The volunteer opportunities at Focus: HOPE are expanding with our goal of incorporating volunteers into virtually every department. The assistance from volunteers will help us expand our impact -- and will provide a meaningful experience for those donating their time on our behalf. This is a partial listing of opportunities that are available.
If you are interested, please call Andrea at 313-494.4270 or send an email to volunteer@focushope.edu.
Admissions Department
Administrative Assistant
Assist in providing administrative support which includes the following:
Processing prospective student records, collecting & scanning documents, entering data, assisting w maintenance of files, some telephone support
Ongoing position, M,W,F afternoons, 12pm-4pm
Admissions Assistant
Assist admissions representatives with outreach which includes the following:
- Develop and maintain contacts with school systems and their students, community orgs and civic groups. Inform them on Focus: HOPE education and training opportunities
- Conduct outreach to groups wishing to learn more about Focus: HOPE programs
- Verbally communicate approved presentations to promote Focus: HOPE education and training programs to prospective students
- Actively participate in special recruiting promotional activities.
Significant local travel to schools, organizations, etc
Ongoing position, M-F 8am-12pm & 12pm-4pm
Communications
Script Writer
Professional writer to write script for student recruitment video
Requires working with Focus: HOPE videographer, intern, and Admissions staff
Must have previous script writing experience
Days and times flexible
Community Development
Administrative Assistant
Provide administrative and office management support to Community and Economic Development Department which includes the following:
- Filing and office organization, meeting arrangements, ordering office supplies & materials, distributing literature, handling business correspondence, processing & distributing reports
Requirements: high school graduate, trained in data-entry, office clerical/ receptionist skills or one year experience in office work, ability to type 30wpm, willingness to attend community meetings, strong organizing abilities & phone etiquette, ability to handle confidential information and records, computer literate – competent user of MS Office software
Must be reliable and dedicated
Ongoing position, day & time flexible, 15hrs/wk
Education Department
Student Placement Support
Assist in finding internship jobs for CAT and IMSE students
Support development of the Focus: HOPE Employment Agency by making phone calls and visiting perspective employers
Experience working for a placement firm, placing engineering personnel
Ongoing position, M-F 10 am-3 pm, Days & Hours: Flexible
Engineering Department
Direct Metal Deposition (DMD) Technician
Assist with DMD research a project which includes the following:
- Performing experimental repairs on parts for Department of Defense
- Setting up fixtures, developing operational parameters, testing capabilities of DMD process, developing programs in G-code
Requirements: familiarity with operation, programming and setup of CNC machines, heavy lifting, ability to work with high-power, industrial lasers and metallic powders, flexible mind and be capability of tackling difficult problems, must be U.S. citizen
Ongoing position, 6am-2:30pm, 40hrs/wk
Engineering Department Assistant
Assist with departmental duties which include:
- Maintaining department files
- Performing receptionist duties, type business memos, letters and reports
- Performing shipping and receiving duties when needed
Ongoing position, M-F 8am-2:30pm
Fast Track Program
Math Tutor
Tutoring high school math in support of Fast Track and the new Patient Care Technician program.
Ongoing position, M-F 10:30 am-12 pm
Test Proctor
Manage the process of standardized testing to potential enrollees – Test for Adult Basic Education (TABE)
Score and record test results
Compile and distribute test data
Part time – Tuesdays 8:30 a.m. – Noon, Thursdays 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Finance Department
Finance Assistant
- Assist with ongoing duties and special projects which require:
Accounting experience and/or tax preparation experience
Ongoing position, days and hours are flexible
Food Program
Truck Driver Assistant
Assist with unloading truck
Must be able to lift minimum of 35lbs
Ongoing position, days vary, 8am-3pm
Senior Delivery Office Assistant
Assist with filing and phone calls at Central Warehouse (6500 E. Davidson)
No computer skills needed
Volunteer needed first day of each month and/or third week of each month
Senior Greeter
Greet food program participants, staff the Information Desk, and assist with phone coverage.
Human Resources Department
Clerical Assistant
Assist with clerical services which include the following:
- Filing personnel records and maintaining HR file room
- Performing backup assistance for Resource Center receptionist and Mail Room, if requested
Ongoing position, M-F 9am-5pm, 8-40 hrs per week
Data Entry Assistant
Assist with computer data input which includes entering personnel data
Required Abilities: detail oriented, mid-level computer skills, working knowledge of Microsoft Office, ability to work on long-term assignments, professional with ability to maintain confidentiality and integrity
HR experience preferred, but not required
Ongoing position, M-F 9 am-5 pm, 8-40 hrs per week
Information Technologies Center
Market Researcher
Conduct a market research project which assesses the following:
- Demand by employed IT professionals for specific IT certifications in metro area
- Where do IT professionals go for certification specific training
- IT professionals’ ability to pay tuition up-front or a “payment plan” over the duration of the certification course (1-3 months)
Machinist Training Institute
Student Document Coordinator
- Assist in the creation of ISO-like documentation for MTI academic and administrative functions
- Track student data for retention improvement efforts
- Communicate cross-organizationally to streamline processes
- Create process for tracking student data that will lead to increased retention using spreadsheets and graphs
Should have: Strong organizationals kills, strong knowledge or MS Excel (including the ability to use formulas and links between forms), strong communication skills, knowledge of ISO documentation process a plus (but not required), and ability to work in a team environment.
Approximately 10 hours per week for one year.
Machine Repairman
- Assist in repair and preventative maintenance of MTI machines (manual lathes, mills, grinders)
- Trouble-shoot, repair, plan and perform complicated machine/engine repair work on various types of machine tools
- Set up and operate various machine tools to make parts, perform very accurate fitting and adjustments, etc
- Communicate assessments and estimates of time to repair
Should have: strong organizational skills, ability to work in a team environment
Availability is flexible; between 15-20hrs/wk is ideal.
Maintenance Department
Maintenance Support
- Assist with service calls which include the following:
- Grounds work: grass cutting, weeding, planting, etc.
- Skilled trades: electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling
Ongoing position, M-F 6am-2:30pm, needed two days for eight hours
Student Services
Job Placement Assistant
Assist with Job Placement activities which include the following:
- Contacting potential employers, identifying employers who have open positions to full using internet, job search tools, job leads, networking, etc.
- Matching graduates to job requirements
- Maintaining appropriate files & records
Skills: marketing experience is a plus, good communicator, job developer, high level of interpersonal skills
Ongoing position, day and time flexible, 10-20hrs/wk
Student Record Organizer
Develop record keeping system for student records,
Organize student records & advise on records for archival disposition
Skills: bookkeeping, record storage, office management, and strong organizational skills
One time project, days and time flexible
Volunteer Department
Volunteer Coordinator Assistant
- Correspond with and schedule volunteers
- Use of new technologies and communication forums to attract new volunteers
- Participate in community activities as needed
- Work on Special Projects including the annual WALK
- Organize mailings – identify lists and implement
- Perform related duties as assigned under supervision of the Manager of the Volunteers & Community Outreach Department
Skills: ability to plan, organize and document tasks, excellent oral and written communication skills, ability to work with people from varied backgrounds (economic, geographic, ethnic, age, etc.), excellent computer skills, knowledge of services provided by Focus: HOPE to the community
Ongoing position, part or full-time