Volunteer Recruitment and Retention Specialist Administrator I

Introduction

The Maryland Department of Aging helps establish Maryland as an attractive location for all older adults through vibrant communities and supportive services that offer the opportunity to live healthy and meaningful lives. Through action, investment, leadership, and reform, the Department will create a society in which all older Marylanders can lead lives that are healthy, financially secure, socially connected, and purposeful throughout their full lifespan.

16

36 S. Charles St.,
Baltimore, MD 21201

The Volunteer Recruitment and Retention Specialist is responsible for building and sustaining a strong designated volunteer ombudsman workforce for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. This position leads recruitment, onboarding, retention, training coordination, volunteer engagement, and quality assurance activities that help ensure volunteers are prepared, supported, and effective in advocating for residents of long-term care facilities. The role works closely with program leadership and local ombudsmen to strengthen volunteer participation, improve volunteer performance, and maintain consistent standards of service.

This position develops and implements strategies to recruit qualified volunteers, retain active volunteers, support volunteer satisfaction, and monitor the quality of volunteer ombudsman work. The specialist helps ensure that volunteers receive the training, supervision, feedback, and tools needed to carry out their responsibilities, including regular facility visits which will require travel throughout the State of MD, resident advocacy, complaint assistance, and reporting.

The position also tracks recruitment and retention trends, identifies barriers to engagement, and recommends improvements to strengthen the volunteer program over time. This will require strong writing and documentation skills.

• This is a contractual position with limited benefits**

• Develop and implement recruitment strategies to attract qualified volunteer ombudsmen.
• Create outreach materials, presentations, and marketing campaigns for volunteer recruitment.
• Build relationships with community organizations, senior centers, faith communities, civic groups, universities, and other recruitment partners.
• Represent the program at community events, volunteer fairs, and public education opportunities.
• Identify target audiences and recruitment channels to increase awareness of volunteer opportunities.
• Develop retention strategies to support volunteer satisfaction and long-term commitment.
• Coordinate recognition, appreciation, and engagement activities for volunteers.
• Maintain regular contact with volunteers to identify concerns, barriers, and support needs.
• Assist in resolving volunteer participation issues and work with local ombudsmen to keep volunteers active and connected.
• Monitor turnover trends and recommend actions to improve retention and volunteer experience.
• Coordinate orientation, initial designation training, and continuing education for volunteer ombudsmen.
• Ensure training curriculum reflects current program requirements, resident rights, complaint processes, confidentiality standards, and reporting expectations.
• Schedule trainers, mentors, field experiences, and make-up sessions as needed.
• Track training completion, designation status, and ongoing education requirements.
• Provide direct training or co-facilitation as appropriate to support volunteer readiness and consistency.
• Monitor volunteer activity, reporting, and case documentation for quality and consistency.
• Review volunteer submissions to ensure they meet program expectations and reporting standards.
• Coordinate with local ombudsmen to provide feedback, coaching, and corrective support when issues are identified.
• Observe volunteer practice in the field as needed to assess readiness, communication, and adherence to program procedures.
• Identify recurring training gaps or performance issues and recommend corrective action or additional support.

• Maintain volunteer records, contact lists, certification files, training logs, and retention data.
• Track recruitment outcomes, retention rates, training completion, and volunteer participation.
• Prepare reports, summaries, and trend analyses related to volunteer activity and program performance.
• Support documentation needed for internal monitoring, state reporting, and program planning.
• Assist with scheduling, communications, and administrative coordination related to volunteer management.

• Collaborate with the State Ombudsman, local ombudsmen, trainers, and volunteer coordinators.
• Support statewide and local planning efforts related to volunteer development.
• Assist with volunteer appreciation events, recognition activities, and public awareness campaigns.
• Participate in special projects that strengthen volunteer engagement, training, or outreach.
• Other duties as assigned by the Secretary, Deputy…