Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service
Baltimore, Maryland
Volunteer Coordinator
(Full-time, exempt)
Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS), founded in 1981, is the oldest and largest volunteer legal services organization in Maryland. MVLS removes barriers to justice through free civil legal help, community engagement, and advocacy for equitable laws. Our vision is for a fair legal system that is free of injustice and equitably serves underrepresented Marylanders. We achieve this goal primarily through our core pro bono program and more targeted programs that serve specialized legal needs. For more program information, visit our website:
MVLS’ core values are teamwork, passion for MVLS’ mission, commitment to clients, volunteers, and community partners, initiative and commitment to eliminate systemic barriers to justice based on race and economic disparities. MVLS is committed to fostering an inclusive culture in the workplace. Our work to end barriers to justice starts with increasing the diversity of our staff to better reflect the communities we serve.
The Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining an organization-wide strategy for the recruitment, engagement, and retention of a volunteer network of over 1,000 attorneys, tax professionals and special education advocates and consultants. This role ensures that Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS) continues to cultivate a diverse and engaged volunteer base to advance access to justice. The position requires collaboration across departments and with external partners to foster long-term volunteer relationships and strengthen MVLS’s presence in the legal, tax and special education communities.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive volunteer recruitment, engagement, and retention strategy that prioritizes a diverse volunteer pool, in alignment with MVLS’ strategic plan.
- Identify and attend recruitment opportunities, coordinating participation of MVLS staff, volunteers, and Board members at events such as bar association meetings, tax professional gatherings, law school fairs, and firm presentations.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for all new volunteers, ensuring timely onboarding, communication, and follow-up.
- Develop and maintain relationships with law firms, pro bono coordinators, bar associations, the judiciary and other stakeholders to promote MVLS’s mission and expand volunteer partnerships.
- Lead volunteer stewardship initiatives to enhance engagement and recognition, such as personalized outreach, award nominations, volunteer spotlights, and appreciation events.
- Collaborate with internal teams to align volunteer efforts with programmatic goals and support staff-driven volunteer activities.
- Utilize data from the case management system to track volunteer participation, case activity, and engagement trends; generate reports for grant compliance and internal evaluation.
- Establish and monitor volunteer metrics to measure the effectiveness of recruitment and engagement campaigns, using insights to inform continuous improvement.
- Lead volunteer recognition events, including MVLS’s annual Celebrate Pro Bono event.
- Partner with the Development team on donor stewardship efforts when overlap exists between donors and volunteers, and with any relevant grant related needs.
- Coordinate volunteer training opportunities with the Deputy Director and Pro Bono Director.
- Assist with outreach communications such as volunteer update emails, case opportunities, and pro bono hour tracking.
- Assist with relevant grant reporting and ensure integrity of volunteer campaign data in case management system
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Required Skills and Abilities
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to engage diverse audiences.
- Strong relationship-building and networking skills.
- Strategic and analytical thinker with a proactive, data-driven approach to problem-solving.
- Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Self-motivated, collaborative, and adaptable to changing needs.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and comfortable learning new systems.
- Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for volunteer events or outreach activities.
Education and Experience
- Minimum of 2 years of experience in volunteer coordination, community engagement, or related outreach roles preferred.
- Experience with project management or program development preferred.
- Past experience working with volunteers or volunteering is preferred
- Demonstrated experience working with or within diverse communities such as economically disadvantaged individuals, immigrants, incarcerated or formerly incarcerated individuals, LGBTQ+ communities, people with disabilities, or other historically marginalized populations.
- Experience in the legal or nonprofit sector is a plus, but not required.
Job Location –
Hybrid.This position currently requires being in the office 3 days per week. This job also requires frequent in person attendance at volunteer recruitment related events, which are primarily in central Maryland but can be throughout the state.