Volunteer Job Description Sample

Volunteer are often hired by nonprofit groups and organizations to assist with a variety of community activities. Their job includes maintaining healthy relationship with people and explore community undertakings to encourage independence and development. There are a variety of tasks for volunteers, all with varying levels of responsibility. Some volunteers, such as the ones involved in marketing, will perform most of their work prior to community and cultural events. 

What are the primary responsibilities of a Volunteer? 

• Make announcements to audiences
• Communicate with performers and technicians
• Make sure snacks, drinking water etc. are properly maintained
• Ensure proper arrangement of chairs and other furniture
• Liaise with event managers and MCs to check everything is right
• Offer assistance on stages if required to check audio and video related equipment
• Solve program issues with help from the Director
• Check whether equipment kept backstage are stored safely
• Ensure safety of stages and gear involved
• Greet and welcome guests to the venue
• Keep track of ticket rates, program content etc.
• Offer visitors a guided tour when required
• Help out media people with interviews and other events
• Examine possible photo ops 

What are the education and entry requirements for a Volunteer? 

There is no fixed profile for a Volunteer. Each organization may have its own, unique requirements. Volunteers are often entrusted with a variety of tasks and may be posted in a range of locations from big cities to tiny townships. Each assignment comes with its own requirements when it comes to education, age and other personal attributes. Although Volunteer work is usually open to all graduates, a degree in areas like Business and management studies, Human resource management, Social work etc. can improve your chances of landing a high paying, senior-level job. 

What are the Pros of being a Volunteer? 

• You gain valuable work experience that can help launch a career.
• You get to meet new contacts and this can pave the way for exciting career opportunities.
• Volunteering allows you to serve the community.
• Helps you fight depression.
• You can use volunteers as a way of filling in gaps on your resume.
• Most employers prefer hiring students who had taken up some kind of volunteering work.
• It is a healthy way to put your free time to good use. 

What are the Cons of being a Volunteer?

• Poor compensation and benefits may be demotivating at times.
• Some of the prospective employers can take you for granted and assume that you can be made to work for free or for less pay than what you are worth.
• Time consuming.
• Sometimes your volunteering experience is not seen as relevant to your job search.
• There is a possibility of getting too emotionally attached to the community you are working for. 

What are the skills and qualities required to become a successful Volunteer? 

• Commitment to the values of volunteering.
• Esteem for diversity.
• Readiness to work in a multicultural setting.
• Adjust to changing working environments.
• Write and communicate effectively in local languages.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong social skills and the ability to work with a variety of people.
• A good understanding of people and their basic needs.
• Ability to motivate others.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to multitask.
• Administrative ability.
• Flexibility.
• Non-judgmental nature.
• Hardworking.
• Empathy.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Creative. 

How much can a Volunteer earn? 

The average Volunteer salary is around $40,000 per year or $20 per hour. Salaries lie in the range of $27,000 to $55,000. 

Work environment and career outlook 

The majority of volunteers are mostly employed by NGOs, charity and educational organizations, including private and public sectors. They are often found lending a helping hand at festival events, galleries, museums, hospitals, prison services, blood donations camps, religious camps and sports related groups among others. After gaining some years of experience, volunteers get promoted to roles in Volunteer coordination. More volunteering opportunities are becoming available all the time, as more companies are now placing an importance on giving something in return to the community.