’ needs, and to improve the value of services provided.
13. Identify and assess volunteer needs and identify new ways to show volunteer appreciation to achieve retention.
14. Build sustainable relationships and trust with volunteers through open and interactive communication.
15. Handle volunteer complaints, provide appropriate solutions and alternatives; follow up to ensure resolution.
16. Keep records of volunteer interactions, manage volunteer accounts, track hours, track client participation in programs, and compile impact reports.
17. Take the extra mile to engage volunteers and make them feel a part of the ECHO Team.
18. Coordinate and maintain daytime/evening programs and life skills classes to ensure they are running efficiently and effectively.
19. Create new programs as identified by staff, clients, and community as a needed resource.
20. Ensure outcomes of each program are tracked for grants and publicity.
21. Write client success stories and take photos of program activities for ECHO’s social media and publicity materials.
22. Acts as liaison with outside agencies.
23. Act as the administrator for ECHO’s volunteer management system, VolunteerHub.
24. Compile the monthly volunteer calendars and assist volunteers in using the program.
25. Write a monthly report for the board of directors on the volunteer activities. Write social media posts, newsletter articles and bulletin notices.
26. Is a member of the Events Committee and coordinates volunteer needs for annual events.
27. Works alongside the Community Engagement Manager on various projects, engaging volunteers to be donors, and community outreach events.
28. Assist with general reception duties such as greeting visitors, answering the phones, etc.
29. Follow communication procedures, guidelines and policies.
30. Ensures the safety of the residents, clients, volunteers, and shelter.
31. Driving to meetings and events is a required duty for this position.
32. Consistent and reliable attendance is essential in this role to ensure clients receive dependable, uninterrupted support and continuity of care.
33. Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
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Knowledge, Skills, Talents, & Abilities
The Volunteer & Programs Manager is a full-time position and requires working in the community, networking and developing resources that support the mission of the organization to develop the utilization of volunteers. This position also requires excellent social and business skills from someone who can professionally represent ECHO on many fronts – donors, grantors, media, potential volunteers, other non-profits, and the public. The candidate must have:
1. Provide respectful engagement to adults with histories of chronic homelessness, serious psychiatric disabilities, and co-occurring substance use disorders.
2. Provide culturally competent support to a diverse population.
3. Use de-escalation skills & trauma informed care approach when issues arise.
4. Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to interact with all departments/levels of the organization and outside third parties in a highly professional manner.
5. Ability to work with diverse populations including those facing challenges in the areas of mental health, domestic violence, child welfare services and aging.
6. Excellent time-management and organizational skills with the ability to work independently and take initiative.
7. Calm demeanor; Able to work under pressure; Able to respond to a crisis situation, health or safety issue and take appropriate and immediate action.
8. Able to maintain a high-level privacy and confidentiality of employees’, guests’ and clients’ information.
9. Knowledge of universal precautions and what constitutes a medical or situational emergency.
10. Understanding of mandated reporting laws.
11. Must be professional, flexible, friendly, and work as a team player.
12. Assume ownership for accomplishing assignments, requests and tasks.
13. Intermediate knowledge of Office Suite, including WORD, EXCEL, and PowerPoint.
14. Must be professional, flexible, friendly, and work as a team player.
15. Assume ownership for accomplishing assignments, requests and tasks.
16. Adaptability is essential in this role, as the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of a homeless shelter environment requires flexibility, sound judgment, and the ability to respond effectively to changing client and operational needs.
17. Bilingual Spanish speaking is a plus. $0.50 bilingual pay differential is provided.
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Education and/or Experience
● College degree or high school diploma/GED, depending on experience.
● Minimum one years’ experience working for a non-profit.
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Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
- Must possess a valid California Driver’s License.
- Must have a reliable vehicle, clean driving record, and proof of insurance.
- Must be willing to travel throughout San Luis Obispo County.
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ECHO's Cultural Norms
- Greet all people with a smile and kindness.
- Listen without judgement and consider matters from another's perspective.
- Give everyone the chance to change and grow.
- Treat one another with dignity and respect.
- Be open to provide or receive feedback.
- Resolve conflict in a timely and constructive way.
- Willingness to be adaptable.
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ECHO’s Benefits Package
- Health Insurance – 80% of cost covered by ECHO
- Vision & Dental Insurance – 80% of cost covered by ECHO
- 403b Retirement Savings Plan with up to a 3% annual salary match for eligible employees
- 12 paid holidays per year
- 80 vacation hours per year - accrual rate increases steadily with additional years of service
- 56 hours of paid sick time per year
- 3 Wellness Holidays per summer (June-August)
- Family friendly work environment
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Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is usually sedentary, and frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is regularly required to stand; walk; reach with hands. The employee must occasionally lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and sometimes lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.
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Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The Admin Offices are located upstairs, with only stairway access. Noise level varies from quiet office environment to very noisy shelter and dining hall. Variable work environment; work is conducted mostly indoors.
ECHO is an equal opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, creed, national origin, disability, sex, gender identity, marital status, age, or any other protected status covered by federal or state law.
This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
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**No phone-calls, please**
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $23.00 - $26.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
