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About East Side Learning Center (ESLC) ESLC envisions a community where “all children read with pride and joy to become life-long learners.” The mission, “unlocking each child’s potential through the foundation of reading,” aims to provide children with the skills needed to be successful in school, graduate, and fulfill their potential as future leaders.
Position Overview: The Volunteer Manager plays a critical role in ensuring the success and sustainability of the East Side Learning Center's volunteer literacy tutor program. This position is responsible for recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, training, and supporting a team of volunteers who tutor children in grades K-3. The Volunteer Manager will ensure that volunteers are well-trained, supported, and motivated to deliver high-quality educational experiences for students, while also helping to build a welcoming, collaborative, and productive volunteer community.
Email cover letter and resume to: admin@eslcmn.org
Responsibilities
Volunteer Recruitment, Screening & Onboarding • Recruitment: Design and implement strategies to attract a diverse group of qualified literacy tutors. This includes outreach through community organizations, schools, active senior centers, colleges, banks, corporations, faith congregations, social media, and local businesses. Attend job fairs, post volunteer job descriptions on recruitment websites, make presentations about the importance of volunteer tutoring. Lead the efforts and partner with staff in writing and implementing volunteer communications, including email, maintaining volunteer content on the website, social media, volunteer recruitment websites (Hands on Twin Cities, VolunteerMatch, etc.) and print outreach materials. • Screening: Follow up on potential volunteer leads and applications. Conduct interviews with prospective volunteers to assess their qualifications, passion for working with children, and commitment to the program’s goals. • Onboarding: Ensure compliance with all requirements (state, Federal, AARP Foundation, and ESLC) regarding onboarding, including reference checks, required paperwork and background checks
Volunteer Training & Support • Orientation and Training: Along with program manager, develop and deliver comprehensive volunteer orientation and training programs to ensure that all tutors understand the expectations, teaching strategies, and tools necessary to be effective. Provide ongoing professional development as needed. • Tutoring Support: Offer guidance to volunteers and work with program manager to provide regular check-ins and support to address challenges and offer feedback. • Substitute for Tutors: In cases of volunteer absence or emergency, step in as a tutor to ensure continuity of service for the children.
Volunteer Scheduling & Coordination • Scheduling: Help coordinate and maintain volunteer schedules, ensuring sufficient tutor coverage for all assigned students. Address any conflicts in scheduling and adjust as needed. • Calendar Management: Develop and maintain a comprehensive calendar for volunteer activities, training sessions, and tutoring schedules.
Relationship Building & Retention • Volunteer Engagement: Foster strong relationships with volunteers, ensuring that they feel valued, supported, and connected to the mission of East Side Learning Center. • Retention Strategies: Develop and implement strategies to retain volunteers, including regular communication, feedback loops, and opportunities for skill-building and growth within the organization. • Recognition: Plan and organize volunteer appreciation events and recognition activities to celebrate volunteer contributions, such as annual volunteer appreciation events or monthly recognition highlights.
Volunteer Satisfaction & Effectiveness • Feedback and Evaluation: Regularly assess volunteer satisfaction through surveys, one-on-one meetings, or group discussions. Identify areas for improvement and ensure that feedback is acted upon. Monitor and evaluate volunteer effectiveness and student progress and provide additional training or resources where needed. • Conflict Resolution: Serve as a liaison to facilitate positive outcomes and mutual understanding in cases of disputes or disagreements among volunteers or between volunteers and staff. Address concerns or issues raised by volunteers in a timely, professional, and solution-focused manner.
Program Development & Reporting • Volunteer Program Development: Work with the Executive Director and other staff members to develop and improve the volunteer program, ensuring that it aligns with the overall goals and mission of East Side Learning Center. • Reporting & Documentation: Maintain accurate records of volunteer participation, training, and feedback. Regularly report on volunteer program activities, successes, and challenges to the Executive Director. Update and maintain the volunteer handbook. Maintain and audit volunteer files.
Qualifications
Skills & Competencies: • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport with volunteers, staff, and students. • Excellent organizational and time-management skills. • Ability to work independently and as part of a team. • Experience in training and mentoring. • Excellent public speaking and presentation skills. • Knowledge of child development and/or literacy education strategies is a plus. • Ability to remain flexible and adaptable in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and volunteer management software is preferred.
Personal Characteristics: • Passionate about education and community engagement. • Patient, empathetic, and able to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds. • Detail-oriented with a strong focus on accuracy and consistency. • Energetic and proactive, with a strong sense of initiative. • A collaborative team player who can also work independently when needed.
Experience: At least 2 years of experience in volunteer management or a similar role; experience working with children in an educational or mentoring capacity is highly desirable.
East Side Learning Center
Saint Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota 55103
US
