Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin is the leading local hunger-relief organization in the state with locations in Milwaukee and Appleton. Founded in 1982 by the Rotary Club of Milwaukee, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin is a local and independent member of the Feeding America network. Driven by our mission to solve hunger, we are bringing more people together around the table to collaboratively address the root causes of hunger. Together with our network partners, we serve nearly half a million food-insecure people across 35 counties in eastern Wisconsin each year.
JOB PURPOSE:
The Volunteer Engagement Coordinator is responsible for delivering an exceptional volunteer experience at Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin. This role recruits and retains volunteers while ensuring they feel welcomed, supported, and valued. The Volunteer Engagement Coordinator oversees day-to-day activities, ensures there is a consistent presence on the floor, and responds to volunteer needs in a timely manner. This role fosters a meaningful connection between volunteers and the organization, aligning efforts with operational priorities. In addition, the Volunteer Engagement Coordinator manages volunteer data, drives program improvements, and holds the team accountable for creating a safe, productive, and rewarding environment. By ensuring consistency, smooth transitions, and a culture of strong engagement, the Volunteer Engagement Coordinator strengthens community impact and advances the organization’s mission.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:
Volunteer Recruitment & Engagement
- Recruit, place, retain, and recognize volunteers to support FAEW programs and operations.
- Develop and implement creative strategies to maintain a robust volunteer pool.
- Foster a culture of volunteerism that offers meaningful, mission-driven experiences.
- Welcome, orient, and train volunteers, ensuring consistency in messaging, safety, and engagement.
- Recognize and appreciate volunteers regularly through feedback, stewardship, and communications.
- Gather and analyze volunteer feedback to drive continuous program improvement.
Scheduling & Coordination
- Coordinate scheduling of individuals and groups for daily operations, projects, and special events.
- Schedule and support daytime, evening, and weekend shifts as needed, ensuring a staff presence during all volunteer activities.
- Partner with internal departments (Operations, Food Systems, Programs, Development, Communications/Marketing) and the other campus to align volunteers with organizational needs and support events and initiatives, including Stuff the Bus, Feed the Body Feed the Soul, Mobile Pantry Packs, Tribal Elder Box Packs, Government Programs, and more.
- Respond to volunteer inquiries within 48 hours to ensure responsiveness and strong service.
Volunteer Program Oversight
- Supervise, support, and evaluate Volunteer Program Specialists, including regular check-ins and accountability for expectations.
- Lead the development, evaluation, and documentation of volunteer processes, including packing, programs, and food safety standards.
- Ensure volunteer projects are well-prepared, safe, and supported with the right tools and supplies.
- Troubleshoot volunteer-related issues and escalate concerns to leadership when necessary.
- Screen and track Court-Ordered Service Workers to ensure a safe and productive environment.
Operations & Safety
- Lead and participate in hands-on projects such as food sorting, packaging, repacking, loading/unloading, and maintaining volunteer areas.
- Train and guide volunteers in warehouse and food safety practices (e.g., FIFO, equipment use, safe vs. unsafe product handling).
- Maintain compliance with AIB standards and organizational food safety policies through accurate documentation, volunteer training, and a clean, safe working environment.
- Report any incidents of non-compliance or safety concerns to Operations leadership.
- Ensure volunteer work areas are consistently clean, safe, and well-stocked.
- Open and close the building as needed, including securing grounds and alarms.
Data & Reporting
- Oversee the volunteer database to track data, communicate with volunteers, and strengthen stewardship.
- Monitor and report on volunteer program metrics, including hours served, pounds packed, and inventory handling.
- Partner with Communications and Marketing to develop promotional materials and highlight volunteer impact.
- Collaborate with Development to align volunteer engagement with donor stewardship and recruitment efforts.
Other Duties
- Provide daily support to Volunteer Program Specialists and Operations teams.
- Backfill for Volunteer Program Specialists when needed.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Commitment to understand and support Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin’s mission, vision, and effective actions to end food insecurity and its causes.
- Respect for the people FAEW serves and commitment to learn the causes of their food insecurity and need
- High School diploma or equivalent, preferred.
- Two years’ experience in the nonprofit sector, customer-service or volunteer-based work, preferred.
- Experience supervising or guiding staff and volunteers, with the ability to set clear expectations and hold team members accountable for achieving strong results.
- Forklift/power equipment certification; must be able to be certified within two weeks of hire.
- The ideal candidate will have excellent public speaking skills, serving as a spokesperson for the food bank.
- Demonstrate exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, energetic environment.
- Strong organizational, detail-oriented and time management skills.
- Ability to multi-task, on a daily basis, realizing the need to adapt quickly in support of organizational needs.
- Eagerness and capacity to learn new instructions, situations, methods and procedures; Effective problem-solving skills.
- Exceptional ability to sustain enthusiastic and positive interactions with volunteers, staff and visitors.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
- A positive, team-oriented mindset with a “can-do” approach to supporting the organization, demonstrating cross-functional collaboration and a focus on developing solutions.
- Ability to work safely following FAEW safety procedures.
- Must be or become within one month of employment ServeSafe Certified
- Demonstrate the ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be open-minded of differing opinions and views.
- Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, with weekend and evening availability.
- Valid Driver’s license, proof of insurance and reliable transportation to support work activities.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and/or hear, and/or use hands to finger, handle, or touch objects, tools, or controls. The employee is required to frequently stand, and/or walk. The employee must have the ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Employee will be required to obtain a Forklift Certification and have the ability of operate heavy machinery. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The mental and physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed in both an office and warehouse environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an individual encounter while performing the essential functions of this position.
Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, Inc. is committed to fostering diversity in our workplace. FAEW does not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of age, race, color, creed, religion, handicap, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical disability, mental disability, or veteran status. Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.