Volunteer Program Specialist

Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, Inc.; Appleton (WI); On-site; USD 44,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with match

HSA contribution

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Volunteer Time Off

Life and AD&D insurance

Disability coverage

Parental leave

Employee assistance program

Professional development

Job summary

Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, Inc. in Appleton, WI is seeking a Volunteer Program Specialist. You’ll welcome volunteers, guide orientation, and help ensure engaging activities across a busy warehouse environment.

You will coordinate shifts, support setup, and collaborate with Operations, Development, Inventory, and Programs to fulfill our mission while promoting safety and excellent volunteer experiences.

Qualifications

• People-first mindset and a genuine commitment to helping Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin advance its mission to solve hunger.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build positive relationships with volunteers, coworkers, and people from diverse backgrounds.
• A positive, team-oriented attitude with a flexible, can-do approach to getting things done.
• Strong communication, organization, time management, and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to multitask, adapt to changing priorities, and thrive in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.
• A commitment to following safety procedures and maintaining a safe, organized workspace.
• Basic working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• The ability to obtain and maintain forklift certification within 90 days of hire.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends when needed; overtime may be available based on operational needs.
• A valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record when driving for organizational business.

Responsibilities

• Create a welcoming experience: Greet volunteers, support orientation, answer questions, and help everyone feel connected to our mission.
• Keep volunteer shifts running smoothly: Prepare work areas, organize supplies, coordinate activities, and support setup and cleanup.
• Roll up your sleeves: Work alongside volunteers to provide guidance, troubleshoot challenges, and keep activities productive and engaging.
• Put safety first: Promote safe work practices, proper food handling, product quality, and an organized work environment.
• Collaborate across teams: Coordinate volunteer activities with operational needs, product flow, staffing, and program priorities.
• Build lasting connections: Help recognize volunteers and encourage continued engagement with Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin.
• Stay flexible and solution-focused: Adjust to changing needs and support special projects, community events, and occasional evening or weekend shifts.

Skills

People-first mindset

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Organization

Time management

Problem-solving

Safety procedures

Microsoft Office

Forklift certification

Driver's license

Evenings/weekends flexibility

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Appleton, WI

Starting Pay: $21.55

Schedule: Full-time

EmploymentType: Full-time, non-exempt

People-Powered Purpose: Become Our Volunteer Program Specialist

Love working with people and being part of something bigger? We’re looking for you! Join Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin as our Volunteer Program Specialist

At Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, every volunteer shift is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the fight against hunger. We’re looking for an energetic, hands‑on, people‑focused team member who can turn that opportunity into an exceptional experience.

As our Volunteer Program Specialist, you’ll welcome and guide volunteers, keep activities running smoothly, and work side by side with individuals and groups helping provide food to our neighbors across Eastern Wisconsin. From creating a safe, organized, and engaging volunteer environment to rolling up your sleeves and jumping in wherever needed, you’ll play an important role in connecting our community’s generosity with our mission to solve hunger.

What You Can Expect

• Purpose in your work: See firsthand how volunteer efforts help provide food to our neighbors across Eastern Wisconsin.
• A people-centered environment: Spend your days connecting with volunteers, community groups, and coworkers who care about making a difference.
• Hands‑on teamwork: Work alongside volunteers and colleagues in an active, fast‑paced warehouse environment where every day brings something different.
• Variety and problem‑solving: Adapt to changing priorities, find solutions, and help keep volunteer activities running smoothly.
• A collaborative team: Partner across Operations, Development, Inventory, and Programs to bring our mission to life.

Benefits

Full‑time employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Safe Harbor 401(k) match of 100% on the first 4% contributed, with immediate vesting
• Employer HSA contribution for eligible employees
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Personal Day and Floating Holiday
• Volunteer Time Off
• Employer‑paid basic life and AD&D insurance
• Short‑term and long‑term disability coverage
• Paid parental leave
• Employee assistance program
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Mission‑driven work supporting communities across eastern Wisconsin

What You Will Do

• Create a welcoming experience: Greet volunteers, support orientation, answer questions, and help everyone feel connected to our mission.
• Keep volunteer shifts running smoothly: Prepare work areas, organize supplies, coordinate activities, and support setup and cleanup.
• Roll up your sleeves: Work alongside volunteers to provide guidance, troubleshoot challenges, and keep activities productive and engaging.
• Put safety first: Promote safe work practices, proper food handling, product quality, and an organized work environment.
• Collaborate across teams: Coordinate volunteer activities with operational needs, product flow, staffing, and program priorities.
• Build lasting connections: Help recognize volunteers and encourage continued engagement with Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin.
• Stay flexible and solution‑focused: Adjust to changing needs and support special projects, community events, and occasional evening or weekend shifts.

What You Bring (Required Qualifications)

• A people‑first mindset and a genuine commitment to helping Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin advance its mission to solve hunger.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build positive relationships with volunteers, coworkers, and people from diverse backgrounds.
• A positive, team‑oriented attitude with a flexible, can‑do approach to getting things done.
• Strong communication, organization, time management, and problem‑solving skills.
• The ability to multitask, adapt to changing priorities, and thrive in a fast‑paced, hands‑on environment.
• A commitment to following safety procedures and maintaining a safe, organized workspace.
• Basic working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• The ability to obtain and maintain forklift certification within 90 days of hire.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends when needed; overtime may be available based on operational needs.
• A valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record when driving for organizational business.

Preferred Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least two years of experience in a customer service‑related role.
• Previous volunteer service experience or experience working with community groups.
• Experience helping coordinate activities, guide groups, or support day‑to‑day operations.

Physical and Working Conditions

This is an active, hands‑on role in a warehouse environment where you’ll spend much of your day on your feet, moving throughout the facility, and working directly alongside volunteers and coworkers. You can expect to:

• Stand and walk for extended periods throughout your shift.
• Occasionally lift, reach, bend, and move items as needed to support volunteer activities.
• Work in a warehouse environment with varying temperatures and environmental conditions.
• Wear closed‑toe shoes and follow all applicable safety, food‑handling, and equipment procedures.
• Operate forklifts and other powered industrial equipment as needed, following required training and certification.
• Occasionally work evenings, weekends, or special events based on operational needs.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

The mental and physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

About Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin

Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin is the leading local hunger‑relief organization in the state, with locations in Appleton and Milwaukee.

Founded in 1982, we are a local and independent member of the Feeding America network. Together with our community partners, donors, volunteers, and supporters, we serve nearly half a million people experiencing food insecurity across 35 counties in eastern Wisconsin each year.

Our receiving and warehouse teams play an important role in this work. By ensuring incoming food is safely received, accurately recorded, inspected, and stored, they help create the foundation for getting food efficiently to community partners and neighbors throughout eastern Wisconsin.

Employment with Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and other pre‑employment requirements applicable to the position.

Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. FAEW prohibits discrimination against any applicant or employee on the basis of age, race, color, creed, religion, disability, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, arrest or conviction record, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.