Volunteer Coordinator (Program Assistant) - Sheriff's Office

Clark County Washington; Washington (Washington County); On-site; USD 39,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Clark County Sheriff's Office in Washington is seeking a Volunteer Coordinator to lead the volunteer program, overseeing the Sheriff Auxiliary Unit and a team of 30+ volunteers. This position administers recruitment, onboarding, training, scheduling, performance reviews, and retention to support agency operations and community service.

Reporting to the Sheriff’s Office, the coordinator plans and administers tasks, coordinates with partners, maintains records, and ensures compliance with civil

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or three to five years of experience related to volunteer coordination.
• Strong organizational, leadership, and interpersonal skills with volunteers and community.
• Experience coordinating or managing volunteer programs, ideally with 20+ volunteers.
• Experience in public safety/government environment; recruitment, onboarding and training.

Responsibilities

• Oversee volunteer and intern assignments.
• Supports agency events and special programs.
• Serves as the liaison between volunteers, Sheriff’s Office personnel, and community partners.
• Plan and conduct the annual Auxiliary Academy.
• Expand volunteer training opportunities.
• Strengthen volunteer engagement and program growth.
• Coordinate processes related to public service functions and prepare program recommendations.

Skills

Volunteer coordination

Leadership

Communication

Public service

Organizational skills

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Job Summary

Job Summary This recruitment is only open to Sheriff’s Office Support Guild members. In the event that an insufficient number of applications are received, this position may be reposted to an external recruitment. The Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for the leadership, administration, and continued development of the Clark County Sheriff’s Office volunteer programs, with primary oversight of the Sheriff Auxiliary Unit. This position supervises and supports a team of more than 30 volunteers, managing all aspects of recruitment, selection, onboarding, training, scheduling, performance management, and retention to ensure volunteers are prepared to support agency operations and community service initiatives effectively. Plans, coordinates and administers the unit. Responsibilities include project/task planning, design, recommendation, implementation and day-to-day administration of program responsibilities. This Sheriff’s Office position is governed by State Civil Service laws, which requires specific recruitment and testing procedures. This recruitment will be used to create one-year eligibility list to fill the current position within the Sheriff’s Office. Please see the Civil Service Process website for additional insight into Sheriff’s Office qualifications. (https://www.clark.wa.gov/human-resources/civil-service-process)

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, public administration, organizational leadership, criminal justice, communications, or a related field OR three to five years of experience related to volunteer coordination.
• The position requires strong organizational, leadership, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities while fostering positive relationships with volunteers, employees, and the community.
• Experience coordinating or managing volunteer programs, ideally with 20+ volunteers.
• Prior experience working in a public safety, law-enforcement, or governmental environment.
• Demonstrated skills in recruitment, onboarding, training, and performance management.
• Experience supervising or leading teams (volunteer or paid).
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage diverse community members.
• Experience developing training materials, procedures, or program documentation.
• Knowledge of best practices in volunteer management and retention strategies.
• Strong organizational, scheduling, and project- coordination abilities.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain confidentiality.
• Proficiency with databases or software used for volunteer tracking, scheduling, or HR processes.
• Conflict resolution, de-escalation, or mediation training.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and community engagement.
• Knowledge of: applicable computer applications/technology, principles and practices of public sector organization and some specifics relating to program operations; planning, scheduling, monitoring and problem solving; research techniques and data analysis; budget tracking, justification and control; application of County state and federal laws and regulation relevant to the program/project area; departmental policies and procedures, trends and practices within the specialized area.
• Ability to: effectively coordinate, work to others; carry out policy directives of management in an effective and timely manner; establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, other governmental jurisdictions, contractors, and other County staff; communicate and express ideas effectively, orally and in writing.

Selection Process

Application Review: Incomplete applications will not pass the review; attaching a resume or referring to a resume does not substitute for a completed application. Candidates will be evaluated based on the content of their applications and those deemed most qualified will be invited to participate in the remainder of the selection process.

Skills Testing: (Pass/Fail based on 65%) - A combination of computer skills testing and a general knowledge exam may be required. Minimum passing score of 65% is required. Candidates deemed most qualified will be invited to participate in the remainder of the selection process.

