Volunteer Coordinator
Posted 8 hours 53 minutes ago by University of Manchester
Join us at an exciting time for Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement, part of The University of Manchester, as we continue to grow our work as a world-leading destination for science, heritage, culture and public engagement. Home to the iconic Lovell Telescope, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the award-winning First Light Pavilion and with a vibrant programme of education, special events and visitor experiences, Jodrell Bank welcomes thousands of visitors and learners each year.
The Volunteer Programme was launched through our NLHF-funded First Light Project and now supports a cohort of more than 60 individuals who contribute to activities across the site, enriching the visitor experience.
As Volunteer Coordinator, you will play a key role in developing, coordinating and supporting this welcoming, inclusive and rewarding volunteer programme. You will help volunteers contribute meaningfully across a range of activities, including visitor welcome, hosting, gardens, public engagement, events and work experience placements, while ensuring they feel valued, informed and supported throughout their volunteering journey.
This is a permanent, part-time role, working 0.5 FTE, equivalent to 17.5 hours per week. The role is based at Jodrell Bank and will involve some evening and weekend work to support the Centre's visitor, events and engagement programme. Jodrell Bank does not currently have a public transport link, so the post-holder will need access to personal transport. This is primarily an on-site role with occasional flexibility for home working.
We are seeking a proactive, highly organised and people-focused Volunteer Coordinator to strengthen and develop volunteer engagement across Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement.
You will act as the main point of contact for volunteers, supporting them from recruitment and induction through to scheduling, training, supervision, ongoing communication and recognition. You will work closely with colleagues across Visitor Services, Public Programming, Education, Engagement and Operations to identify volunteer opportunities, coordinate volunteer involvement and ensure volunteers are effectively integrated into the work of the Centre.
The role will also lead on the Work Experience Programme, working closely with the Engagement Team to coordinate placements, schedules and administration. You will help ensure opportunities are attractive, accessible and well managed, supporting a positive experience for volunteers, students, colleagues and visitors.
Jodrell Bank is an active research, heritage and visitor site, and the role requires sensitivity to the unique nature of the environment, including the need to balance volunteering activity with conservation, public engagement and the operational requirements of a radio astronomy site.
- Develop and maintain volunteering opportunities across Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement, working with colleagues to identify meaningful roles that support visitor welcome, engagement activities, events, gardens, work experience and wider organisational priorities.
- Produce and maintain clear volunteer role descriptions, agreements, schedules and supporting information, ensuring expectations are well understood by volunteers and colleagues.
- Promote and recruit volunteers through a range of channels, including volunteer databases, email, community networks and social media.
- Interview prospective volunteers and complete the necessary administration relating to recruitment, appointment and induction.
- Coordinate volunteer and work experience schedules, ensuring appropriate cover for daily activities, special events and large-scale programmes.
- Act as the main point of contact for volunteers, providing ongoing support, guidance, communication and encouragement.
- Ensure volunteers are fully inducted, appropriately trained and confident in carrying out their roles.
- Assess volunteer training needs and work with colleagues to arrange appropriate training, briefings and development opportunities.
- Maintain accurate volunteer records, assignments, availability and skills information, ensuring Team Kinetic is kept up to date as the volunteer management system.
- Coordinate work experience placements, including advertising opportunities, managing applications and producing schedules in liaison with the Education and Engagement Team.
- Support volunteers to feel integrated, valued and recognised as part of the Jodrell Bank team.
- Administer volunteer travel expenses and support practical arrangements, including dedicated spaces for volunteer rest and refreshment.
- Develop relationships with partner organisations and local community groups to widen access to volunteering opportunities.
- Support the development of inclusive, accessible volunteering and work experience programmes that reflect the diversity of the communities Jodrell Bank serves.
- Collect feedback from volunteers, conduct exit interviews and use insight to support continual improvement.
- Experience of working with volunteers or community groups and/or personal experience as a volunteer.
- Experience of working in a heritage site, science centre, museum, visitor attraction, cultural venue or comparable public-facing environment.
- Experience of working with a diverse range of people from local communities.
- Experience of recruiting people through a range of channels.
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise a varied workload, meet deadlines and coordinate people, schedules and activities in a busy environment.
- Excellent administrative skills, with the ability to develop and maintain effective systems.
- Working knowledge of databases and Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
- A friendly, encouraging and approachable manner, with an ability to build positive relationships with volunteers, colleagues, partners and visitors.
- Excellent communication skills, including the ability to listen attentively, respond constructively and communicate clearly with a wide range of people.
- The ability to coordinate and work as part of a team, demonstrating flexibility and a willingness to support colleagues.
- An interest in or curiosity about the visitor attraction sector, heritage, science and culture.
- A strong understanding of why people volunteer and what supports a rewarding volunteer experience.
- Awareness of the sensitivities involved in balancing volunteering activities with heritage conservation, visitor experience and the working operation of an active science research facility.
- A commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, wellbeing and the University's values.
- Experience of working in partnership with community organisations.
- Coaching, supervision or training experience.
- A strong understanding of the voluntary sector.
- Experience of developing volunteering programmes that support community-focused audience development.
Join a world-class institution that values diversity, equality, enquiry and challenge in the workplace.
At Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement, you will be part of a committed and creative team working at the intersection of science, heritage, culture and public engagement. You will help volunteers contribute to an inspiring place with a unique history, an active research environment and a growing role as one of the University's cultural institutions.
The University of Manchester is committed to providing a supportive and inclusive environment where all employees can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and look forward to welcoming the next member of our team to Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement.
- Generous employer pension contribution
- Christmas closure across all departments outside of annual leave and bank holidays
- Purple Place employee discount platform
For more information, please see University of Manchester Benefits. You can also find information on our Flexible and Hybrid working here.
We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace and celebrate difference, diversity and debate, and we pride ourselves on being a place of education, learning and community where we are able, within the law, to question and test received wisdom, express new ideas and explore controversial or unpopular topics and opinions. Find out more from our Freedom of Speech Policy.
Name: Julia Riley
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