Volunteer Engagement Coordinator

Founded in 1974, Second Harvest of Silicon Valley is one of the largest food banks in the nation and a trusted nonprofit leader in ending local hunger. The organization distributes nutritious groceries through a network of nearly 400 partners at drive‑through and walk‑up sites across Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. Due to the prohibitively expensive cost of living in Silicon Valley, the economic downturn caused by the COVID‑19 pandemic, and the rise in inflation, Second Harvest is now serving an average of about 500,000 people every month.

Second Harvest also connects people to federal nutrition programs and other food resources, and advocates for anti‑hunger policies on the local, state and national levels. Visit shfb.org to learn more about how Second Harvest is responding to the incredible amount of need in Silicon Valley.

This role focuses on delivering an excellent volunteer experience by creating a welcoming, inclusive, and engaging environment. The position supports the end‑to‑end volunteer experience, educates volunteers about our mission, and expresses appreciation for their service. In addition, this role provides customer service, scheduling assistance, and administrative support for the Volunteer Engagement Department, helping ensure a smooth and positive experience from start to finish.

• Are passionate about ending hunger and making a meaningful community impact
• Have a strong customer service and hospitality orientation
• Care deeply about delivering a consistent, high quality volunteer experience
• Can adapt gracefully and calmly when plans change
• Enjoy face‑to‑face interaction with people of all ages
• Are dependable and thrive in a team‑based environment
• Are available to work evenings and weekends
• Are comfortable speaking in front of groups of up to 100 people
• Communicate clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing
• Are comfortable using technology or eager to learn new systems
• Are able to safely lift or carry items weighing up to 20 pounds frequently and up to 50 pounds occasionally

• Speak clearly and confidently about Second Harvest's mission, community impact, and internal policies to support volunteer safety
• Display a high level of self‑awareness, empathy, and interpersonal sensitivity to support volunteers through a wide range of situations
• Demonstrate an ability to calmly and effectively de‑escalate tense or emotionally charged situations, using active listening, empathy, and clear communication to guide volunteers toward positive outcomes
• Educate volunteers on the scope of our work while expressing genuine gratitude for their partnership
• Provide primary coverage at the volunteer front desk, supporting volunteer check‑ins with warmth, clarity, and enthusiasm
• Able to navigate sensitive issues balancing volunteer experience, organizational policies, and program needs, ensuring decisions uphold high standards while preserving strong volunteer relationships
• Respond to volunteer inquiries in a timely, friendly, and service‑oriented manner
• Collaborate across departments to support VIP and specialty volunteer activities

• Maintain accurate, up‑to‑date volunteer records with strong attention to detail to support a seamless volunteer experience
• Proactively review and monitor volunteer data to ensure compliance with organizational policies and requirements
• Support scheduling accuracy by maintaining volunteer shifts and ensuring public‑facing information reflects current needs and expectations
• Identify and address data gaps or inconsistencies that could impact volunteer communication, engagement, or experience
• Use volunteer management systems thoughtfully to uphold trust, clarity, and consistency throughout the volunteer lifecycle

• Assign sorting projects to appropriate volunteer groups
• Assign and train team leaders on project objectives and requirements
• Train volunteers on various projects including food sorting, relabeling, and repackaging

• Support volunteer retention by consistently delivering a positive,…