Volunteer & EDS (Emergency Disaster Services) Coordinator

Overview

Location : Divisional Headquarters (Hartford, CT)

Hours Per Week : 40 minimally

Schedule : Mon-Fri; 8 : 30 am 4 : 30 pm, may vary depending on need

Scope & Purpose of Volunteer Position : Manage the recruitment and training of volunteers relative to Salvation Army policy and procedures, including scheduling, tracking, acknowledging, ensuring certification, etc.

Support fundraising events, Corps, Service Units, and other programs / departments with volunteer management. Independence, flexibility, a cooperative spirit, and the desire to expand the volunteer programs are crucial.

Scope & Purpose EDS Position : Coordinate and support an effective Salvation Army EDS delivery system for local divisional disaster and crisis needs.

Independence, flexibility, a cooperative spirit, and the desire to expand the EDS programs are crucial.

Responsibilities

• Assist with coordination and publication of quarterly volunteer newsletter.
• Work with the Advancement Department to recruit and schedule volunteers for special fundraising and donor engagement events.
• Assist with maintaining the volunteer web page, use social media to promote volunteerism, and provide content for volunteer stories in conjunction with the Public Relations Office.
• Attend selected events to promote The Salvation Army’s mission and encourage volunteer involvement.
• Direct volunteer meetings.
• Ensure that volunteers seeking opportunities are connected with the appropriate Service Unit, facility, or Corps and follow up with the Service Unit, facility, or Corps to ensure meaningful opportunities are provided.
• Establish and maintain strong community relationships through outreach, including but not limited to volunteer fairs, college intern recruitment seminars, and service-learning events, as well as connecting with community-based volunteer resources.
• Ongoing identification of and recruitment for divisional volunteer needs with Salvation Army Service Units, Corps, programs, and departments as appropriate.
• Process volunteer paperwork, run background checks, maintain volunteer records and reports (electronic & hardcopy), and ensure all volunteers working with minors and vulnerable adults complete the KeepSAfe training.
• Provide educational and informational orientation to volunteers and donors when appropriate.
• Recruit, screen, train, and manage volunteers for special fundraising events.
• Support Corps Officers and department heads with meaningful volunteer placement by creating and updating volunteer project descriptions to provide volunteer direction based on need.
• Utilize the volunteer management database for year-round, seasonal, and project-designated volunteers and maximize its capacity for efficiency and effectiveness.
• Adhere to guidelines for staff responsibilities as found in The Salvation Army’s Employee Manual.

EDS Coordinator Essential Duties & Responsibilities :

• Attend CT / RI VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) and other EM meetings as a representative of SNE EDS as needed.
• Attend related meetings and provide copies of minutes and agendas as directed.
• Keep all computer and hard copy files updated.
• Manage SNE Division’s EDS / Volunteer Database, including updating, badge printing, and communicating with the field as directed.
• Oversee inventory management, utilization, and necessary restocking of EDS supply caches at DHQ and any other designated regional cache.
• Participate in disaster training seminars / conferences, as requested.
• Participate with local and State Emergency Management (EM) as required for planning, preparedness, and response exercises and events.
• Serve as a designated EDS spokesperson when requested and wear official EDS attire when speaking on behalf of The Salvation Army.
• Under the guidance of the Regional EDS Director, provide essential resources and support to local Corps who would like to implement, manage, or expand a local EDS program or team.
• Provide Intro To EDS,’ ServSafe Food Handler,’ CPR / First Aid,’ and other EDS courses throughout the Division as needed.
• Provide run sheets,’ statistics, stories of responses, media information, and photos in a timely manner from EDS teams after responses.
• Recruit, screen, train, and manage volunteers for EDS.
• Receive emergency alerts throughout the Division, provide initial contact with EDS teams and Corps, coordinate additional Divisional resources when needed, and share response involvement with Regional EDS Director.
• Support local responses within the Division, including active responses when needed, utilizing EDS vehicles and resources to provide those impacted with physical, material, and emotional / spiritual care.
• Support maintenance of canteens in a constant state of readiness, upkeep, and cleanliness internally and externally. Provide at least one (1) annual inspection for each SNE Division EDS vehicle / canteen.
• Support one Divisional field exercise per year in coordination with the Regional EDS Director, utilizing canteens, volunteers, and Corps.
• Work collaboratively with other disaster support agencies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in program and non-profit / volunteer management is required.
• Become certified as a Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services responder within six months of employment.
• Complete core EDS training (Intro EDS, ServSafe Manager, NIMS, PFA, ESC, ICS, TTT, .
• Creative thinker with innovative ideas.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Experience with volunteer tracking and database systems.
• Flexibility and a cooperative spirit are crucial.
• Must effectively deal with public relations and possess good presentation skills.
• Must be able to lift to 35 pounds safely.
• Must be able to travel on disaster assignments within and outside of SNE as needed.
• Must be able to travel to various communities within the Southern New England Division relative to volunteer recruitment, training, and placement.
• Must be able to work longer hours when a larger response is needed.
• Must be able to work on an on-call basis as the nature of ministry is emergency based, including holidays, nights, and weekends.
• Must complete all required training upon hire.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and the ability to drive disaster vehicles safely.
• Must have excellent planning, organizational, and management skills.
• Must work well with or without supervision,
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Self-starting, independent worker who energetically demonstrates assertiveness and motivation.
• Will respect and promote the interest of The Salvation Army. The individual is not required to embrace the tenets of faith, but he / she is required to promote and respect the mission of The Salvation Army.

T he Salvation Army is pleased to offer a comprehensive benefit program to full-time employees who work at least 30 hours per week, including...

• Comprehensive health care coverage, including dental / vision / hearing, with low cost employee premiums, co-pays, and deductibles
• Employer-funded pension plan (100% vested after five years of eligible service)
• Telehealth / online doctor visits
• $20K Basic Life Insurance including grief counseling services, funeral planning services, and will / power of attorney / legal document preparation (no cost to employee)
• Voluntary life insurance
• Short-term disability coverage (no cost to employee)
• Long-term disability coverage
• Supplemental insurance coverage options (Aflac, homeowners, auto, and pet insurance)
• Flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent care
• 403(b) tax-deferred annuity plan
• Generous paid time off, including holidays, vacation, sick, personal, bereavement, and marriage leave
• Eligibility for the federal government’s Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program
• Most importantly a job with a great purpose!

Learn more about The Salvation Army's Southern New England Division at

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer : All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.