Northeast Iowa Food Bank

The ideal Volunteer Outreach Coordinator for the Northeast Iowa Food Bank understands and is passionate about the organization’s mission to provide nutritious food and grocery products to those in need in our 16-county service area. This individual will be a vital component of the Development Department in engaging the community in volunteer opportunities at the Food Bank in the fight against hunger. As a Volunteer Outreach Coordinator, this team member must demonstrate outstanding organizational, planning, and implementation skills to provide optimal volunteer experiences and develop new volunteer program opportunities. The ability to work in a fast-paced and progressive environment will be key to success in this role, as the Northeast Iowa Food Bank continually strives to work towards closing the Meal Gap in northeast Iowa.  

This individual will have exceptionally articulate public speaking and interpersonal skills, which will be critical for the development of strong relationships between volunteers, clients, coworkers, and the community. Cultural competency is of utmost importance, as the Volunteer Coordinator will work with diverse populations on a regular basis. The Volunteer Outreach Coordinator must possess a strong sense of initiative to continually improve the Food Bank volunteer programming and experience and take on other duties as necessary.  

A passion for social justice and compassion for others are keys to being a staff member at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank. At the Northeast Iowa Food Bank, we strive to work as a unified team to close the Meal Gap in northeast Iowa. To this end the Volunteer Outreach Coordinator will need to be capable of working as a team member, as well as being a self-starter. In addition, maintaining a positive outlook will play a large role in being a motivator and encourager for volunteers, clients, and staff members alike.

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The responsibilities of the Volunteer Outreach Coordinator include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Responsible for all recruitment of volunteers needed at the Food Bank by developing and implementing a recruiting strategy.

• Responsible for developing relationships with volunteer groups including but not limited to churches, schools, organizations, and businesses.

• Work to ensure a positive volunteer experience through engaging volunteers/volunteer groups.  

• Work with the Volunteer Experience Coordinator in coordinating the project plan for groups.

• Responsible for training and orientation of all Community Service, AARP, and AmeriCorps Volunteers.

• Be responsible for assisting volunteers signing up for volunteer shifts through volunteer software and manage volunteer information database systems and volunteer and group volunteer documentation.

• Be able to present about the Northeast Iowa Food Bank and the various volunteer opportunities in recruitment capacity by engaging community through presentations and conversations. Act as an ambassador for the Northeast Iowa Food Bank to communicate the mission to volunteers and the public.  

• Communicate in an effective, organized, and detail-oriented manner to ensure proper communication both internally and externally.  

• Work with the Volunteer Team to coordinate, lead, and plan volunteer events and offsite packs.

• Maintain volunteer work areas and equipment to the highest standard for food safety and volunteer safety/comfort.

• In instances of a federal, state or locally declared emergency, NEIFB is typically considered an essential service and emergency responder; all employees may be called in to perform regular or emergent duties.

• Other duties as assigned.

Required:

• Public speaking, being able to talk to a wide range of groups.

• Ability to multitask, delegate, and adhere to deadlines in a fast-paced environment.  

• Ability to work nights and weekends on occasion.  

• Exceptional oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.  

• Entrepreneurial approach to meeting challenges.

• Proficiency in MS Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• Culturally competent, ability to work with diverse groups and individuals.

• Must pass a criminal background check.

• Valid driver’s license, safe driving record, current vehicle insurance and ability to use personal vehicle for OFB business.

• Ability to perform physical labor as necessary (stand/walk/move for long periods of time, lift to 50 pounds, work with warehouse equipment).  

• Ability to develop strategies to accomplish objectives.

• Ability to work as a team player yet work independently checking in as appropriate.

Preferred

• 4-year degree or 5 years’ experience related to sales, writing, marketing, or communications; combination of education and experience

• Experience in presentations.  

• Proficiency in marketing skills.

• Experience as an organizer.

• Experience with non-profit organizations.

• Creative, innovative, and big-picture thinker.

Desired

• Experience in food banking.

• VolunteerHub software experience.

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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.  

This position operates in both a typical office environment, in the community, as well as in the warehouse and requires use of a computer and other office equipment, such as phones, calculators, computer printers and copy machines and the ability to operate manual and automatic pallet jacks, pallet wrapping machines, cardboard baler, and cleaning equipment. This position also requires occasional nights and weekends so the ability to travel and work remotely in various environments is a necessity.  

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.  

The position operates in a variety of settings both in and out of the Food Bank such as office desk, cooler, freezer, warehouse, and volunteer workrooms as well as a variety of locations in the community. Ability to communicate in a clear speaking voice in person, before large groups and over the phone. Ability to interpret instructions and questions when asked. Routine travel to meetings, functions, and special events is normal, which requires driving. The person in this position will be required to be able to move pallets of food using pallet jacks, stay on their feet for up to four hours at a time, and work in the cooler and freezer. The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry objects up to thirty pounds.  

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NEIFB Core Values                              

• Attitude of Helpfulness

• Confidently Humble                        

• Clear Communication

• Empathetic to the Community

• Solution Centered                            

• Striving for Excellence

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NEIFB Core Focus

Our Purpose:

Collaborate + Educate + Advocate = Feed the Food Insecure

Our 10-year target:

Every Meal. Every Day. Everyone.

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Northeast Iowa Food Bank hereby affirms it is an equal opportunity employer, offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, gender expression or identity, pregnancy, leave status, genetic information or age and provides Equal Employment Opportunity to handicapped individuals, disabled veterans and veterans of the Vietnam era.  Further, the Northeast Iowa Food Bank is an equal opportunity provider.