What are the responsibilities and job description for the Volunteer Operations position at CPAC — Future of Freedom?
Ideal For
A student who has already run something — a club, a floor, an orientation crew — and now wants responsibility for other people's time in a much higher-stakes setting.
The Volunteer Operations Intern recruits, schedules, trains, and deploys the volunteer corps that makes large events possible. This role gives an intern genuine responsibility for other people's time — an unusual and valuable experience at the entry level.
Core Duties
- Recruit volunteers through campus, coalition, and member channels.
- Maintain the volunteer database including availability, skills, and assignment history.
- Build and publish volunteer shift schedules and manage substitutions.
- Prepare and deliver volunteer training materials and orientation sessions.
- Serve as day-of point of contact for volunteer check-in, assignment, and questions.
- Track attendance, no-shows, and performance notes for future cycles.
- Coordinate volunteer credentials, apparel, meals, and staging areas.
- Execute post-event volunteer thank-you and retention outreach.
Role-Specific Qualifications
- Organizational skill sufficient to manage dozens of moving schedules simultaneously.
- Comfort giving direction to peers and adults, including in person on event day.
- Warm, patient communication style under pressure.
- Availability for the full event window.
Standard Qualifications — All Internships
- Current enrollment in an accredited college or university; eligible for the Federal Work Study Program where applicable.
- Senior in high school, recent high school graduate, or GED equivalent.
- Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and accuracy.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and general computer literacy.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
- Reliable, punctual, and professional demeanor.
- Discretion with confidential and pre-release information; adherence to all organizational policies, including confidentiality, data handling, and workplace safety standards.
- Prior office or customer service experience is a plus but not required.
Internship: minimum 16 hours per week, in person, Alexandria, VA. You are allowed to work up to 40 hours a week with limited overtime opportunities.
Every intern completes the program's five core competencies and attends the annual conference. Expect a written midpoint review, weekly one-on-one supervision, and a documented portfolio of completed work.
For current openings please visit CPAC.org/ApplyNow
Please note this role is open during one of the cohorts each year and may not be open for each cohort or semester depending on needs.
CPAC.org/ApplyNow will redirect you to our application portal where you can apply for open positions and is a system operated by our HR partner TriNet via app.trinethire.com