Coordinator, Volunteer Recruitment | Burnaby

OVERVIEW

Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS) is seeking an experienced Volunteer Coordinator to join our team in Burnaby! At Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS), we’re dedicated to changing lives, one dog at a time. We’re looking for a passionate and skilled individual to join us as Volunteer Coordinator, helping us fulfill our mission of providing assistance dogs to our waiting clients. 

ABOUT US

At PADS, we foster a constructive, cooperative, and welcoming team setting.  Our commitment is to cultivate an empowering environment for our team. We value a sustainable work-life balance and believe that work should be fun! We approach challenges with a growth mindset, striving for improvement and innovation. As a Volunteer Coordinator, you’ll embody PADS’ core values, including a commitment to compassion, transparency, and the ethical treatment of dogs.  

ABOUT THE POSITION

As a Volunteer Coordinator, you will play a key role in building and sustaining a strong, engaged volunteer community that makes our work possible. From recruitment to recognition, you’ll help ensure volunteers feel connected, supported, and inspired.

This is a dynamic, people-focused role that blends relationship-building, coordination, and systems management. We bring supporting structure to the heart of volunteer efforts.

This position is the first point of contact for many volunteer applicants and remains connected to volunteers throughout their journey with PADS.

Working closely with the Fundraising, Communications and Programs teams, this role ensures that staff, volunteers and prospective volunteers at PADS are supported now and as we grow our community.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Recruitment

• Lead end-to-end volunteer engagement: attraction, recruitment, onboarding, training, scheduling, and retention
• Plan and execute volunteer recruitment events in accordance with the overall strategy and workplan
• Host regular volunteer information sessions, in collaboration with PADS long-term volunteers
• Monitor and respond to volunteer comments and questions in West Coast-specific social media groups

Onboarding

• Build strong, positive relationships with a diverse volunteer base
• Deliver engaging orientations and training sessions that set volunteers up for success
• Review volunteer applications and assess suitability for various volunteer roles
• Conduct home site visits for applicants considering dog-handling roles
• Assist with puppy pick-ups by supporting new puppy raisers and/or preparing and distributing puppy kits
• Redeployment of volunteers who are returning after a break or who are looking for a new role within the organization

Coordination

• Collaborate with program teams to align volunteer roles with organizational needs
• Identify opportunities to enhance the volunteer experience and strengthen retention
• Work closely with the Fundraising team to develop role descriptions
• Act as a liaison between volunteers and the Fundraising team, ensuring volunteer presence at fundraising events and presentations
• With the Senior Manager, Volunteers, develop role descriptions for event-based volunteers
• Manage volunteer puppy sitting requests and make puppy and dog sitting arrangements as part of the Sitting Team
• Assist with matching puppy sitting requests to available volunteers for other regions as necessary
• Use Salesforce (CRM), SharePoint and MailChimp to track volunteer engagement, manage data and support reporting, as well as volunteer communications
• Liaise with other staff, including training staff, regarding performance management; elevate issues as needed

Stewardship

• Support a culture of appreciation and recognition for volunteers across the organization
• Recognize volunteer contributions by thanking volunteers verbally, via email and through other PADS’s initiatives such as Wag of the Week
• Organize and support logistics of volunteer Town Halls (in-person and online)

The duties and responsibilities listed in this job description are not a comprehensive list. It is reasonable for the employee to expect that additional tasks may be assigned from time to time. In addition, the scope of the duties and responsibilities listed here may change as necessitated by PADS changing needs.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• Proven experience in volunteer coordination, community engagement, or people-focused roles (at least 3 years)
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills—you connect easily and build trust quickly
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, onboard, and train volunteers or teams
• Highly organized, adaptable, and comfortable managing multiple priorities
• A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset
• A genuine passion for PADS’ mission and the impact of assistance dogs

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Post-secondary education including volunteer management, volunteer resource management, volunteer administration, or other related field
• Adult education and Facilitation certification and/ or experience
• Minimum of a class 5 BC drivers’ license
• Fluent in MS Office suite of applications
• Experience with Salesforce (or other CRMs) considered an asset

WORKING CONDITIONS & COMPENSATION

Physical Effort

Occasionally lifting of loads up to 50lbs and helping to set up/tear down at public events.

Physical Environment & Sensory Attention

• Frequent interactions and physical contact with dogs and puppies
• Use of computer monitors
• Interactions with the public

Location: Burnaby, BC
Employment Type: Full-time 
Work Arrangement: Based at our Burnaby Campus in a standard office setting, hybrid work a possibility.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 7.5 hours per day, with the requirement of working one evening per week, and occasional additional evenings and weekends. 

Compensation: $55,000 annually as a starting salary based on a 37.5-hour work week. A benefits package is available after the 3-month probation period.  

BE YOU. WITH US.  

We serve communities that are greater and stronger because of their diversity. What makes YOU different is worth both celebrating and cultivating.   

PADS is committed to equality across race, gender, age, religion, identity, ability, and experience. We invite you to bring your whole self to our team, helping us to change lives, one dog — and person — at a time.   

DOES THIS SOUND LIKE A GOOD FIT?

If you are a dedicated individual with a passion for helping others and a desire to grow your skills in a supportive environment, we encourage you to apply!  Submit your CV and cover letter by clicking the button below.  

Accommodation will be provided in all parts of the hiring process. Applicants are invited to make required accommodations known in advance.      

We thank all applicants for their interest and will contact only those applicants selected for further consideration. Please note that submissions will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and therefore early submission is encouraged. The position is available immediately.