The Donations Assistant is primarily responsible for procuring, inventorying, storing, and distributing donated material goods and purchased commodities needed in the Shelter program.  The Donations Assistant acts as the main contact for the Donations Center for the Shelter,
Childcare, and Service Coordination programs.  This position is also the main contact for HRM programs requesting Shelter based donations, such as excess food commodities.  The Assistant is the main point of contact for vendors of needed commodities.  As Shelter Residents are traumatized both by the intimate partner violence they experienced, the sudden experience of homelessness, and other personal and community violence, the Donations Assistant must be comfortable engaging traumatized people in a sensitive manner and must be comfortable working in a Voluntary Services program model.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Receives, sorts and distributes donated goods and purchased commodities, coordinating with HRM Donations Center, non-Shelter departments housed within the Shelter, and HRM food pantry programs not housed within Shelter to meet program and victim needs.

• Transports donations between Shelter and Donations Center, Storage spaces, and Food Pantry.

• Maintains inventory of donated material goods and purchased commodities.  Updates and distributes a needs list among Shelter based programs, and meets regularly with Program Leads to prioritize procurement and distribution of items.

• Tracks receipt and distribution of goods/ commodities through agency software/ paper system.

• Collects information to thank and follow up with donors.

• Organizes and maintains donation and purchased goods storage areas.

• Negotiates discounted rates for bulk purchases and places orders for donated and purchased material goods with approval of Residential House Manager.

• Meets with new residents to distribute material goods (such as clothing, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene items, etc.) in accordance with shelter procedure.

• Maintains inventory of cleaning supplies and equipment. Places supply orders with approval of Residential House Manager.

• Suggests volunteer opportunities.  Directs daily work of volunteers who perform activities connected to donations programming, such as daily clothes closet volunteers and group volunteers organizing storage spaces.

Experience/ Requirements:

• High school diploma/ GED equivalent or 2 years of experience in a victim centered advocacy or residential program.

• Valid Maryland Driver’s license and clean driving record.

• Excellent math and organizational skills

• Effective verbal, listening, and writing skills, with a strong ability to relate to a diverse range of individuals including victims, children, donors, and service providers.

• Be able to work in a fast paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.

• Ability to lift and carry up to 20 pounds.

• Familiarity with database and computer systems a plus.

• Ability to understand intimate partner violence and how it affects the client population.

• Ability to pass a criminal background check.