Volunteer Job Description

Volunteers provide their time and work on a variety of different tasks, depending on the organization they volunteer for. Many of these tasks include marketing and fundraising, administrative duties, and team projects. The hours for this job vary and can be full or part-time, depending on the position and how many hours the volunteer can provide. The location of the job can vary also, such as fundraising at outdoor events or administrative work in an office environment. This job is well suited to people who are passionate about the cause they work for, are great communicators, love working as part of a team, and have a positive energy and personality.

Volunteer Duties and Responsibilities

Volunteers perform a variety of duties depending on the organization they work for. Based on job listings we analyzed, a volunteer’s responsibilities typically involve:

Helping with Marketing Efforts

Volunteers promote the cause they work for by helping with marketing campaigns. This can include creating posters, setting up for events, and updating blogs or websites with new information to help encourage people to attend.

Providing Information to the Public

Volunteers speak to the public over the phone, email, or in person to answer any questions they may have and to provide as much information as possible about the cause.

Working with Other Volunteers on Projects

Volunteers work closely with other people on projects towards shared targets, or creating activity plans.

Motivating Others to Get Involved

Volunteers are key in motivating others to get involved with the cause at hand, such as encouraging them to donate money or to sign up to fundraising events.

Keeping Accurate Records

Volunteers are responsible for keeping up-to-date records where necessary and supplying these records or reports to higher members of the organization on a regular basis.

Volunteer Skills and Qualifications

Volunteers need to be empathetic, great communicators, and comfortable working as part of a team towards shared goals and targets. There is no formal requirement to become a volunteer, but the following skills are beneficial:

Teamwork – volunteers should work well as part of a team and value diversity, as they will often be working with people of all different backgrounds and ages
Communication skills – volunteers should have strong communication skills and be able to follow instructions clearly and efficiently
Confidentiality – volunteers are often involved in working with confidential matters or sensitive subjects, so their ability to withhold this information is vital
Organization skills – in order to manage different tasks, volunteers need to be organized and able to manage their time effectively
Work ethic – volunteers must be able to work on various projects and sometimes in adverse conditions to achieve a goal or target, so it’s important that applicants for this position have an excellent work ethic

Volunteer Education and Training

There is no formal requirement to become a volunteer and different organizations will have their own specific requirements for what skills applicants should have. It is beneficial to have skills or previous experience related to the field the position is in.

Volunteer Salary and Outlook

Volunteers are typically not paid for their efforts and often work for charities, providing their time in lieu of a salary.

Helpful Resources

We’ve collected some of the best resources to help you learn more about becoming a volunteer.

Make a Difference: America’s Guide to Volunteering and Community Service – this book offers valuable advice for anyone inspired to volunteer and give back to their community. It helps readers to find different opportunities and put their skills to the best possible use.

Volunteering: How Service Enriches Your Life – volunteering provides a great way to stand out in an every-competitive work environment and is enriching on a personal level as well. This book shows people how to pick up new skills and make important contacts, as well as helping to develop an entirely new perspective on goals.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Volunteering and Giving Back – this book provides a collection of 101 stories to inspire and encourage people to volunteer, and the many ways we can give back.

All Hands Volunteers Blog – focusing on disaster relief around the world, this site’s blog covers different volunteering projects, personal experiences, and the latest news – a useful site for those interested in volunteering in this sector.

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