Job Title: Volunteer Development Officer

Name: Rebecca Evans

Location: Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Employer: Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority

 

Job Responsibilities:

My role involves working with staff to enable volunteering to take place. Traditionally we only had a few volunteers doing practical volunteering with Rangers. We have now diversified to be able to offer over 20 different volunteering roles across different teams in the Authority, including supported volunteering opportunities. I try to ensure there is a consistent approach to volunteering, that volunteer line managers feel supported and empowered and that they are fully trained. In addition, I’m working towards raising the profile of volunteering within the Authority and more widely, ensuring that the value of volunteers is recognised and that their efforts are recorded and reported on.

I also work directly with volunteers, managing enquiries, signposting to opportunities, and ensuring that they feel supported on their volunteering journey.

Majority of time is spent doing ‘behind the scenes’ work. I’m lucky enough to now have an administrative assistant, so I can now devote more of my time to developmental work, such as working with staff to get new opportunities up and running, scoping out partnership opportunities, writing regular updates and newsletters, and working to continually improve the volunteer experience.

Time is spent mainly indoors, however I do go out with the different groups of volunteers on a regular basis.

Is there any seasonal variation:

There isn’t much seasonal variation in terms of my work. However certain times of the year are busier for volunteering requests. Often people turn over a new leaf in the new year, or start thinking about outdoor activities once the weather gets better. There also seems to be a stream of requests for corporate volunteering opportunities in the spring and summer.

 

Qualifications needed:

No specific qualifications are needed. Experience of being a volunteer or working with volunteers is helpful. Experience working with different groups of people helps too, as does knowledge of the area and the organisation. Sometimes having worked in the third sector might be useful.

Skills needed: 

The ability to pay attention to detail, as well as step back and see the bigger picture and take a more strategic view. It’s important to be welcoming, friendly and efficient, but also sometimes necessary to be able to say no and to have difficult conversations. Good working relationships with colleagues and the general public are both important, as well as good communication skills.

 

Advice to anyone looking at similar roles:

Get experience volunteering, working with volunteers or managing volunteers. It can be very satisfying seeing new roles come to fruition, or matching volunteers to roles and seeing what a difference a successful volunteer placement can make to someone’s life. There is lots of support available from different groups once you are in post. I’m a member of the Association of Volunteer Managers and also a National Parks UK volunteer officer group member.

If you have any queries about this role or would like to ask a question of the job holder please contact Rebecca on rebeccae@pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk