Should I be a volunteer coordinator?

You see a job posting for “volunteer coordinator.” Is it volunteering — or a professional role supporting volunteers?

If you like:

• Building strong community relationships

• Fostering teamwork and cooperation

• Working with people and wanting to make a difference in the world

...being a volunteer coordinator might be the perfect fit for you!

A volunteer coordinator is a paid professional who:

• Recruits and schedules volunteers for all types of roles to fill various shifts

• Supports volunteers to learn new skills and problem-solve

• Manages volunteer records and communications (newsletters)

• Rewards volunteers by coordinating recognition events

• Coordinates onboarding, training, and compliance, and

• Acts as a bridge between volunteers and the organization.

Key idea: You're managing volunteer programs, not volunteering yourself.

Be sure to check out the video below to see what a day in the life of a volunteer coordinator looks like.

Key takeaways from the video:

• Interviews with potential volunteers

• Collecting donations (for the clients who access the organization)

• Working on the organization's newsletter, including updating social media

• Replying to emails and setting up more interviews

• Scheduling and creating documents: if you enjoy structure, coordination, and follow-through, this role may suit you.

Photo by Daria Nepriakhina 🇺🇦 on Unsplash

• Working with people and solving problems: volunteer coordinators are the "go to" person.

Because this is a paid role, you're accountable to managers in the following areas:

• Shuffling → Built Into the Team

  Volunteers aren’t random extra hands. They’re part of the plan and help teams actually get things done.

• Performance and Conduct → No Manager Headaches

  Managers don’t need volunteer drama. The volunteer coordinator handles performance and issues.

• Communication and Partnership → One Go-To Person

  Managers have one go-to person who makes sure volunteers work with the team — not off doing their own thing.

• Results and Value → Real Impact, Not Just Good Vibes

  Volunteering isn’t just about being nice. When it’s done well, it delivers real results that support team goals.

Where do volunteer coordinators work?

Food Banks

• Recruiting volunteers who like giving back to those less fortunate

• Scheduling shifts for volunteers

Photo by Joel Muniz on Unsplash

Hospitals

• Recruiting volunteers who are interested in a medical career

• Working with all kinds of professionals like doctors and nurses

Photo by Graham Ruttan on Unsplash

Schools

• Working with tutors and people who want to be teachers

• Organizing fun games and activities for those young learners

Photo by Hermes Rivera on Unsplash

Events

• Working with lots of different people to organize an event

• Seeing lots of initial chaos become organized in the end

Photo by Rob Wingate on Unsplash

Key takeaways from the video:

• A degree in business management, human resources, or social services is helpful

• Strong organizational skills and good communication skills are important

• Problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and administrative experience are all a plus

• You'll need to be sensitive to others and their culture

• Being a bit of a techy will be helpful for tracking hours and managing schedules

• You'll be doing data tracking and reporting

• You'll learn more about non-profit organizations

Photo by Carlos Muza on Unsplash

This role might be a good fit if…

• You like working with people and having a plan

• You’re naturally organized (or love making things organized)

• You’re comfortable setting expectations and having real conversations

• You enjoy being the “go-between” who keeps everyone aligned

• You care about impact, not just good intentions

You’ll probably enjoy this role if you…

• Like owning a process from start to finish

• Stay calm when things don’t go as planned

• Prefer solving problems over avoiding them

• Want a role where your work actually makes things run better

This role may not be for you if…

• You avoid conflict or tough conversations

• You prefer working solo with minimal interaction

• You get frustrated by rules, structure, or accountability

Quick gut check 👀

If you read this and thought, “Yeah… that’s me,” then a volunteer coordinator role is worth exploring.

In Canada, volunteer coordinators can earn $42,000 - $56,000. The average salary is $47,904 per year.

In the United States, volunteer coordinators can earn $43,500 to $54,400 per year.

Here’s how to further explore a volunteer coordinator role: