Community service coordinators work in a variety of settings. They may devise volunteer and outreach programs for large corporations, help nonprofit organizations recruit volunteers, or work in higher education, medical facilities or even consulting firms. While the job varies significantly from setting to setting, community service coordinators share some duties in common -- notably a dedication to organizing community service and outreach efforts.

Educational Requirements

Every institution that hires a service coordinator establishes its own educational requirements, but a bachelor's degree is typical. In many cases, service coordinators have degrees in fields related to the services they provide. For example, a service coordinator who works with children and families might have a degree in psychology, social work or developmental psychology.

Provide Information and Resources

Many service coordinators are charged with directly offering information and resources to the populations they're paid to assist. For example, many service coordinators work with senior citizens to help them remain independent and stay in their homes. This job may mean connecting people with community resources such as continuing education programs, helping people locate low-cost housing, food and medical options, or even educating people about their legal rights. Many service coordinators work as advocates for people who don't have access to the information necessary to advocate for themselves.

Coordinate Service Efforts

Community service coordinators are often charged with coordinating community outreach events. They might, for example, recruit volunteers for a community outreach project, educate employees on a business's community outreach program or devise a list of policies and procedures for community outreach events. These duties are common among service coordinators who work with businesses and nonprofits, and not all service coordinators have the authority or funding to devise new programs.

Advise About and Develop Programs

Many community service coordinators develop, implement and oversee specific programs. This role can demand significant experience managing and developing a budget, and some service coordinators are charged with obtaining funding and ensuring a project doesn't go over its budget. Service coordinators may sit on a variety of committees, and may have to work with several branches within a business. A service coordinator who works at a college, for example, might need to coordinate funding with the budget office, devise schedules based on information from the student life office, and develop programs based on needs the counseling or student outreach offices identify.