Volunteer Job Descriptions

Earlier this month, I said it was important to stop recruiting volunteers and take some time to reset your program. Today, I want to talk specifically about job descriptions.

Every position I have taken on has come with a one-to-two page job description that highlighted the points of my job, the company’s expectations, and any other details I may need to know. This document provided clarity and a starting point for good communication. A volunteer position deserves the same respect. 

One of the most important volunteer positions I have found is that of a volunteer coordinator. Regardless of your job title, I am going to bet you do not have enough time to get everything done all the time. Managing volunteers is no different. Taking the time to find a person that is organized and communicates well to help you make the most of your volunteers is key to growing your team.

Some great resources for developing your job description are:
BetterTeam.com: https://www.betterteam.com/volunteer-coordinator-job-description
Society for Human Resource Management: https://www.shrm.org/ResourcesAndTools/tools-and-samples/job-descriptions/Pages/Volunteer-Coordinator.aspx

Once you have recruited the right volunteer, train them! Treat them like an employee as you onnboard them to your organization. This person, your volunteer coordinator, is going to be your right hand person and you want them to feel secure in their knowledge of the organization and the team they are serving.