Let’s have an honest conversation about this Administrative Volunteer requisition at City Harvest. You are performing the exact duties of a part-time coordinator, but it is unpaid. If you have the financial bandwidth to work for free in Manhattan during standard business hours, this administrative role is a highly calculated resume play. You are trading your time to get a foot in the door at one of New York’s most respected non-profits and to secure verifiable, hands-on experience with enterprise CRM platforms.
Operational Context & The Real Trade-Off
While the truck fleet is out on the road, the internal operations need constant maintenance. As an Administrative Volunteer, you aren’t just filing papers; you are managing donor data and fleet schedules. The arrangement is straightforward: your free labor lowers their overhead so more funds go toward food rescue, and in return, you extract premium networking access and a strong brand name for your resume.
Core Administrative Responsibilities
- Database Management: Audit and input donor information, volunteer hours, and community outreach metrics within the Salesforce CRM. (Elena’s Note: Free training in a live Salesforce enterprise environment is the biggest tangible perk of this role. Document every dashboard and process you learn here for your future job hunts.)
- Logistical Coordination: Assist Volunteer Operations with scheduling and dispatching reminders for corporate volunteer events.
- Frontline Communication: Serve as the first point of contact for incoming inquiries via phone and email. (Elena’s Note: You will be the shield for the paid staff. Expect to handle confused donors, demanding corporate partners, and last-minute cancellations with complete professionalism.)
- Event Preparation: Assemble physical outreach kits, mobile market materials, and fundraising mailers.
- Operational Support: Provide clerical support to department directors, streamlining workflows and digital filing systems.
Required Skills & Availability Constraints
- Time Commitment: Consistent availability for 8 to 12 hours per week during standard business hours (Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM). (Elena’s Note: This schedule completely rules out anyone working a standard 9-to-5. This role is strictly built for students, retirees, or professionals actively between jobs.)
- Systems Literacy: Strong working proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 and Google Workspace. Prior experience with Salesforce is valued but not strictly required.
- Professional Communication: Clear written and verbal communication skills to interact with corporate donors.
- Operational Autonomy: Proven ability to take direction, learn administrative protocols, and execute tasks accurately.
Volunteer Perks & Career Reality
This is an unpaid position. The ROI here relies entirely on your ability to leverage the brand and the connections you make.
- Compensation: $0 / Hour (Unpaid Volunteer Role).
- Non-Profit Experience: Gain hands-on CRM and administrative experience within a major food rescue organization.
- Career Growth: Priority consideration for future paid administrative roles, plus letters of recommendation after 6 months. (Elena’s Note: “Priority consideration” is not a guarantee of employment. Treat this strictly as a networking opportunity, not a waiting room for a paycheck.)
- Operational Benefits: MTA MetroCard transit reimbursement for scheduled volunteer days, on-site snacks, and invitations to City Harvest networking events.
Location & Onboarding Logistics
- Work Location Policy
- This is a Volunteer position. Location: New York, NY. Remote status: No. (Elena’s Note: You must be physically in Midtown Manhattan to handle event kits and cover the front desk. Commuting in NYC takes time; factor that transit block into your 8-12 hour weekly commitment.)
- Relocation Assistance
- Relocation assistance is not applicable. Candidates must currently reside in or commute easily to the NYC area.
