Volunteer Coordinator

The Position:
The KidSmart Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for the recruiting, training, and managing of volunteers to support the organization’s programs and mission.

Key Responsibilities:
Responsibilities of this position include the successful execution and overall coordination of all listed below.

1. Recruitment & Outreach: Engaging with community members, schools, and corporations to recruit a diverse group of volunteers through various channels (Job Boards, Volunteer Fairs, Tabling Events, etc.).
2. Screening & Onboarding: Use of volunteer management software to ensure that volunteers have completed the volunteer agreement and running volunteer orientation at each event to introduce the mission and ensure volunteers understand the organization’s values, expectations, and policies.
3. Training & Development: Providing training sessions to equip volunteers with the skills needed for their roles and offering ongoing support or development opportunities.
4. Scheduling & Coordination: Managing volunteer schedules, ensuring enough coverage for events and programs, and coordinating volunteer assignments based on availability and skills.
5. Supervision & Support: Planning workload with operations and development teams, ensuring preparations for, and overseeing volunteers during events or regular shifts, offering guidance, and resolving any challenges that may arise.
6. Recognition & Retention: Organizing recognition events, awards, or other appreciation efforts to keep volunteers motivated and engaged (including quarterly and as needed newsletters).
7. Data Management & Reporting: Maintaining accurate records on volunteers and hours, roles, and impact reporting to stakeholders and analyzing program effectiveness. Ensuring reporting on grant deliverables.
8. Program Development: Collaborating with other departments to develop volunteer opportunities aligned with the organization’s goals and strategies.
9. Giving Club: Implement strategies to recruit and retain members for the Giving Club financial support. Conduct efforts to grow the organization’s member base, including presentation and in-person networking.

Volunteer management of key KidSmart programs includes, but is not limited to:
Push for Pencils, All Corporate Partner Drives, Corporate Community Engagements Activities, Walmart Tax-Free Weekend, Mission Immersion Distribution Day Event, Annual Surprise Birthday Party, KidSmart on the Go!, KidSmart Park and Shops, Free Store Operations, Coffee Tours, Fundraising Events.

The Volunteers Coordinator shall coordinate the above programs and, with the Director of Retail and Programs, shall help develop a comprehensive plan outlining measurable goals, timeline, execution, ongoing stewardship, and reporting for each.

Qualifications:
Ideal candidates for this position will share a commitment to KidSmart’s mission, an entrepreneurial spirit, be self-motivated and results-driven. He or she will bring a proven track record of successfully meeting or exceeding goals.

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Successful demonstration of people and project management.
• Strong and effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Effectively manage and execute multiple projects simultaneously.
• Superior organizational skills.
• Strong project management.
• Microsoft Office and database management proficiency.
• An entrepreneurial spirit and high level of creativity and innovation.
• A collaborator and relationship builder.
• A team player and team builder with a heart for the KidSmart mission.
• Flexibility in scheduling work hours to accommodate special events, board meetings, or other occasions beyond the standard workday.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion in handling volunteers.

Compensation:
Hourly $20-22 per hour. KidSmart offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health, dental & life insurance; participation in 401K; generous leave schedule; annual professional development.

Application Process:
To apply, please send a letter of interest and resume via email only to:
Ronnie Winterich, Director of Retail and Programs ronnie@kidsmartstl.org

For more information about KidSmart, please visit the website at: http://www.kidsmartstl.org
KidSmart is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to recruiting a broadly diverse pool of qualified candidates for the position.

The KidSmart Organization:
KidSmart was founded in 2000 with a mission to empower children in need to succeed in school by providing free essential tools for learning. Since its inception, KidSmart has distributed more than $95 million in free school supplies to 200,000+ economically disadvantaged children in the St. Louis area. Donations and gifts from individuals and businesses help keep KidSmart stocked with thousands of surplus and new items. At present, more than $8 million worth of free supplies are distributed annually into classrooms and the hands of local kids in need.

KidSmart can be characterized as mature beyond its years with a talented, connected, and well-developed board, and a committed staff. It is widely respected in the community by funders, the school systems, teachers, and community leaders. The organizational culture can be described as sophisticated yet down to earth, gracious, and creative, and further distinguished by a commitment to setting and achieving high goals and standards.

KidSmart Key Programs:
1. The KidSmart Free Store is where teachers shop for instructional supplies and educational incentives, at no cost, to equip St. Louis kids in need. The store is an educational resource center that provides support and inspiration for enhancing educational opportunities for children living in high needs communities.
2. Crafts with Conviction is a collaborative program with the Missouri Department of Corrections in which 1000+ offenders volunteer their time and labor to transform donated raw materials into educational and incentive items that are distributed by KidSmart.
3. On the Go! is a KidSmart distribution initiative, which takes KidSmart’s services, literally, on the road and directly into classrooms in high needs communities.
4. KidSmart Pop Up Shop & Drive-Thru Distribution are the newest KidSmart distribution initiatives in which KidSmart “pops-up” in a central location, for a one-day event to distribute $300,000-$1,000,000 in free school supplies to immediately equip thousands of KidSmart students in high needs communities.

KidSmart is the only free educational supply store in Missouri and serves students in 205 St. Louis-area schools, over 4000 local classrooms, with priority given to schools meeting high need indices. KidSmart moved to a new, permanent home in 2020, located in Maryland Heights, MO, in the Westport footprint. The organization is governed by a 15-member board of directors.