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JOB DETAILS

Volunteer Coordinator

CompanyWayside Waifs Inc
LocationGrandview
Work ModeOn Site
PostedAugust 26, 2026
About The Company
Founded in 1944, Wayside Waifs is a private, 501c3 animal welfare organization in Kansas City, Missouri. Wayside more than 30,000 pets and people annually through their mission of preparing pets and people for the bond of their lives. As Kansas City's largest, most comprehensive no kill animal welfare organization, Wayside's Circle of Care includes: pet adoption, an Animal Rescue & Response Team, foster care, veterinary care, public dog training, a specialized Canine Behavior Center for shy/fearful/high-arousal shelter dogs, 5-acre off-leash dog park, onsite pet retail, humane education, community outreach/support for owned pets, a pet food pantry, and pet memorial services. Wayside's mission is only made possible through the dedicated and compassionate support of 100 staff members,1,300 volunteers, and donors. Wayside believes in the importance of preventing abuse, neglect, and pet homelessness. Wayside's signature social-emotional learning curriculum, No More Bullying!, is taught locally in Kansas City and across the country in 26 states. This violence prevention program teaches compassion, empathy, respect, being responsible, and being humane. Wayside receives no government funding and relies 100% on public, corporate, and private donations. HOW YOU CAN HELP Adopt - Meet our animals in need of loving homes: waysidewaifs.org/adopt Volunteer - Donate your time to save lives: waysidewaifs.org/volunteer Foster - Open your home to an animal in who isn't quite ready for adoption: waysidewaifs.org/foster Donate - Help an animal in need today: waysidewaifs.org.org/donate Connect - Learn more about how you can save lives: waysidewaifs.org and facebook.com/waysidewaifs.org Attend - Paw-ty with animal-lovers while raising life-saving funds for homeless pets: waysidewaifs.org/events Visit our website - WaysideWaifs.org - to meet our adoptable pets, sign up to be a volunteer, donate, and to learn more about our life-saving programs and the Circle of Care.
About the Role

Description

Schedule: Wednesday-Sunday 8:30am-5:00pm; evenings as needed


Hourly rate: $20.15+ per hour depending on experience

Spanish-speaking differential: Additional $1.00 per hour for employees who demonstrate and maintain Spanish language proficiency and are willing to use this skill for Wayside Waifs' business purposes. 


POSITION SUMMARY

The Volunteer Coordinator supports the daily operations of the volunteer program and works closely with the Volunteer Services Manager to recruit, onboard, train, mentor, and retain volunteers (excluding foster and corporate volunteers). This role plays a key part in ensuring the smooth functioning of the program and supporting the organization’s evolving needs. The Volunteer Coordinator assists with the development and implementation of volunteer programs, provides resources and guidance to staff working with volunteers, and fosters a positive, inclusive, and engaging experience for volunteers. This position helps ensure clear communication, ongoing support, and recognition for volunteers while also fulfilling necessary administrative duties. By collaborating across departments, the Volunteer Coordinator helps adapt the volunteer program to align with the organization’s goals and priorities.


PRIMARY ACCOUNTABILITIES

  1. Facilitate the recruitment and enrollment of all new volunteers.
  2. Serve as a primary resource and liaison for all volunteers.
  3. Create and/or update volunteer training materials as needed. Serve as an instructor and recruit, train, and schedule other volunteer instructors for various training courses, including DOG101 and CAT101. 
  4. Assist with volunteer engagement and retention initiatives. 
  5. Develop and distribute the weekly volunteer email and other communications as assigned.  
  6. Support meaningful volunteer recognition and appreciation efforts.
  7. Ensure volunteer information, including completed training, is current and accurate in all software programs. 
  8. Maintain and communicate the training calendar in an accurate and efficient manner.
  9. Ensure adherence to safety, operational, and organizational standards.
  10. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all co-workers and volunteers.

PRIMARY TASKS & DUTIES

  • Carry out day-to-day administrative functions and provide ongoing operational support to Volunteer Services. 
  • Process phone and email requests for information about the volunteer program.
  • Manage a high volume of volunteer communications, ensuring timely and effective responses.
  • Maintain a calendar of events and provide internal and external communication updates as required. 
  • Schedule classes and prepare materials for volunteer training and programming.
  • Enter information into and edit software databases accurately and efficiently. 
  • Facilitate the volunteer recruiting and application process.
  • Teach training classes as required.
  • Regularly communicate with the supervisor, discussing any challenges, ideas, or suggestions.
  • Serve in a Manager on Duty rotation twice a month. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/ KEY COMPETENCIES

  • Ability to speak in front of large groups with ease.
  • Strong attention to detail and task orientation.
  • Ability to develop and demonstrate safe, confident animal-handling skills and sound judgement when working with a variety of cats and dogs.
  • Must be highly organized with strong administrative and customer service capabilities. 
  • Strong initiative and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to work under pressure.

Requirements

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Education & Experience

  • Demonstrated experience working effectively with people in a customer service, volunteer, educational, or other people-facing environment.
  • High school diploma or GED equivalent. Proficient computer skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Office 
  • College degree preferred. 
  • Ability to quickly learn and work across a variety of software platforms and systems.


Working Environment

  • Position requires use of a computer and keyboard, telephone, copy machine, and media equipment. 
  • Employee may be exposed to fumes or airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to high. The employee will frequently work with and be exposed to a variety of animals.
Key Skills
Volunteer CoordinationRecruitmentTrainingPublic SpeakingAdministrative SupportCustomer ServiceData EntryAnimal HandlingCommunicationProblem-solvingMicrosoft OfficeSchedulingMentoringDatabase ManagementEvent Planning
Categories
Social ServicesAdministrativeCustomer Service & SupportEducation
Job Information
📋Core Responsibilities
The Volunteer Coordinator manages the daily operations of the volunteer program, including recruiting, training, and mentoring volunteers. They also handle administrative tasks, maintain volunteer databases, and facilitate engagement and recognition initiatives.
📋Job Type
full time
📊Experience Level
0-2
💼Company Size
122
📊Visa Sponsorship
No
💼Language
English
🏢Working Hours
40 hours
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