Volunteer Coordinator (Volunteer Position)

Blind Professionals Network (BPN) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to empowering blind and visually impaired (BVI) individuals to achieve professional success. We provide free career development, specialized training, and a vital peer network to break down employment barriers.

Position Summary

The Volunteer Coordinator is a critical operational role responsible for managing BPN’s most valuable resource: our people. This position oversees the entire volunteer lifecycle, including recruitment, screening, onboarding, and ongoing engagement. The Coordinator ensures that every BPN volunteer is placed in a role that matches their skills and that they feel supported, valued, and connected to our mission.

Key Responsibilities

Recruitment & Talent Acquisition:

Sourcing: Develop and implement strategies to recruit diverse volunteers, including industry experts, administrative support, and BVI mentors.
Screening: Review applications and conduct initial interviews to assess candidate skills, availability, and alignment with BPN’s values.
Placement: Work with the Program Director and Program Managers to identify staffing gaps and place volunteers in roles where they can have the most impact.

Onboarding & Training:

Orientation: Lead virtual orientation sessions for new volunteers, covering BPN’s history, mission, and internal policies.
Accessibility Training: Coordinate or provide training on BPN’s standards for digital accessibility and professionalism.
Documentation: Ensure all volunteers sign necessary agreements (NDA, Code of Conduct) and receive their "Volunteer Handbook" in accessible formats.

Volunteer Engagement & Retention:

Culture Building: Organize virtual volunteer appreciation events, "meet-and-greets," and recognition programs to foster a sense of community.
Communication: Act as the primary point of contact for volunteer inquiries, ensuring timely responses and clear communication across the organization.
Support & Feedback: Implement regular "Volunteer Satisfaction" surveys to identify areas for improvement in the volunteer experience.

Operational Support & Reporting:

Database Management: Maintain an accurate and up-to-date volunteer database (using Excel and Google Sheets) including contact info, skills, hours served, and background checks.
Impact Tracking: Monitor and report on volunteer metrics (e.g., total hours, retention rates, recruitment progress) to Executive Leadership.
Offboarding: Manage the exit process for departing volunteers, including exit interviews to gather feedback for organizational growth.

Qualifications

Experience: Proven experience in volunteer coordination, HR, recruitment, or community organizing.
Technical Proficiency: Advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel) and Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive, Forms) are required for managing the volunteer database.
Interpersonal Skills: Strong ability to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds and motivate people in a remote, volunteer-driven environment.
Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a focus on empathy and clarity.
Organization: Superior attention to detail and the ability to track multiple moving parts (applicants, active volunteers, and schedules) simultaneously.
Accessibility Knowledge: Familiarity with screen readers and a commitment to ensuring all volunteer forms and portals are fully accessible.
Personal commitment to the mission of BPN and empowering professional success of BVI individuals.

Reporting Structure

This position reports to the Membership Director.

Time Commitment

This is a volunteer position requiring an estimated commitment of 5–7 hours per week, with flexibility needed for conducting interviews and attending leadership meetings.

Application

If you believe this position aligns with your skills, experience and career goals, please follow these steps to begin the application process:

Submit Your Credentials: Send your resume and a letter of interest to Training@BlindProNet.org. In your letter, please detail your relevant professional experience and your specific motivation for joining the Blind Professionals Network Team.
Complete the Application: After submitting your application, finalize your application by completing the BPN Volunteer application.

Important Note: Completing both of these steps is essential to initiate our onboarding process and helps us ensure a mutually beneficial placement within the organization.