IRC Background: The mission of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933, the IRC has a presence in over 40 countries and 27 offices in the United States; the IRC leads the way from harm to home. IRC opened an office in Seattle in 1976 and an office in Spokane in 2022. Both offices provide a continuum of services including intensive case management, employment and economic empowerment services, immigration assistance, health and wellness programming, and education support to refugee and immigrant families in Washington State. IRC Washington is committed to providing trauma-informed, equitable, and accessible services and maintaining and evolving a diverse, inclusive, and supportive workplace.
Job Overview: Under the direction of the Community Engagement Coordinator, the Volunteer Specialist works to support community engagement efforts at IRC Washington with volunteers, interns, and co-sponsors. The Specialist helps facilitate timely, intentional, and effective engagement of volunteers, including their recruitment, orientation, onboarding, scheduling, and tracking of hours across multiple platforms. The Volunteer Specialist also provides support to the Community Engagement Coordinator in the initial recruitment, onboarding, and administrative efforts in relation to sponsor groups. The volunteer specialist will also be responsible for assisting individuals and community groups organizing in-kind donation drives and other projects, assist with the collecting and tracking of items as needed. They assist with documentation of volunteer services and in-kind donations; preparing and distributing outreach materials and other activities supporting community engagement events and presentations for the purpose of helping the development team raise the profile of the IRC in Washington State and further the humanitarian mission at hand.
Major Responsibilities:
- Help respond to inquiries from community members related to volunteer opportunities, community outreach events, in-kind donations, and other related inquiries in a timely manner.
- Prepare for and facilitate orientations and community information sessions for the recruitment of volunteers and interns.
- Provide administrative support and documentation throughout the volunteer recruitment and onboarding process.
- Maintain a volunteer email list and draft regular communications to educate volunteers and provide resource materials on IRC programs, procedures, processes, and successes.
- Support individuals and community groups who are organizing in-kind donations drives. Keep in-kind donation needs up to date. Facilitate donation drop-offs. Help with documentation of incoming in-kind donations.
- Strategize with the Community Engagement Coordinator and Co-sponsorship Coordinator to assist in recruiting and onboarding of co-sponsor groups.
- Provide internal support and training to departments working with volunteers and interns and communicate with program staff about volunteer needs and schedules.
- Collaborate with Community Engagement Coordinator to create content and outreach materials.
- Aid Community Engagement Coordinator with events, fundraisers, and community engagement as needed.
- Represent IRC at meetings, speaking engagements, coalition events when necessary.
- Participate in development team meetings, weekly staff meetings, and national skills building trainings, calls, and communities of practice.
- Participate in regular and ongoing HQ trainings, meetings, and COP’s to retain a thorough understanding of IRC systems and best practices.
- Comply with all policies, procedures, and protocols of the agency.
- Other duties as assigned.
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Position Reports to: Community Engagement Coordinator
Position directly supervises: n/a
Other Internal and/or external contacts:
Internal: Site Director, Program Managers & Staff, Operations Team, and IRC WA Development Team.
External: Volunteers, Interns, Co-Sponsors.
Job Requirements:
- Relevant degree or equivalent professional and/or lived experience.
- Prior experience with communications, community and or/volunteer engagement and other related duties in the non-profit sector preferred but not strictly necessary.
Demonstrated Skills & Competencies:
- Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to work effectively and professionally with community members, partners, volunteers, donors, clients, and colleagues Ongoing commitment to anti-racism
- English proficiency; clear and professional written communication skills and strong editing skills.
- Comfortable adapting to changing needs and priorities.
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
- Ability to work independently.
- Strong attention to detail, related to data entry, documentation, and copyediting.
- Experience creating flyers, informational one-pagers, and/or online graphics.
- Experience coordinating events and engaging volunteers.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Experience using donor CRM systems, especially Salesforce, preferred.
Working Environment:
- Must be based in Spokane area.
- A combination of standard office environment, remote work, and ‘field’ time within the service delivery area to perform the above outlined. Will require occasional weekend and/or evening work.
- Must have a valid driver’s license with legally required insurance. Position will require using own transportation within service delivery area. Mileage reimbursement where applicable.
Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity: IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.
Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.
Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.
Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days (depending on role and tenure), medical insurance starting at $145 per month, dental starting at $7 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus a 3-7% base IRC contribution (3 year vesting), disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.
