POSITION:  Program Assistant – Volunteer Coordinator

DEPARTMENT:  Purdue Cooperative Extension Services

WORK SCHEDULE: 8:00am-4:30pm; evenings and weekends as needed

JOB CATEGORY: PAT (Professional, Administrative, Technological)

SALARY: $40,356/year

STATUS:  Full-time

FLSA STATUS:  Non-exempt

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required. St. Joseph County provides reasonable accommodations to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job unless those accommodations would present an undue hardship.

 Incumbent serves as Program Assistant – Volunteer Coordinator for the St. Joseph County Purdue Extension Office, responsible for a variety of administrative duties related to Purdue Extension. Program areas served are: Health and Human Sciences, Agriculture and Natural Resources, and 4-H Youth Development. 

Benefits

 Affordable Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans

Paid Time Off (PTO) with generous accruals

Employer Paid Life Insurance coverage

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability (STD/LTD)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for healthcare and dependent care

Gym Membership Discounts to encourage wellness

Employer-Funded PERF (Public Employees' Retirement Fund)

Access to additional voluntary benefits and resources

Responsibilities

Identify volunteer needs in collaboration with 4-H, ANR, and HHS program educators and recruit new volunteers through outreach to schools, businesses, and community organizations.

Guide new volunteers through the onboarding process, including application forms, background checks, and compliance requirements.

Coordinate and schedule training sessions (in-person or virtual) for role-specific responsibilities with program educators.

Maintain a volunteer database, ensuring data accuracy, confidentiality, and tracking of active and prospective volunteers.

Schedule volunteers for program meetings, events, and activities across the three program areas.

Communicate regularly with volunteers via newsletters, emails, and other platforms to share updates and opportunities.

Develop a volunteer recognition program, including events and awards to celebrate volunteer contributions.

Track volunteer hours and participation, generating reports on engagement and ensuring compliance with Purdue Extension policies.

Qualifications

Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks effectively. 

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a customer service-oriented approach. 

Attention to detail and discretion when handling confidential information.   

Education/Experience

High School Diploma or GED required

Physical Requirements

Ability to perform duties in a standard office environment, involving sitting/walking at will, sitting for long periods, lifting/carrying objects weighing up to 50 pounds, bending, reaching, keyboarding, speaking clearly, close vision, handling/grasping objects, and hearing sounds/communication.