Volunteer Coordinator

Role purpose

The Volunteer Coordinator is a key role within Pumpkin’s Wildlife Hospital and is responsible for the effective recruitment, support, development and retention of volunteers. Working with the Assistant Volunteer Coordinator, Trustees and Team Leaders, the postholder will ensure that volunteering is safe, inclusive and aligned with the needs of the hospital.

The Volunteer Coordinator will lead the volunteer management function, maintain and develop appropriate policies,oversee recruitment and volunteer events and ensure that relevant legislation, safeguarding requirements, confidentiality and data protection obligations are followed.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the hospital’s volunteer recruitment programme

• Work with relevant teams to understand their volunteering needs and help develop suitable opportunities and role descriptions.

• Interview prospective volunteers, assess their suitability and appoint volunteers 

• Work jointly with the Assistant Volunteer Coordinator on interviews and volunteer selection

• Delegate interviews where appropriate, as well as pre-volunteering checks

• Work with department and team leads to address performance or disciplinary matters 

• Lead and support the volunteer team, providing direction and supervision. 

• Keep up to date with changes in volunteering, safeguarding, employment-related and data protection requirements relevant to the role.

• Act as a friendly and approachable point of contact

• Ensure volunteers receive suitable inductions, training, role information and ongoing support.

• Work with our trustees on organising volunteering events 

• Ensure the volunteering team maintain accurate databases and ensure records are managed in accordance with UK GDPR and confidentiality requirements.

• Undertake other reasonable duties connected with volunteer management.

• Provide reports, updates and relevant information to Trustees as required.

• Attend relevant meetings and represent Pumpkin’s Wildlife Hospital professionally.

• Promote a positive, respectful and inclusive volunteer culture.

• Put volunteer welfare and appropriate safeguarding at the centre of volunteering.

• Follow Pumpkin’s Wildlife Hospital policies and procedures and raise concerns promptly.

• Work collaboratively with volunteers and Trustees to support the hospital’s mission

Person specification

Essential:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with empathy and the ability to build positive relationships with a wide range of people.

• Strong organisational and administrative skills

• Ability to recruit and retain volunteers effectively.

• Ability to manage difficult conversations, conflict and performance concerns appropriately and professionally.

• Good IT literacy and confidence maintaining records and using digital communication tools.

• A commitment to safeguarding, confidentiality, equality, inclusion and data protection.

• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with volunteers and Trustees.

Desirable:

• Experience of volunteer management, recruitment, HR or a related role.

• Knowledge of UK volunteering practice, safeguarding and relevant legislation.

• Experience of developing policies, procedures, risk assessments or training.

• Experience of working in a charity, animal welfare or community organisation.