Social Services Coordinator

POSITION TITLE: Social Service Coordinator

DEPARTMENT: Social Services and Hope Market

STATUS: NON-EXEMPT/ Regular Full-Time

COMPENSATION: $ PER HOUR

Join a team where you can offer compassion, dignity, and sustainable opportunities for people in need in your local community!

The Salvation Army is an inspiring place to work. With offices in every major US city and over 120 countries around the globe, it’s a place where people can invest in people on every level. In the Northwest region of the US, we serve people with food to shelter opportunities and almost everything in between. We are committed to being an efficient and effective network of local offices that make up a huge western region team. In other words, we’re committed to being big and small at the same time. That makes us a seriously great place to work. As one of the most impactful social service organizations in the world, we hire people who constantly seek new ways to keep us moving forward. We welcome you on finding your place to offer opportunities for people in need!

GENERAL STATEMENT:

The Salvation Army is a branch of the Christian Church, and the ultimate goal of all programs is spiritual regeneration of all people.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE:

• College degree in related fields preferred; high school diploma or GED required
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in social services, preferrable in both direct assistance as well as supervisory capacity of staff and/or volunteers.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Demonstrate a positive, respectful, and compassionate approach in supporting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of individuals from diverse backgrounds and circumstances.
  • Strong collaboration mindset with solid knowledge of local community resources and the ability to develop effective partnerships and referrals.
  • Proven leadership in supervising staff and volunteers, managing daily program operations, and ensuring compliance with grants, budgets, and policies.
  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to adapt messaging for diverse audiences, including individuals with limited English proficiency.
  • Skilled in crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and assisting individuals and families in emergency situations.
  • Experience in food pantry or community food distribution programs.
  • Strong analytical, organizational, and time management abilities; able to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
  • Committed to confidentiality, professionalism, clear boundaries, and The Salvation Army’s mission and philosophy.
  • Proficient in data reporting, financial management, and use of Salvation Army social service systems.
  • Valid Washington State driver’s license with clean record, ability to pass a criminal background check, and completion of Fleet Safety e-learning module required.

SOFTWARE-RELATED SKILLS:

• Computer literate; proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and able to learn Salvation Army and community systems such as Unite Us, HMIS, and Wellsky.
• Working knowledge of integrated database applications and ability to use new software programs with basic training.

SCOPE OF POSITION:

The Social Service Coordinator oversees Salvation Army programs, ensuring meaningful support for individuals and families. This role leads volunteers and interns, coordinates seasonal programs and fundraising, and manages grocery rescue operations. Serving as the first point of contact, the coordinator provides compassionate assistance, connects clients with appropriate services, and maintains accurate records and reports. The position also partners with Salvation Army units, community organizations, and Corps Officers to promote resiliency, guide program development, and provide pastoral care and spiritual support to guests.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversee all Social Service programs—including Hope Market, Hope Garden, Utility Assistance, Rental Assistance, Clothing and Household donations, and other outreach efforts—ensuring meaningful impact for individuals and families in need.
• Lead and coordinate volunteers and interns, including recruitment, training, scheduling, coaching, supervision, evaluation, and reporting, to ensure effective service delivery and a positive experience.
• Manage the Hope Market to address guests’ diverse needs, develop strategies to discover and respond to those needs, secure appropriate community donations, and ensure all donations are organized and maintained according to food safety guidelines.
• Coordinate guest care and promote resiliency by partnering with Salvation Army units, community organizations, and relevant network groups to provide coordinated support.
• Act as the first point of contact for callers and visitors, providing courteous professional assistance that discovers needs and connects with appropriate internal services or community partners.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date client records, both hardcopy and digital, and track statistical data in accordance with audit and divisional requirements.
• Maintain accurate records of funds and donations received and disbursed ensuring transparency, audit requirements, and monitoring the financial status of Social Service programs.
• Oversee grocery rescue operations, collaborating with stores and community organizations to sustain and grow locations, nurture relationships, and coordinate staff and volunteers for efficient, food-safe pickups.
• Generate and share program reports and data as needed to support funding requirements, collaborative partners, divisional administration, and the Advisory Board.
• In coordination with the Corps Officers and staff, plan and execute seasonal programs, including food and gift collection, distribution, and program evaluation, while supporting staff and volunteer well-being. Assist with seasonal fundraising efforts such as product drives, kettle pickups, bell ringing, promotion, and event support.
• Lead efforts to maintain and increase funding and resources through community outreach, grant management, partnership development, and strategic program enhancement.
• Monitor community trends and resources to guide the strategic management of programs and partnerships, adapting existing services or launching new initiatives as required.
• Ensure information is accurate and responsive to client needs, and guide staff, volunteers, and interns in providing fair, compassionate service that reflects The Salvation Army’s mission and love of God.
• Be available for prayer, counseling, and spiritual support.
• In coordination with the Corps Officers develop a pastoral care plan to meet the emotional and spiritual needs of guests.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to sit, walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or continuous basis
• Ability to grasp, push, pull objects such as files, file cabinet drawers, and reach overhead
• Ability to operate telephone
• Ability to operate a desktop or laptop computer
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to access and produce information from a computer
• Ability to understand written information

Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation. A qualified person with a disability may request a modification or adjustment to the job or work environment in order meet the physical requirements of the position. The Salvation Army will attempt to satisfy requests as long as the accommodation needed is reasonable and no undue hardship would result.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed in a normal office environment where there are little or no physical discomforts associated with changes in weather or discomfort associated with noise, dust, dirt, and similar.

The Salvation Army reserves the right to reassign, review the job or to require that different or additional tasks be performed based on the organization’s need or when circumstances change.

Work Schedule / Location:

Monday through Friday / In-person at our Puyallup office in Puyallup, WA.

The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to providing a respectful environment for all applicants and employees that is free from unlawful discrimination or harassment based on age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by law. Such equal opportunity for employment will apply to recruitment and hiring, training, promotion, salaries and other compensation, transfers and layoffs or termination.

The Salvation Army will comply with all governmental orders and any contractual obligations relative to COVID-19 safety measures, including mandatory vaccination of staff, if required. The Salvation Army will consider requests for exemptions from any such requirements on either religious or medical grounds.

A generous benefits package is included with full-time positions: paid holidays, vacation time, sick time, and medical, vision, and dental insurances.

Health Insurance: Low bi-weekly premiums ($ for employee only coverage, Kaiser HMO for those residing in a Kaiser service area, Anthem EPO/PPO is available for those residing outside of a Kaiser service area. Voluntary +1 and +family coverage at additional cost. Delta Dental DHMO and DPPO dental insurance offered starting at $ bi-weekly cost. Employees are covered by an employer paid life insurance policy. Voluntary supplemental life, short-term and long-term disability plans are available.

Retirement Plans: Employer-funded Money Purchase Pension Plan (Defined Contribution Plan) 50% vested at 5 years eligible service time, employee funded voluntary 403(b) options

Parental Leave: Benefit will be one week (5 business days) of paid leave at the employee’s normal rate of pay for births, adoptions and foster placements.

Sick Leave: 12 days annually accruing from day one, eligible for use after 3 months’ service time.

Paid Vacation: 2 weeks annually accruing from day one, for non-exempt positions. 4 weeks annually accruing from day one, for exempt positions. Accrued vacation eligible for use after 6 months’ service time.

Paid Holidays: 13 designated holidays + 1 floating holiday per year