Food Programs Volunteer Specialist

About Lighthouse

Lighthouse MI is a growing non-profit, established in 2019 when Lighthouse of Oakland County and South Oakland Shelter joined forces to offer a stronger collective response to poverty in our Metro Detroit community. With over 80 years of combined experience, Lighthouse serves as a beacon of hope to our neighbors who need it most by offering assistance with emergency basic needs alongside housing programs and supportive services designed to support long-term economic stability. Lighthouse owns and operates Spero Housing Group, a subsidiary non-profit dedicated specifically to developing and operating high quality affordable and supportive housing for persons of low and moderate income, as well as HandUp, a community and crowdfunding platform serving 100+ homeless service agencies and their clients across the United States.

Position Summary

The Food Programs Volunteer Specialist oversees and supports volunteers across Lighthouse’s emergency food programs, including pantry services, food drives, and home delivery. This role provides daily direction to volunteers, ensures safe and efficient operations, and fosters a welcoming, well-supported volunteer environment. The Specialist plays a hands-on role in daily operations by checking in volunteers, assigning tasks, and serving as a key point of contact, while also supporting donation coordination, food drives, and volunteer engagement initiatives. Responsibilities may vary week to week in alignment with program needs.

Responsibilities & Duties

Volunteer, Donation Drives, and Community Engagement (50%)

• Collaborate closely with the Community Partnership Specialist

• Serve as the primary point of contact for incoming in-kind food donations, including coordinating intake, documentation, and receipts

• Identify and build relationships with potential partner grocers to increase in-kind food donations and serve as the primary contact

• Develop, implement, and host regular volunteer orientations, including creating volunteer training and marketing materials

• Coordinate volunteer schedules and maintain clear, consistent communication with volunteers

• Support volunteers, ensuring they are prepared for pantry operations and daily responsibilities

• Foster strong working relationships with stakeholders and partners who contribute through in-kind donations and volunteerism

• Collaborate with the Fund Development team to recruit volunteers and coordinate food drives and community donation events

• Maintain ongoing communication with the Fund Development team to share key volunteers, companies, and organizational partnerships

• Lead food drive events, such as Stamp Out Hunger, including weekend responsibilities as needed

• Work with court-appointed volunteers, host orientations, and verify hours accordingly

Pantry Operations and Site Visits (30%)

• Partner with off-site Lighthouse satellite pantries monthly to ensure needs are being met and volunteers feel supported

• Coordinate pantry services for clients, including answering phones, completing client intake in Link2Feed, and responding to resource navigation calls

• Maintain organization and cleanliness of pantry spaces

• Facilitate, weigh, and track incoming food donations

• Sort incoming food donations to ensure quality standards are met

• Ensure all food is handled in compliance with food safety regulations

• Monitor inventory of food products and assist the supervisor with food procurement tasks at off-site Lighthouse satellite pantries

Administrative, Compliance, and Professional Responsibilities (20%)

• Collaborate and support other Lighthouse emergency food services as necessary

• Participate in appropriate staff and team meetings

• Attend trainings and workshops to enhance professional development and represent Lighthouse at community events as needed

• Oversee volunteer onboarding and maintain data in the volunteer management platform, including posting and managing volunteer events

• Enforce program rules, policies, and procedures and uphold agency values to maintain a safe, client-centered, and inclusive environment for clients, staff, interns, and volunteers

• Carry out any additional tasks assigned by their supervisor

Minimum Qualifications

• Associates degree OR three total years of equivalent work experience

• 2-3 years of experience coordinating volunteers, including scheduling, training, and oversight

• Passion for alleviating food insecurity and poverty in the community

• Demonstrated ability to maintain strong professional and personal boundaries

• Demonstrated ability to uphold and enforce program policies and procedures

• Ability to work with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Apps, Link2Feed, and CRM software

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Strong conflict resolution skills

• Strong organization and time management skills

• Ability to motivate and manage diverse personalities

• Ability to work occasional evenings or weekends

• Reliable transportation and maintenance of automobile insurance

• Valid driver’s license, Lighthouse reserves the right to require a driving record check with respect to any employee where driving is an essential function of the position

• Current ServSafe Certification or willingness to obtain it within 3 months of hire

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, social services, human services, communications, or related field, OR four years of experience in any of those areas

• 3-4 years of experience coordinating and supervising volunteers, preferably in a nonprofit, food pantry, or community-based setting

• Lived or some professional experience working with people experiencing homelessness or extreme levels of poverty in the US

• Experience using Link2Feed

• Knowledge of the food landscape in Oakland County and surrounding areas

• Proven ability to work effectively with racially and ethnically diverse clients and teams

• Exhibits willingness to have difficult conversations

• Ability to listen and accept feedback constructively

• Possess high emotional intelligence skills

• Ability to work in a fast paced, demanding, constantly changing environment

Work Environment & Schedule:
This is a hybrid position with the expectation of primarily on-site work. Remote work is available up to one day per week, depending on operational needs.

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Physical Demands:

The incumbent typically works in an office environment and uses a computer, telephone and other office equipment as needed to perform duties. The noise level in the work environment is typical of that of an office. Incumbent may encounter frequent interruptions throughout the workday. The employee is regularly required to sit, talk, or hear; frequently required to use repetitive hand motion, handle or feel, and to stand, walk, reach, bend or lift up to 30 pounds. Contact with the public in office environments may risk exposure to irrational/hostile behavior, contagious diseases, or contact with domestic animals. The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Excellent benefit package including medical, dental, vision, life, matching 401(k), and more.

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all required duties, responsibilities, and skills. Lighthouse is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate against any qualified individual based on race, creed, religion, national origin, color, status as a veteran, gender or gender identity, sex, age, sexual preference or orientation, marital status, disability, income, weight, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume online via JobScore.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, until the position is filled.

No phone or e-mail inquiries, please.