Volunteer Specialist

Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree required

- Experience in adult education, training, facilitation, or public speaking

- Prior experience with CASA, child welfare systems, or working with volunteers strongly preferred

- Knowledge of trauma-informed care principles and child advocacy

- Strong facilitation and presentation skills, with the ability to engage diverse adult learners

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills

- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

- Ability to build rapport with volunteers from diverse backgrounds

- Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate training curriculums

- Experience in providing volunteer supervision and ability to manage people preferred

- Experience in working with computer software: Microsoft Office suite, Zoom, Teams, etc.

- Understanding and commitment to CASA’s mission, vision, and values

Summary of Responsibilities

This position leads Lone Star CASA in identifying and institutionalizing best practices regarding volunteer training, engagement, and retention. This individual will be committed to playing a key role in the development and training of volunteers in tandem with the Program team. This position will ensure Lone Star CASA has well-educated and resourced volunteers ready to serve on cases and carry CASA’s mission forward.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Volunteer Screening and Training

- Coordinate all Information Sessions and ensure material is up to date.

- Coordinates with the Development Team and Community Engagement Coordinator the promotion of volunteer opportunities, information sessions, and training to ensure that opportunities are publicized in print, online and via email.

- Responds to volunteer inquiries and tracks contact/screening information and communications in database in a timely manner

- Review, coordinate, and interview all prospective volunteer applicants

o Applications, interviews, references, background check results, and other items as needed

- Ensures that all volunteer references and background checks are completed in compliance with agency policy, and as mandated by National and Texas CASA

- Develops, maintains, and facilitates agency-approved training materials for all volunteer training in accordance with agency policy

- Works with the program team to develop a list of training needs and coordinates and arranges for speakers

- Produce, prepare, and maintain all necessary documentation as well as supplies that will be needed for trainings

- Collaborate with CASA program staff to assist prospective volunteers with a successful transition from pre-service training to accepting a case

- Schedule, coordinate, and implement PSVT and Helping Heart training

Volunteer Retention

- Drives volunteer engagement efforts, ensuring CASA maintains focus on continuous improvement of the volunteer experience, engagement, and retention

- Identifies and implements new and innovative strategies to enhance volunteer engagement and retention

- Plan and execute the annual Volunteer Appreciation Banquet and other volunteer engagement events in partnership with the programs team

- Keep up to date list of current inactive and active volunteers and ensure documentation is up to date

- Create and send volunteer newsletter twice a month

- Maintain the Current Advocate section of the website, ensuring content is relevant, current, and comprehensive

- Works in partnership with the Program Manager in making preliminary matches of volunteers on cases as well as those volunteers returning from leave

Casework and Volunteer Supervision

- Maintain a small caseload

o Supervise CASA volunteers, providing guidance, direction and motivation

o Assist the volunteer in identifying permanency plans to ensure a safe and permanent home

o Attend and participate in staff and case related meetings, support and supervise the volunteer’s court reports, testimony and court attendance

o Assist in making contacts and/or visits when needed

o Provide direct victim services to include but not limited to: Advocacy, Assistance with Crime Victim Compensation and Texas SAVNS, crisis intervention, information and referral, and accompaniment to court

o Work cases as a staff advocate when volunteers are not available

Other Responsibilities include:

- Represent CASA at community meetings or recruiting events as directed

- Provide records for grant maintenance and board meetings as requested

- Complete a minimum of 12 hours of continuing education annually and attend national, regional, and state conferences and meetings

- Complete special projects and tasks as assigned

Conditions of Employment

- Schedule includes regular office hours and some evening and weekend work, requires flexibility and availability

- Must have daily transportation

- Must pass all background checks

- Ability to sit and type at a computer for at least 7 hours per workday

- Ability to lift 15-25 pounds

- Occasionally carry out or assist with other duties not in this job description

Pay: From $43,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• Training & development: 1 year (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $43,000