• Job Title - Try and give the title as much prestige as possible. Clever titles can even attract volunteers.
  
  
• Objective/Purpose of the Position - This is a general statement that identifies what the job is and why it is necessary within the organization.
  
  
• Job Summary - Give a brief overview of the position and what is involved.
  
  
• Supervisor Duties and Responsibilities - Be as specific as possible.
  
  
• Qualifications/Experience/Characteristics Required - List the skills, knowledge and attitudes you seek. Be careful not to over-qualify the position - you could lose some excellent volunteers.
  
  
• Benefits/Rewards Offered - What's in it for the volunteer? What is to be gained personally by doing the job?
  
  
• Training Offered - Outlines what training or orientation is available to the volunteer.
  
  
• References Required
  
  
• Time Commitment required (hours) - Expectations regarding time demands of the job. Be specific! i.e. weekly, monthly, long-term basis, flexible, self-determined
  
  
• Length of Service (term) - If the volunteer position has a specific term attached to it, this would also be outlined in the position description.
  
  
• Probationary Period (if applicable) - This outlines the length of the probationary period if required.
  
  
• Working Conditions - Describe the location/office etc. that the volunteer will be working from.
  
  
• Reporting Relationships
  
  
• Review Procedures - How an evaluation will be done and by whom.

Activity

Now that you have decided on volunteer tasks (from Module 1 activities) and you know what you expect from volunteers and what they expect from you (from Module 2 activities), design a volunteer job description. If you already have job descriptions in place, determine if it needs revising based on changing volunteer trends and the "new environment".

Community Literacy of Ontario has posted a variety of sample volunteer job descriptions (for board members, tutors and administrative volunteers) on their Volunteer Management Resource Centre. Go to http://www.nald.ca/volman.htm and click on "Job Descriptions".