Blanchet House Volunteer Program Manager
Starting Wage: $30.00/hour
Full-time, non-exempt, overtime eligible
On-site position; remote or hybrid work not available; may require evening and weekend responsibilities
Reports to: Director of Strategic Initiatives
About the Role
The Volunteer Program Manager is responsible for leading and managing Blanchet House’s volunteer program, working closely with volunteers, staff members, and other key stakeholders to promote an engaging and effective volunteer experience. The Volunteer Program Manager ensures that Blanchet House has sufficient volunteer engagement to support its meal services and other programs and services. The Volunteer Program Manager also develops off-site volunteer activities, including sack lunch and clothing drives. This person works closely with their colleagues in the Development Team to foster volunteering opportunities that steward individuals and groups towards greater engagement support for Blanchet House.
About Blanchet House
Founded in 1952, Blanchet House is a nonprofit social service agency whose mission is to alleviate suffering and offer hope for a better life. In addition to serving three meals per day, six days a week at our downtown Portland location, Blanchet House shelters and assists homeless men in their transformation to self-sufficiency. We also operate Blanchet Farm, a 62-acre working farm in Yamhill County where men participate in 12-step/peer support recovery, and Bethanie’s Room, our overnight women’s emergency shelter in NW Portland.
Our Values
- Hospitality - We welcome everyone into our home with kindness and compassion.
- Dignity - We respect the inherent value of everyone inside and outside our organization.
- Hope - We foster optimism and the belief that good things can happen when we work together.
- Integrity - We are honest, reliable, and trustworthy.
- Community - We build relationships and strive toward common goals.
- Authenticity - We honor everyone’s right to be their unique self.
Our Professional Community
Blanchet House staff members foster a professional community and contribute to the organization’s wellbeing. Staff members take active roles in Blanchet House’s community and culture in a variety of ways. They advance the mission, core values, and our commitment to be a house of hospitality.
Blanchet House staff members develop and promote professional, collaborative, and collegial relationships with one another, our organization, and the communities we serve. Staff members exhibit a growth mindset, and respect and work effectively with people from different cultures and with different perspectives and experiences. They learn from and build on diverse cultural and community perspectives and experiences.
Your Strengths
- Able to work effectively in a trauma-informed environment and with individuals in recovery.
- Flexible and collaborative with an ability to reach consensus and respect differing points of view.
- Organization and time management - to prioritize and work on multiple projects to completion.
- Able to solve problems and navigate challenges successfully.
- Strong sense of responsibility, commitment, and follow through. You are dependable.
- Excellent interpersonal skills including showing a positive, supportive, and friendly attitude.
- Willing to learn new things and keep an open mind.
The Position
Day-to-Day:
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Oversee and manage the volunteer program, which includes volunteer recruitment, scheduling, orientation, training, and assessment.
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Collaborate with Meal Services and Residential Services leadership and staff to ensure that Blanchet House has sufficient and appropriate volunteer engagement to effectively support its services and programs.
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Promote, recruit, and organize group volunteer opportunities and activities in support of meal services and other program needs.
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Plan, organize, and coordinate volunteer training and orientation, promoting a safe, effective, and rewarding volunteer experience
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Work closely with colleagues to offer sponsorship and fundraising opportunities for volunteer groups and individuals.
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With the Development Team, work to expand Blanchet House’s engagement with our corporate partnerships who volunteer with us.
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Co-lead the Student Ambassador program for high school students.
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Plan and oversee Volunteer Appreciation Week activities and events.
- Support Blanchet House’s community outreach and engagement efforts, raising the organization’s community profile and its connection to existing and potential volunteers, supporters, and partners; this includes engagement in the business and corporate community.
- Coordinate engagement efforts including the Sack Lunch program, Care Kits and clothing drives, and other ongoing or temporary drives and campaigns in support of services.
- Oversee and support community partners providing pop-up services to the community at Blanchet House.
- Develop new partnerships to enhance supportive services to complement meal services; coordinate logistics with Day Center Services staff.
- Represent Blanchet House in the community, at events and fairs, and other speaking and tabling opportunities.
- Play a key role in inter-departmental communication, operating well across different teams and able to integrate well with both programmatic and administrative teams and priorities.
- Work to maintain the clean and organized volunteer data in our CRM system (Virtuous).
Big Picture Operations:
- Strive to continually uphold Blanchet House core values and workplace agreements.
- Interact with guests in ways that are trauma-informed, positive and uplifting, and with sensitivity to their lived experience.
- Promote and protect the confidentiality and privacy of volunteers, donors, and Blanchet information.
- Demonstrate understanding as to how your responsibilities support and impact colleagues and the organization as a whole; take direction effectively; seek consensus with colleagues.
- Supports the overall success of Blanchet House’s development team’s fundraising efforts
Qualifications:
- In consideration of other applicable experience or training, Blanchet House will consider relevant work experience, volunteering, education and training, and transferable skills.
- At least three years’ nonprofit experience; experience managing and guiding volunteers.
- Experience and skill with community engagement, public speaking, and tabling at events.
- Professional or lived experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness or food insecurity. Understanding of mental health and addiction-related issues a plus.
- Possesses insight about matters of diversity, equity, inclusivity, and social justice; understands how implicit bias may affect working with individuals representing a variety of experiences.
- Ability to work with minimal supervision in day-to-day operations.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills as well as the ability to develop strong relationships with a variety of organizational stakeholders.
- Ability to attend to multiple projects, prioritize, and manage time effectively; excellent attention to detail and the need for precision and diligence in one’s work.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, including Teams, Outlook, Calendar, Word, and Excel.
- Proficient with CRMs and databases, able to effectively use virtual meeting platforms and learn new technology. Able to track and organize data accurately and in a timely manner.
Our Benefits:
- Eligible benefits may include: health/dental/vision coverage for the employee; Canopy Employee Assistance Program (incl. household members); Simple IRA program with (up to) 3% employer match; generous Paid Time Off/Paid Holiday benefit (>5 weeks in Year 1); enhanced pay opportunities on holidays; paid professional development; a work anniversary bonus; cell phone stipend; free parking at Bethanie’s Room and at Blanchet House.
Our Environment:
Many Blanchet House clients experience physical and/or mental health disabilities, mental health and/or addiction crisis, and trauma. Blanchet House also serves a diverse community, and we serve regardless of an individual’s race, ethnicity, religious/faith, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Employees must be willing and able to safely and successfully work in this environment and with marginalized, vulnerable community members.
Physical Demands:
Physical requirements are consistent with physical duties needed from general office staff and event personnel (set-up and break-down duties).
Intentional Equity:
Blanchet House is committed to advancing equity and justice in our organization and in our community. This commitment inspires the Blanchet House staff to:
- Work toward a deeper understanding of the historical, systemic, and contemporary structures and actions of racism and other forms of discrimination, prejudice, and bias.
- Continually identify inequities & implicit biases, eliminate barriers, and innovate our practices to better serve each other’s experiences and needs.
How to Apply:
Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume to careers@blanchethouse.org. Resumes collected by Friday, April 17, will be given first review and preference. No phone calls, please.
Blanchet House of Hospitality is an equal opportunity employer. We will extend equal opportunity to all individuals without regard to race, religion, color, sex, pregnancy), national origin, disability, age, gender identification, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state or local law. Our policy reflects and affirms Blanchet House of Hospitality’s commitment to the principles of fair employment and the elimination of all discriminatory practices.
Job descriptions are a summary of a position’s duties and responsibilities. They are descriptive in nature and do not necessarily define every function of a position. Background check, drug screen, and proof of authorization to work in the U.S. required prior to hire.