JOIN OUR TEAM! Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen is now hiring!

[Luis Olmo-Rivera]

OPEN POSITION 

VOLUNTEER ADMINISTRATOR

Full-time; Sunday - Thursday.  Open until filled. 

 

Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen (DESK) seeks a friendly, dedicated, and outgoing community organizer to oversee DESK’s 2,000+ volunteer corps, consisting of a range of individuals and groups from across Greater New Haven and beyond.  Appropriate candidates will be very social, highly organized, upbeat and energetic, extremely professional, and sensitive to the strains of homelessness and poverty; the successful candidate will also be versed in a variety of communication media (online, oral, witten) and will be very approachable, completely at ease working among a cross-section of New Haven’s community.  Preference given to local residents and those who are Spanish-proficient.

 

Mission & Background Information

DESK serves people experiencing homelessness or living in poverty by providing food assistance and services that promote health, community, and equity.  We are located in Downtown New Haven, just off the Green, where we serve a nightly dinner, offer whole food items through a weekly food pantry, and serve unhoused individuals through New Haven’s only low-barrier Downtown Drop-in & Resource Center.  As DESK continues to build a diverse and inclusive organization, we eagerly consider candidates with diverse work experiences and personal backgrounds.  Candidates are encouraged to use the cover letter to highlight how their background will contribute to a more equitable workplace.  For more information on our programs, history, and vision, visit us online at deskct.org.

 

Core Responsibilities

• Community Organizing  –  The Volunteer Administrator is, at heart, a community organizer, coordinating and scheduling the activities of DESK’s volunteers, including their onsite work and third-party support efforts.
• Outreach & Recruitment  – The Volunteer Administrator conducts outreach and recruitment efforts.
• Logistics Administration – The Volunteer Administrator uses our web-based volunteer management system to schedule volunteer activities, coordinate volunteers, register volunteers, track their hours, and communicate. 
• Onboarding  – The Volunteer Administrator orients volunteers ahead of their first shift and works with program staff to develop onboarding materials and engagement.
• Onsite Coordination  –  Although most onsite coordination is carried out by Program staff, the Volunteer Administrator ensures that they are effectively managed, treated courteously and appropriately, are working in a safe and healthy environment, and receive the proper level of supervision.
• Appreciation – The Volunteer Administrator works with the Development Director and other staff to carry out volunteer appreciation activities and events.
• Client Competency – The Volunteer Administrator works with Program staff to engender a greater sense of empathy and understanding toward the issues faced by those DESK serves on behalf of every volunteer.

 

Must-haves	Nice-to-haves
1+ year working with volunteers Very friendly & courteous Works well under stress Good communication skills (oral, written, online) Team player Independent troubleshooting skills; active listener Enthusiasm for mission	1+ year supervisory experience Experience working with people experiencing homelessness, mental health, or substance use  Excellent communication skills Experience providing basic needs Spanish proficiency New Haven proficiency

 

Compensation

Starting hourly rate will be $19.57 - $22.32, based on experience, background, and start-date.  Health insurance, life insurance, and generous PTO.

 

How to Apply

Candidates should email a cover letter and résumé to [e-mail] with “Volunteer Administrator Application” in the subject line.  

 

DESK is an equal opportunity employer who affirms and values greatly the role of diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages applications from people of all backgrounds and lifestyles.