VOLUNTEER MANAGER

Position Description

2020

Mission

826CHI is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting students ages 6 to 18 with their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write. Our services are structured around the understanding that great leaps in learning can happen with one-on-one attention, and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success. More information can be found at www.826chi.org.

Culture

826CHI is a creative organization that highly values collaboration, creative, and strategic thinking. Our work is grounded in goals set by our strategic plan and put into motion through collaboration. At 826CHI, we take both pride and joy in our work and operate with a high degree of professionalism. Staff members work both independently and as part of a team. Our model is inherently community-based and responds to the history, dynamic, and culture of Chicago.

Commitment to Inclusion

As an organization committed to encouraging youth in their creative expression, personal growth, and academic success, 826CHI recognizes the importance of diversity at all levels and in all aspects of our work. In order to build and maintain the safe, supportive 826 environment in which great leaps of learning occur, we commit to inclusion: We will not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, nationality, marital status, English fluency, parental status, military service or disability. We strive to put our values into action through planning, decision making, and community building.  

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Volunteer Manager oversees all aspects of volunteer and intern engagement at 826CHI. This includes the planning, execution, and evaluation of volunteer initiatives. The Volunteer Manager oversees and supports mentorship of volunteers to ensure 826CHI delivers the highest quality support to Chicago students and furthers our mission.

826CHI seeks someone with experience building community-based relationships and managing a diverse team of volunteers. This person is a skilled communicator (to all ages and all levels of learners), is flexible with their schedule (this position requires some evening and weekend availability), is a thoughtful educator (knows how to hold space for youth and how to teach others to do the same), and is willing to travel across Chicago to engage volunteers in a range of community settings and neighborhoods. The successful candidate will exhibit an attitude that is equal parts can-do and can-inspire-others-to-do.

THE ROLE

The Volunteer Manager plays an essential role in bringing volunteer support to all areas of operations, development, and educational programs. Through recruitment, training, management, and appreciation, the Volunteer Manager advances 826CHI organizational priorities set forth in our strategic plan, such as building an informed and diverse volunteer community. This is an ideal opportunity for a self-directed, highly organized person with a passion for youth education, community development, and civic engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Partnership Building and Outreach

• Develops and implements volunteer recruitment strategies
• Builds strategic volunteer partnerships with community organizations; including faith-based groups; neighborhood groups; sororities, fraternities, and student groups; affinity groups; and other community-based organizations
• Manages service-learning collaborations with local university and college partners, including info sessions and workshops on higher learning spaces.
• Co-stewards corporate partner relationships: Works with the Development Team to build corporate volunteer engagement opportunities for corporate sponsors and teams from the business community

Management and Appreciation

• Manages 826CHI’s AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer Coordinator, a year-long service position
• Manages semester-long interns and fellows
• Coordinates and co-leads bi-monthly New Volunteer Orientations
• Manages volunteer screening and background checks
• Manages Salesforce Volunteer database, including data input and analytics
• Manages annual volunteer program evaluation and planning
• Manages volunteer appreciation campaigns and events
• Co-manages volunteer groups on social media, including Mission Control, a private volunteer facebook group
• Oversees volunteer committees
• Engages in monthly calls with 826 Network staff

Resources and Training

• Updates volunteer handbooks and other volunteer resources
• Works with Program Team to plan the volunteer training skill training sessions, such as how to engage students in the classroom, cultural competence when working with youth community
• Works with Program Team to generate resources that equip volunteers with methods and strategies for engaging youth
• Develops onboarding regimen that enforces cultural competency, quality arts education, youth development, and understanding the landscape of public education in Chicago
• Manages 826CHI’s volunteer resource website, Secret Agent Headquarters

Alumni Fellowship and Internship Program

• Manages partnerships with universities and community partners
• Works with Communications Team to update internship content on the 826CHI website
• Works across departments to update internship content/position descriptions
• Recruits, hires, and onboards semester-long interns
• Manages educational, goal-oriented program experience for interns and fellows
• Manages intern evaluation and appreciation
• Works with the Student Data and Impact Coordinator to launch 826CHI’s Alumni database
• Launches 826CHI’s new Alumni Fellowship Program

Reporting

The Volunteer Manager reports to the Executive Director and manages the Interns and Volunteers.

Qualifications and skills

• Enthusiastic belief in the mission of 826CHI and commitment to youth development
• Minimum 5 years experience working with nonprofits
• Demonstrated understanding of non-profit management and volunteer support methods
• Excellent communications skills, both written and oral including public speaking
• Excellent organizational skills
• A strong work ethic, a collaborative spirit, and the ability to manage multiple independent projects successfully
• Flexible schedule, occasional nights and weekends required
• Experience facilitating groups, strong public speaking and presentation skills
• Experience developing and implementing of anti-oppression and anti-racist workshops
• Travel required, access to a car or reliable transportation a must
• CPS graduates are strongly encouraged to apply
• Spanish proficiency is a plus

APPLY

826CHI is an equal opportunity employer. 826CHI is committed to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic team. We strongly encourage applicants from underrepresented communities in the education and nonprofit sectors to apply. 826CHI does not discriminate in hiring. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for this and all posted positions.  

To apply, please submit your letter of interest, resume, and list of three professional references to Hiring@826chi.org.