Volunteer Coordinator

The Organization:
The Florence Project was founded in 1989 to respond to a representation crisis for indigent non-citizens detained at the rural Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Detention Center in Florence, Arizona. Through our programs today, we provide services to thousands of adults, youth, and children detained in Eloy, Florence, Phoenix, and Tucson, Arizona on any given day. In 2001, the Florence Project implemented our Integrated Social Services Program, one of the first of its kind in this field. The Florence Project provides high quality legal and social services and supports initiatives for national changes in immigration law and policy.

Volunteer Coordinator:

The Volunteer Coordinator will build onto, strengthen our volunteer program, and manage all elements of volunteering at the Florence Project. This role involves assessing volunteer needs within the organization, and meeting those needs through recruitment, placement, and retention of volunteers. This position will work primarily with our Pro Bono and Development teams and will liaise with Human Resources in the development of policies and procedures. The position is supervised by the Adult Pro Bono Program Manager but will serve both the adult and kid’s teams

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Maintain, improve, and develop systems and recommendations to efficiently screen and utilize volunteers throughout the organization; improve and maintain systems to respond to volunteer requests, recruit and organize volunteers such as interpreters, psychologists, and medical professionals, as well as volunteers to support our efforts in fundraising, donor stewardship, special events, and communications.

• Maintain and encourage existing relationships.

• Expand and manage volunteer Interpreter/Translator Program.

• Research and draft volunteer policies, procedures, and standards of volunteer service.

• Liaise with teams throughout the organization and assess their need for volunteer assistance.

• Host and attend recruiting events within the community to attract qualified candidates, and work to publicize opportunities for volunteers. Attending community events and speaking at community engagements about the work of the Florence Project.

• Interview volunteers and ensure they are appropriately matched and trained for a position.

• Serve as point of contact for all volunteers, including volunteer inquiries, orientation, and general training.

• Monitor, support, and motivate volunteers and their work.

• Celebrate volunteering by organizing volunteer recognition programs and nominating volunteers for awards.

• Monitor and evaluate all aspects of our volunteer programs to ensure effectiveness and recommend/implement changes as appropriate.

• Maintain accurate records and provide statistical and activity reports on volunteer participation.

• Develop and maintain relationships with other volunteer organizations, attend committees and meetings.

• Maintain databases and perform other administrative duties.

• Collaborate across teams to support law school engagement, such as spring break and other volunteer-based visits to the Florence Project;

• As part of the pro bono team, serve as Spanish interpreter when needed for pro bono attorneys. Engage as necessary in other work throughout the organization to ensure an understanding of the Florence Project’s work.

• In cases involving low-bono services, limited interaction with the accounting department may be necessary to initiate or facilitate communication between low-bono volunteers and accounting department.

Other Duties & Responsibilities:

• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree preferred. A combination of relevant experience and education will be considered.

• Fluency or advanced proficiency in Spanish required.

• Excellent communication skills.

• Experience managing or coordinating projects.

• Empathy with volunteers and an understanding of their needs.

• The capacity to inspire and motivate others.

• The ability to deal with information in a confidential manner and respond with sensitivity.

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage a variety of tasks.

• Administrative and IT skills, and an ability to maintain records and produce clear written and oral reports.

• Proven computer skills.  Advanced understanding of basic office applications.

• Experience working across different sectors and developing links with other agencies.

• A flexible and non-judgmental approach to people and work.

• Demonstrated commitment to advocating for indigent immigrant clients in a respectful and empowering way, zealous support of the Florence Project’s mission, and displays a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

• Must be comfortable working with people with criminal convictions.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with diverse populations.

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

• Accuracy and attention to detail a must.

• Ability to do repetitive tasks for long periods of time.

• Effectively manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.

• Demonstrate to be a hardworking, flexible, respectful team player that can work effectively in a collaborative, innovative, and client centered work environment.  Ability to work independently, be adaptable and reliable in the face of conflict, pressure, crisis or changing priorities.

• Must be able to pass federal and state background checks.

• Occasional travel between Phoenix, Tucson, Eloy, Florence, and Nogales is required for this position.

• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Preferred Requirements:

• Prior office administrative experience is strongly preferred.

• Prior work or internship experience in immigration rights, human rights, criminal justice, or a nonprofit legal services setting is a plus.

• Prior advocacy work in immigrant rights, human rights, LGBTQ rights, criminal justice, or experience working with trauma survivors is a plus.

• Experience with databases and data tracking (i.e., Legal Server).

• Prior experience managing volunteers, experience with the Florence Project, and prior office administrative experience is a plus.

• Other languages is a plus.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands:

• Operate in a professional office environment and requires the ability to sit for long periods of time with intermittent walking, standing, bending, squatting, pulling, and pushing.

• Requires the ability to use standard office equipment such as scanners, computers, keyboards, phones, shredders, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. Requires the ability to lift up to ten pounds – accommodation may be available.

• Requires travel between offices, and secondary work locations.

• This position can be based in either the Florence Project’s Tucson or Phoenix office, with occasional travel to Tucson, Phoenix, Eloy, Florence and Nogales

• Effective September 1, 2021, FIRRP has implemented a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy. To comply with this policy, active employees must be fully vaccinated by October 15, 2021. Employees seeking an exemption due to a medical condition or sincerely held religious belief should contact our Human Resources Department at humanresources@firrp.org.

Salary & Benefits:

This is a full-time position. Salary is competitive for our field and geographical area and is commensurate with experience: $41,000-$51,250 Annually DOE. We strive to create and uphold a positive, supportive, and inclusive work environment for all staff. We offer excellent benefits, including:

• Medical plans including health, dental, vision coverage, subject to plan terms

• Short Term Disability

• Eligibility for group benefits such as voluntary life insurance, subject to applicable waiting periods

• Retirement plan, subject to plan terms

• Paid Time Off earned on a biweekly accrual basis- Twenty-five (25) Days of Vacation Time, annually

• Five (5) Days of Medical/Sick Time, annually

• One (1) Day of Personal Time, monthly

• Eight (8) Week Paid Sabbatical, after three years of employment

• Bereavement leave.

• Company-paid federal holidays, all observed

• Eligible for Parental Leave which includes Twelve (12) paid weeks

• Mileage reimbursement for travel between offices and places of work.

• Relocation Assistance for out of state new hires.

Application Procedures:

This is an immediate opening. Salary is commensurate with experience. The position will remain open until we receive enough qualified applicants. To apply, please submit a cover letter detailing your interest in the position as well as your resume, and three professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and candidates are encouraged to apply early. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. The Florence Project values diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages applications from people of color, LGBTQ individuals, persons with disabilities, and members of underrepresented communities.

At FIRRP, we recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the requirements of a job.  If your experience is close to what you see listed in our current job opportunities, please still consider applying.  Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and excellence, which is very much valued at FIRRP.  Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.  Please let us know if you require accommodations during the interview process.

This job announcement is for informational purposes only and is subject to change and modification without notice. This job announcement includes a non-exhaustive list of responsibilities, qualifications and requirements of the position, but does not necessarily include all the job functions of the position. This position is eligible for membership in the union Proyecto Solidaridad-FIRRP affiliated with OPEIU Local 251.