Volunteer Program Manager
Community for Positive Aging (CfPA) | Portland, Oregon
Salary: 62,00-65,000 annually
Classification: Salaried, Exempt
Application Deadline: Wednesday, November 11, 2026
About Community for Positive Aging
Community for Positive Aging (CfPA) fosters a healthier, more inclusive, and connected Portland for adults 55 and older through educational and recreational programs, support services, and care. Founded in 1973 as the Hollywood Senior Center, we create welcoming, accessible spaces where older adults can build relationships, pursue interests, access resources, and remain connected to their communities.
Our work extends beyond the walls of our Center into the neighborhoods where older adults live, gather, and seek support. Volunteers and community partners are essential to this work, helping us extend our reach and create opportunities for connection and belonging.
The Opportunity
CfPA is seeking a collaborative, relationship-oriented leader to serve as our next Volunteer Program Manager. This position leads the development and ongoing effectiveness of our volunteer program while contributing to community outreach, communications, partnership development, and organizational visibility.
You will develop the strategies, systems, and relationships that help volunteers find meaningful ways to contribute, feel welcomed and supported, and remain engaged. Working across departments, you will identify opportunities for volunteer involvement, strengthen community partnerships, and help tell CfPA’s story through social media, outreach materials, community events, and storytelling.
This role combines strategic planning with hands-on implementation. We’re looking for someone who takes initiative, communicates effectively, exercises sound judgment, and enjoys bringing people together around a shared purpose.
Key Responsibilities
1. Volunteer Program Leadership and Development
Lead and strengthen CfPA’s volunteer program, ensuring it meets organizational needs and provides meaningful experiences for volunteers.
Develop and maintain volunteer policies, procedures, role descriptions, onboarding materials, training resources, and engagement practices.
Establish consistent processes for volunteer recruitment, screening, orientation, placement, communication, recognition, and retention.
Work with staff to identify volunteer needs and develop opportunities across programs, services, operations, events, and special initiatives.
Build an inclusive volunteer culture that values volunteers’ skills, interests, lived experiences, and contributions.
Identify barriers to participation and develop practical approaches to make volunteering accessible and engaging.
2. Volunteer Recruitment, Engagement, and Retention
Develop strategies to attract, engage, and retain volunteers who strengthen CfPA’s programs and community impact.
Recruit volunteers through community networks, businesses, schools, service organizations, and other outreach channels.
Coordinate onboarding, orientation, training, placement, and ongoing communication in collaboration with relevant staff.
Support staff in creating clear, appropriate volunteer roles and positive volunteer experiences.
Develop appreciation and recognition initiatives that demonstrate the value of volunteer contributions.
Respond to volunteer questions and concerns, address role-related challenges collaboratively, and identify opportunities to strengthen engagement and retention.
3. Community Outreach, Communications, and Organizational Visibility
Help more people discover CfPA’s mission, programs, volunteer opportunities, and community impact.
Develop engaging social media posts, outreach materials, newsletters, and stories that highlight programs, volunteers, partnerships, and organizational impact.
Help promote volunteer opportunities, programs, events, and ways to support CfPA.
Identify stories and opportunities that communicate the value of CfPA’s work while protecting the privacy and dignity of participants and volunteers.
Coordinate with staff responsible for broader organizational communications to maintain consistent messaging, branding, and public-facing information.
Represent CfPA at community events, outreach activities, presentations, and partner meetings.
4. Community Partnerships and Relationship Development
Cultivate relationships that expand CfPA’s reach and create new opportunities for community involvement.
Build and maintain relationships with community organizations, businesses, schools, service groups, and prospective volunteers.
Develop opportunities for group volunteering, corporate engagement, community projects, and collaborative initiatives.
Serve as a point of connection for people and organizations interested in supporting CfPA.
Identify partnership opportunities that align community interests and resources with organizational priorities.
Follow up on partnership conversations and work with colleagues to turn promising ideas into practical opportunities.
5. Cross-Departmental Collaboration and Event Support
Work across CfPA to ensure volunteer involvement is well coordinated, appropriately supported, and aligned with organizational needs.
Collaborate with program and operations staff to identify volunteer needs, clarify expectations, and support successful volunteer experiences.
Establish shared communication practices and processes that help staff work effectively with volunteers.
Coordinate volunteer recruitment, preparation, assignments, and recognition for organizational events and special initiatives.
Lead volunteer-related planning in collaboration with staff responsible for overall event management and delivery.