Oral Board Interview: (Weighted 100%) - Questions will be job related and may include, but not be limited to, the qualifications outlined in the job announcement. Minimum passing score of 70% is required. The oral board will consist of a three-member interview panel who will ask the same position-related, pre-established written questions of all candidates. Panelist evaluations are averaged to determine candidate interview scores.

Eligibility List: All candidates who successfully pass the oral board interview will be placed onto the Clark County Civil Service eligibility list. The Civil Service Commission will review and certify the list to be in effect for one year from the date of list certification.

Selection Interview aka Rule of Five: The top five candidates from the eligibility list will be invited to participate in the Sheriff’s selection interview.

Duties

• Oversee volunteer and intern assignments.
• Supports agency events and special programs.
• Serves as the primary liaison between volunteers, Sheriff’s Office personnel, and community partners.
• Responsible for planning and conducting the annual Auxiliary Academy.
• Expands volunteer training opportunities.
• Implement strategies to strengthen volunteer engagement and program growth.
• Provides administrative and operational support by coordinating processes related to abandoned vehicles, junk vehicle inspections, disabled parking violations, and other assigned public service functions.
• Prepares recommendations regarding direction of program.
• Plans, organizes and administers specific program(s), services and activities as assigned program; develops and implements new elements to assigned program.
• Makes recommendations in defining program goals and objectives; recommends methods and means of accomplishing objectives; works within established policies and procedures.
• Researches and analyzes data relating to assigned program, recommends modification of procedures.
• Works within established budgets and contracts with outside agencies and other governmental agencies; works within program guidelines and requirements.
• Prepares reports on program performance, needs, services information and contributes to the evaluation of program performance.
• Coordinates activities with those of other related programs, departments or agencies; works through controversial issues, relying on manager’s assistance to resolve significant issues.
• Delegates to or coordinates support staff connected to the program; provides information and possible recommendations to manager if work performance problems arise.
• May assist manager with coordinating and assigning work activities and small projects; monitors workflow; reviews and monitors work products, methods and procedures.

Salary

Salary Grade Sheriff Support.7 Salary Range $27.84 - $37.60- per hour

Employee Benefits and additional compensation

Clark County provides regular full-time and part-time employees with a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, vision and dental insurance, paid leave, flexible spending accounts, life insurance and long-term disability, retirement, and deferred compensation. Some types of employees in some positions and bargaining units might have different benefits and additional compensation. More specific benefit information for the different bargaining units can be found at https://clark.wa.gov/human-resources/employee-benefits. Also please refer to the specific bargaining unit contract for additional compensation at https://clark.wa.gov/human-resources/documents.

Retirement Information

All Clark County employees must participate in a WASHINGTON STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM PLAN (PERS, PSERS or LEOFF). Employee contributions begin the first day of work. Current contribution rates vary by plan but could range from 5% to 15% of gross pay, depending on the plan choice. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site here: http://www.drs.wa.gov/

ADA/Section 504 Assistance

If you are in need of ADA/Section 504 assistance for accommodations, please contact Human Resources at [phone]; Relay [phone].

About Clark County

With its great natural beauty, Clark County, Washington, always has attracted people and businesses. We welcome those who visit and settle here, providing fresh perspectives, growing diversity and vibrant energy. Our forward-looking community is framed by the scenic Cascade Range to the east and the majestic Columbia River to the south and west. The area is a picturesque place to work, play, and live. Named for Captain William Clark of Lewis and Clark Expedition fame, our county is one of the fastest growing regions in Washington state and the Portland, Oregon, metropolitan area. Today, more than 467,000 people call Clark County home. Clark County government works to enhance the quality of life for all of our diverse community by providing services with integrity, openness and accountability. We are one of the county's largest employers, providing a wide range of rewarding careers for about 1,570 people.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Clark County is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal opportunity in employment, access, and delivery of all county services. Clark County's Equal Employment Opportunity Plan is available at http://www.clark.wa.gov/human-resources/documents.

Additional Application Information

Some recruitments may require the following: Assessment, Cover Letter, Practical Exam, Evidence of a valid driver’s license, Criminal Background Check or other requirements. Oral Interviews are conducted with a panel of interviewers. If you are selected for an interview you will be contacted by the hiring department. Employment References may be conducted for the final candidates, including verification of education. You can get more information about job descriptions, pay schedule and employee benefits on the Clark County Human Resources website at www.clark.wa.gov/human-resources.