Volunteer Coordinator in Chicago, Illinois at Night Ministry

At The Night Ministry, our work centers on meeting people with compassion, dignity, and respect during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Across Chicago, our teams provide human connection, housing support, and health care to individuals and families experiencing housing instability and poverty. We believe lasting impact is built through consistency, trust, and showing up for our community every day.

The people who work here are deeply committed to that mission. Our staff bring empathy, professionalism, resilience, and a shared sense of purpose to their work, whether they are serving clients directly in the community or supporting operations behind the scenes. Every department and every role contributes to the strength of our programs and the quality of care we provide.

We value collaboration, accountability, curiosity, and a commitment to equity in both our work and our workplace culture. We are looking for people who are thoughtful, adaptable, and motivated by meaningful work that creates real impact in the lives of others.

Working at The Night Ministry means being part of a mission-driven organization where your contributions matter, your work supports a larger purpose, and your colleagues care deeply about the community and one another.

Position Summary:

The Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for the recruitment, onboarding, scheduling, and engagement of volunteers in support of the organization’s mission and programs. This role serves as the primary liaison between the organization and its volunteer base, ensuring a positive and meaningful volunteer experience while aligning volunteer efforts with organizational needs and strategic goals.

The Volunteer Coordinator also acts as the key point of contact for members of the Board of Directors who wish to participate in volunteer activities or host a volunteer event, as well as for supporters and prospective volunteers identified by the Advancement team. This includes coordinating opportunities, facilitating communication, and ensuring a seamless and rewarding engagement process.

General Purpose:

Promotes the mission and supports the programs of The Night Ministry through recruitment, education, engagement, and stewardship of volunteers.

Role Qualifications:

• Experience recruiting, training, supporting, and stewarding volunteers
• Demonstrated ability to build strong, collaborative working relationships with internal and external stakeholders of The Night Ministry, especially Board and Associate Board members, staff, individual volunteers, corporate, congregation and community groups, donors, and clients.
• Outstanding interpersonal, organizational, oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment, across diverse programs

Position Responsibilities:

Volunteer Relations

• Create and implement a community-wide volunteer outreach and recruitment plan that includes a spotlight on communities where The Night Ministry provides services.
• Schedule and facilitate in-person and virtual orientation sessions for potential volunteers at least quarterly. Ensure that training materials are current and relevant. Coordinate ongoing training and continuing education opportunities to ensure volunteers remain informed, skilled, and aligned with organizational standards.
• Ensure that all applications and waivers are complete and background checks are current. In partnership with People and Culture, oversee compliance with Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) requirements for volunteers working with minors or in programs that are licensed by DCFS.
• Schedule and track meal group volunteers to meet the weekly needs of OHM programs. Coordinate with OHM staff to make sure weekly meal needs are met.
• Working with program and administrative staff lead the process to create opportunities for individual and group volunteers to meet the needs of TNM’s programs.
• Provide guidance and support to staff who are working with volunteers.
• In partnership with Marketing and Communications, maintain regular communication with volunteers through email, newsletters, and other channels to share updates, opportunities, and organizational news, ensuring volunteers remain informed and engaged.
• Respond promptly and effectively to internal and external volunteer inquiries. Assist volunteers with scheduling and communicate volunteer schedules with program staff.
• Maintain volunteer relationships by gathering feedback periodically and responding promptly.
• In consult with SP leadership, program staff, and the Director of People and Culture, address issues with volunteer performance as needed.
• Maintain volunteer opportunities and records in departmental database, currently Timecounts. The department will implement Amplify and the Volunteer Coordinator will support the implementation of the new database and lead the training for staff and new volunteers who will be using the database.
• Plan and implement regular volunteer recognition and annual volunteer appreciation event during Volunteer Appreciation Month with TNM leadership, SP, and program teams.

Departmental

• Represent The Night Ministry in speaking engagements, including corporate Lunch & Learn events, congregational events (including religious services, when requested), on-site volunteer events and community events as needed
• As part of the SP team, assist in the solicitation, receipt, and tracking and acknowledgement of meals, in-kind donations and gift cards.
• Participate in the department’s activities related to the annual Holiday Celebration, including acquisition and tracking of gifts, quality control, wrapping, distribution, and thanking donors.
• Track and report volunteer metrics and impact to support organizational goals and participate in departmental evaluation activities related to the strategic plan.
• Maintain familiarity with agency’s mission and target populations and communities served using current literature and agency materials
• Attend staff, agency, and inter-agency meetings, trainings and seminars as assigned; participate in the agency’s public relations and fund-raising activities as required
• Perform other related duties as assigned by supervisor

This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the responsibilities and qualifications required for this position. It is not an exhaustive list, and duties may change as business needs evolve.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• One to two years’ experience in a nonprofit setting, preferably in volunteer engagement
• Outstanding interpersonal, organizational, writing and public speaking skills
• Able to maintain a flexible schedule, with frequent evening and weekend work, including up to two weekends a month, and the days leading up to Christmas Eve.
• Creative, detail-oriented team player and self-starter who can stay organized and multi-task in a busy environment
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and strategize
• Current driver’s license, good driving record, and evidence of insurability
• Demonstrated success and comfort working with diverse populations, cultural and faith traditions
• Computer literacy (Microsoft Office, NXT, Timecounts, Amplify, Sterling Volunteers, Paylocity)

Reporting to this position:

No direct reports.

Benefits:

At The Night Ministry, we recognize that meaningful work is best supported by a workplace that values wellbeing, growth, and balance. We are committed to offering a comprehensive benefits package that supports our employees both personally and professionally.

Eligible employees have access to medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement savings with employer match, paid time off, paid holidays, and opportunities for professional development and ongoing learning. We also strive to foster a collaborative and supportive culture where employees feel valued, respected, and connected to the mission and impact of their work.

Physical Demands, Work Environment, & Reasonable Accommodation:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The Night Ministry is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you require accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job or to participate in the application or hiring process, please contact the People & Culture team.

• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; climb stairs; crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally drive an automobile; and lift and/or move 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Work environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but may vary at the different locations required in this job. This role may require additional hours, sometimes weekends, during certain busy seasons.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

The Night Ministry is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.

At-Will Employment Disclaimer

This job description is not intended to be an employment contract. Employment with The Night Ministry is at will and may be terminated by the employee or the organization at any time, with or without cause or notice.