Participate in cross-departmental planning and problem-solving to strengthen coordination and improve practices.
6. Program Evaluation, Administration, and Accountability
Maintain the information, systems, and evaluation practices needed to support an effective and sustainable volunteer program.
Maintain accurate volunteer records, participation information, training documentation, and program records.
Track recruitment, placements, volunteer hours, retention, and engagement.
Gather feedback from volunteers and staff, assess program effectiveness, and recommend improvements.
Prepare program updates and reports to support organizational planning and leadership.
Communicate proactively with the Director of Finance and Operations and relevant staff about priorities, progress, emerging needs, and concerns.
Take initiative in identifying challenges, proposing solutions, and improving systems and practices.
Scope of Leadership and Collaboration
The Volunteer Program Manager is responsible for the overall framework, systems, and effectiveness of CfPA’s volunteer program, including recruitment strategies, consistent practices, community partnerships, volunteer engagement, and program evaluation.
Program and operations staff remain responsible for providing day-to-day, role-specific direction to volunteers in their respective areas. The Volunteer Program Manager works in partnership with these colleagues to ensure volunteer roles are clearly defined, appropriately supported, and aligned with organizational priorities.
The position also contributes to outreach, social media, communications, and community representation while coordinating with staff responsible for broader organizational messaging and event management.
Knowledge, Skills, and Qualifications
The successful candidate will bring a combination of relationship-building, organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
Relevant experience: Professional experience in volunteer management, nonprofit program administration, community engagement, outreach, communications, or a related field.
Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop clear, engaging content for diverse audiences.
Volunteer program development: Knowledge of or demonstrated ability to develop recruitment, onboarding, training, engagement, recognition, and retention practices.
Community engagement: Ability to build productive relationships with volunteers, colleagues, participants, and community partners.
Outreach and social media: Experience or demonstrated ability in social media content development, digital communications, storytelling, and public outreach.
Organization and project management: Ability to manage multiple priorities, coordinate projects, maintain accurate records, and follow through on commitments.
Leadership and judgment: Ability to work independently, take initiative, solve problems, and collaborate effectively across teams.
Evaluation and improvement: Ability to track outcomes, gather feedback, and use findings to improve programs and processes.
Cultural humility and inclusion: Commitment to respectful, accessible, and inclusive engagement with older adults, volunteers, colleagues, and community members.
Technology: Proficiency with common workplace technology, recordkeeping systems, digital communication platforms, and social media tools.
Experience working with older adults or in a community-based nonprofit setting is valued. Equivalent combinations of education, professional experience, and demonstrated skills may be considered.
Work Environment and Physical Requirements
This position operates in a community-based nonprofit environment and involves regular interaction with staff, volunteers, participants, and community partners. Work includes administrative responsibilities, collaborative planning, community outreach, and in-person activities.
Occasional evening or weekend work and local travel may be required. The position may involve moving or transporting event materials and supplies, with reasonable accommodation as needed.
Our Professional Community
At CfPA, every staff member contributes to the well-being of our organization and the older adults and communities we serve. Our work is interconnected, and we rely on one another to provide responsive, respectful, and coordinated support.
We value teamwork, respect, equity, accountability, cultural humility, flexibility, and a willingness to learn from different perspectives. Staff are expected to maintain appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality, uphold CfPA’s mission and policies, and contribute to an inclusive, supportive workplace.
Why Join CfPA?
At CfPA, relationships are at the heart of our work. We believe aging well requires more than access to services. It requires connection, meaningful participation, responsive support, and a community that looks out for one another.
You’ll join a collaborative team committed to helping older adults feel valued, supported, and connected. Your work will strengthen the relationships, partnerships, and systems that make our mission possible—both within our Center and throughout the neighborhoods we serve.
We value people who bring care and accountability to their work, take initiative, look for practical ways to improve how we operate, and recognize that their contributions can make a meaningful difference.
Compensation and Benefits
Compensation & Benefits: The annual salary range for this salaried, exempt position 62,000- 65,000, with employer-paid health insurance and generous paid time off. CfPA offers a benefits package designed to support employee well-being and work-life balance. Additional details will be shared during the hiring process.
How to Apply
Interested in helping build a stronger, more connected community for older adults?
Please submit your résumé and cover letter by Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
Apply here: hiring@communityfpa.org
Community for Positive Aging is committed to treating all people with dignity and respect. We prohibit discrimination based on protected status in accordance with applicable law and are committed to fostering an inclusive community and workplace.
