Volunteer Development Officer jobs

Role Description - Volunteer Development Officer

• Reporting to: Museum Manager
• 22.5 hour per week (0.6 FTE)
• £27,000 – £29,000 per annum pro rata
• Fixed Term until 31 March 2028
• Part of the Project Team

Background

This post is being offered as part of Wheal Martyn’s Readying Wheal Martyn for the Future

project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project aims to strengthen the

charity’s sustainability and resilience, putting Wheal Martyn in a stronger position to respond

to future opportunities. The project includes two staff positions – a Project and

Development Manager and Volunteer Development Officer, the latter also supported with

funding from Arts Council England.

Wheal Martyn has an extensive and diverse volunteer workforce, including long-standing

volunteers alongside many new volunteers who have joined since this project began in April

2024. The project has made significant progress in developing volunteering at Wheal

Martyn, and this post will build on that work through the final stages of the project.

The Volunteer Development Officer will play a key role in further developing and embedding

volunteering across the organisation and helping to ensure that effective volunteer

management practices become sustainable beyond the life of the project.

1. Overall Purpose

1.1 To develop and strengthen volunteering at Wheal Martyn by increasing opportunities,

widening participation and developing volunteer skills and knowledge. The postholder

will help ensure volunteers have meaningful and enjoyable experiences, embed good

practice in volunteer management across the organisation, and develop sustainable

approaches that will support volunteering beyond the life of the project. The role will

also supervise the collections volunteer team one day a week, supporting

documentation, care and conservation activities.

2. Key Tasks and Responsibilities

Developing volunteering

2.1 Work with colleagues across the organisation to identify, develop and facilitate

sustainable volunteering opportunities that add capacity and meet organisational

needs

2.2 Identify skills and capacity gaps and lead targeted volunteer recruitment campaigns,

ensuring appropriate role descriptions and recruitment information are in place

2.3 Develop and promote a diverse range of volunteering opportunities, including

individual, group and corporate volunteering opportunities

2.4 Develop relationships with community groups, voluntary organisations and other

relevant partners to widen participation in volunteering

2.5 Attend community events and organise volunteer open days and other activities to

promote volunteering at Wheal Martyn

Volunteer experience and development

2.6 Support colleagues with volunteer induction, onboarding and ongoing engagement,

ensuring consistent application of Wheal Martyn's volunteer management practices

2.7 Identify training and development needs and coordinate appropriate learning

opportunities for volunteers

2.8 Support individuals who require additional assistance to access and sustain

volunteering opportunities

2.9 Develop and support lead volunteers, enabling greater volunteer ownership,

leadership and independence

2.10 Organise volunteer recognition and celebration activities that contribute to a positive

and rewarding volunteer experience

Staff support and organisational development

2.11 Provide advice, guidance and practical support to colleagues on effective volunteer

management

2.12 Organise and deliver training to staff, building their skills and confidence in recruiting,

supporting and managing volunteers

2.13 Keep volunteer policies, procedures, guidance and resources under review and

recommend improvements based on experience and best practice

2.14 Keep abreast of developments and good practice in volunteering and identify

opportunities to strengthen volunteer management across the organisation

Collections volunteering

2.15 Directly supervise the collections volunteer team one day per week, supporting the

delivery of collections documentation, care and conservation activities as agreed with

the Collections Manager

Evaluation, monitoring and legacy

2.16 Maintain accurate records of volunteer participation, activity, development and

outcomes

2.17 Gather volunteer feedback and undertake surveys and other evaluation activities to

inform continuous improvement

2.18 Work proactively with the evaluation consultant to monitor and assess the impact of

volunteering and contribute to project reporting

2.19 Develop a legacy plan for volunteering beyond the project, including sustainable

recruitment approaches, resources, guidance and tools for staff and volunteers

General

2.20 Take responsibility for the health and safety of yourself and others in accordance with

Wheal Martyn's policies and procedures

2.21 Undertake other reasonable duties consistent with the role

PERSON SPECIFICATION

3. Experience

Essential

3.1 Effective recruitment, support, development and engagement of volunteers

3.2 Development and delivery of volunteer recruitment, induction and training

3.3 Working effectively with external organisations and community partners

3.4 Monitoring activity, maintaining records and contributing to project reporting and

evaluation

Desirable

3.5 Consulting with volunteers and using feedback to improve volunteering

3.6 Working with different volunteering models and approaches

3.7 Volunteer development within a museum, heritage, cultural or environmental

organisation

3.8 Developing volunteer leadership and enabling volunteers to work independently

within agreed frameworks

3.9 Working on projects funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund

3.10 Experience of training or supporting staff to work effectively with volunteers

4. Knowledge

Essential

4.1 Understanding of good practice in volunteer recruitment, management, engagement,

development and retention

4.2 Understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion in volunteering

4.3 Understanding of the importance of safeguarding, health and safety and appropriate

boundaries when working with volunteers

4.4 Understanding of the contribution volunteers can make to organisational

sustainability and community engagement

Desirable

4.5 Knowledge of volunteering within the heritage, museum, environmental or cultural

sector

4.6 Understanding of the National Lottery Heritage Fund's approach to volunteering and

project evaluation

5. Skills and Abilities

Essential

5.1 Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build positive

relationships with volunteers, staff, community partners and other stakeholders

5.2 Ability to inspire, encourage and empower volunteers from a wide range of

backgrounds

5.3 Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands and meet

deadlines

5.4 Ability to work independently and take initiative while contributing effectively as part

of a team

5.5 Ability to plan, deliver and evaluate activities

5.6 Good written skills, including the ability to produce clear reports, guidance and other

documentation

5.7 Competent use of Microsoft Office and other digital systems for maintaining records

and communicating with stakeholders

Desirable

5.8 Ability to facilitate groups and deliver engaging training sessions

6. Qualifications

6.1 Relevant qualification or recognised training in volunteer management/development,

community development, heritage, education or a related discipline, OR equivalent

demonstrable experience.

FURTHER INFORMATION

• We offer a stakeholder pension scheme after 3 months of employment, with a 5%

contribution matched by the company, 23 days holiday, plus statutory bank holidays,

pro rata

• To apply please complete and return our application form or to learn more please

contact Ellie Lyons, HR Officer – recruitment@wheal-martyn.com

Closing Date: Monday 17 November 2026

Interviews: Thursday 26 November 2026

Pay: £27,000.00-£29,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person