Describing Various Volunteer Opportunities Available
Volunteer position descriptions are important to your success in recruiting and retaining volunteers for your local SHIP. Volunteers, just like paid staff, like to know what is expected of them. Equally important, a position description can help paid staff and other volunteers understand how the responsibilities of a volunteer role complement, or intersect with, their own. Position descriptions also can help you determine staffing levels and the related costs of a volunteer program.
It's a good idea to use a standard format for position descriptions and to make changes that describe responsibilities and reporting relationships specific to the volunteer role. It's best to provide facts about the position, free of jargon and abbreviations. As much as possible, avoid long, wordy descriptions. They tend to confuse or intimidate potential volunteers. Do your best to balance clarity and conciseness with the volunteers' need to have a complete description of the position's duties and responsibilities.
A position description is most helpful when it:
- Explains the purpose and duties of the position;
- Identifies a supervisor and worksite(s);
- States the desired time commitment; and
- Lists the position's qualifications, skills sets, and responsibilities.
When you create a position description for a new volunteer role, it is good to consult with other staff, as appropriate, and to seek input from those with whom the volunteer will be working. A well-crafted position description also is a useful guide for supervisory staff as they offer feedback to a volunteer on his or her performance. Try to review and update position descriptions regularly. Be mindful of the questions prospective volunteers and other staff members raise as they read the position description and respond to those comments when you make revisions.
In summary, the purpose of a position description is to serve as a useful recruitment tool for prospective volunteers, a point of reference in screening applicants, a guide for supervisors in giving performance feedback.
