Organizational Overview: United Way of the Lakeshore (UWL) is an independent not for profit organization serving Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana counties.
Summary of Position: The Volunteer & Community Engagement Coordinator advances United Way of the Lakeshore's mission by connecting people, businesses, and community organizations through meaningful volunteer service across Muskegon, Oceana, and Newaygo counties. This position serves as the regional hub for volunteer engagement by administering the region's volunteer management system, recruiting and supporting volunteers, coordinating regional days of service, facilitating volunteer placements, and building collaborative partnerships with nonprofit organizations, schools, businesses, and civic organizations. The Coordinator plays a key role in expanding volunteerism, strengthening community connections, measuring volunteer impact, and supporting United Way initiatives that improve lives throughout the region.
Qualifications and Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or two years of experience in volunteer coordination, regional program management, event planning, or community outreach. Volunteer engagement experience, program development and community collaboration efforts preferred. Experience with CRM software and grant platforms preferred.
Skills:
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, critical thinking skills, leadership and self-motivation
- Ability to effectively communicate with diverse social/economic audiences in groups and one-on-one, a perceptive listener.
- Coordinates and helps UWL directed programs and initiatives.
- Builds strong relationships with the ability to work with volunteers, agencies, and the community as a whole.
- Researches and collects data to maximize community impact work.
- Proven time management, planning, organizational and analytical skills.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure, to be part of a team, and to meet deadlines.
- Must possess a valid driver’s license, reliable personal transportation, and willingness to travel frequently across Muskegon, Oceana, and Newaygo counties. Occasional evening or weekend availability is required for special events.
- Experience with Microsoft Office and volunteer management CRM database
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership & Community Engagement
- Participate as a member of the United Way team in strategic planning and implementation to accomplish the organization's mission and goals.
- Represent United Way of the Lakeshore at community meetings, special events, business associations, Chamber of Commerce events, college campuses, civic organizations, and other public venues to promote volunteerism and community engagement.
- Provide staff leadership and support to assigned internal and external committees, task forces, and collaborative groups.
- Attend professional development opportunities, trainings, conferences, and community meetings as appropriate.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with nonprofit agencies, schools, businesses, faith-based organizations, and community leaders to strengthen regional volunteerism and collaboration.
- Support additional United Way initiatives, special events, disaster response efforts, and community engagement activities as assigned.
Volunteer Engagement & Community Programs
- Recruit, interview, train, orient, schedule, and support volunteers for United Way initiatives and community partner organizations.
- Develop outreach strategies to attract and engage diverse volunteers, including individuals, retirees, students, families, and corporate groups.
- Match volunteers and volunteer teams with meaningful service opportunities that align with community needs and volunteer interests.
- Coordinate volunteers supporting United Way flagship initiatives, including early childhood literacy, housing stability, food access, and other community impact programs.
- Design and implement volunteer recognition and stewardship efforts that encourage long-term engagement and retention.
- Collaborate with Marketing and Development staff to promote volunteer opportunities and community impact initiatives.
Volunteer Center Operations
- Serve as the administrator of the region's volunteer management platform, supporting volunteer recruitment, opportunity management, agency participation, and user experience.
- Provide technical assistance, onboarding, and training to nonprofit organizations utilizing the regional volunteer management system.
- Approve agency profiles, oversee volunteer registrations, and maintain accurate volunteer and organizational records.
- Coordinate the Volunteer Center's centralized ICHAT and Sex Offender Registry screening program and ensure compliance with active Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs).
- Assist with the organization, training, and utilization of Volunteer Center technology platforms and resources.
Community Impact & Corporate Engagement
- Coordinate regional volunteer initiatives that strengthen community impact throughout Muskegon, Oceana, and Newaygo counties.
- Plan, organize, and execute regional Day of Caring events, including project development, site assessments, volunteer recruitment, sponsor engagement, and event logistics.
- Collaborate with Development staff to identify corporate volunteer opportunities that support employee engagement, workplace campaigns, and sponsorship initiatives.
- Recruit, train, and coordinate volunteers supporting United Way's Community Investment process, including grant review panels, site visits, and related activities.
- Assist with fundraising initiatives, grant development, and reporting that support volunteer engagement and community impact efforts.
Data Management & Reporting
- Maintain accurate volunteer, agency, and project information within United Way CRM and volunteer management systems.
- Conduct periodic database audits to ensure data quality and integrity.
- Collect, analyze, and report volunteer impact metrics, including volunteer participation, service hours, and estimated economic value.
- Prepare reports and data summaries to support grants, funders, board committees, community dashboards, and organizational planning.
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUESTS
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. Must be able to perform tasks which involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work on a daily basis. Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation, and the ability to lift up to 25-40 lbs. Employees are subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions. Employees must drive to and report to various locations to perform work on occasion.
United Way of the Lakeshore is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive company culture and does not discriminate against candidates and employees because of their disability, sex, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, veteran status, or any other protected status under the law.
DISCLAIMER CLAUSE
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work required of this position. It is not meant to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.
Benefits:
- 403(b) plan
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Vacation and Sick Leave
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
Pay: $40,000.00 - $48,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
