SITXHRM502
Manage volunteers

This unit covers the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to manage a volunteer workforce. It requires the ability to determine and evaluate volunteer staffing requirements, recruit, select, train and maximise volunteer retention.

Application

This unit applies to individuals working in any industry who need to manage volunteer involvement in business or community activities. It is particularly relevant in the community, cultural, sporting and tourism sectors where volunteers feature prominently as part of the workforce both as part of oneoff events and ongoing industry activities.

It applies to senior personnel who operate independently or with limited guidance from others, including dedicated specialist staff or operational supervisors and managers.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

1. Research, determine and define needs for volunteer involvement.

1.1 Determine and evaluate volunteer requirements based on analysis of relevant human resource information and consultation with relevant stakeholders.

1.2 Assess benefits, costs and risks of volunteer involvement to the organisation.

1.3 Establish and assess the requirements and impacts of relevant legislation and industry codes.

1.4 Define overall volunteer roles according to specific organisational or project requirements.

2. Undertake volunteer recruitment.

2.1 Identify and incorporate consideration of volunteer social and other motivations in work design programs.

2.2 Develop appropriate position descriptions based on review of volunteer roles.

2.3 Establish and incorporate volunteer rewards into the recruitment program.

2.4 Communicate and delegate responsibility for volunteer coordination to relevant paid personnel.

2.5 Identify key target areas from which volunteers might be recruited.

3. Maximise volunteer retention.

3.1 Develop a climate of recognition and support for volunteers through representation in the wider environment.

3.2 Identify and incorporate individual requirements of volunteers into work role design.

3.3 Arrange suitable induction and training for volunteers to ensure work roles, rights and responsibilities are clearly understood.

4. Ensure a positive experience for volunteers.

4.1 Liaise with volunteers regularly to monitor experience from both organisation and volunteer perspective.

4.2 Identify and evaluate areas of concern and initiate follow up action.

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to:

provide information about volunteer responsibilities and responsibility for volunteer coordination to paid personnel

discuss the volunteers experience with the organisation

critical thinking skills to research and evaluate aspects of volunteer recruitment and management

literacy skills to:

research sources of a volunteer workforce

write volunteer recruitment information and position descriptions

numeracy skills to estimate numbers of volunteers

planning and organising skills to evaluate volunteer requirements and plan for recruitment of appropriate numbers and skills

problem-solving skills to identify and resolve volunteer skill deficiencies through training, coaching or re-assignment of duties

self-management skills to take responsibility for recruiting and managing a volunteer workforce to meet operational needs

teamwork skills to develop a climate of recognition and support for volunteers within the paid workforce.

Required knowledge

social, political, cultural and historical issues that affect volunteering

contribution made by volunteers in the relevant industry or community sector, and more broadly in Australian society

motivational patterns of volunteers

benefits, costs and risks of using volunteers

human resource management practices and principles for volunteers, including:

defining broad work roles and position descriptions

recruitment methods

training requirements

links to broader organisational or project strategies

insurance issues that impact on using a volunteer workforce

the key elements of legislation that impact on volunteer management, including Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), workplace relations and work health and safety.

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

determine and evaluate volunteer staffing requirements, recruit, select, train and maximise volunteer retention for an organisation or community activity

integrate knowledge of human resource management principles to recruit, select and induct volunteers.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure use of:

a real or simulated tourism, hospitality or event industry business operation or activity for which volunteers are recruited, selected and trained

operational information about the organisation or activity subject to volunteer use

current recruitment documentation.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

projects or activities to assess the individual’s ability to:

determine and evaluate volunteer staffing requirements

recruit, select train volunteers

maximise volunteer retention for an organisation or community activity

evaluation of documents prepared by the individual:

reports outlining the benefits, costs and risks of volunteer involvement to the organisation

lists or plans identifying volunteer roles

position descriptions

recruitment ads

descriptions of volunteer rewards

evaluation of a report completed by the individual giving details of the management of a volunteer workforce for a tourism, hospitality or event industry operation from inception to conclusion

written or oral questioning to assess knowledge of human resource management principles used to recruit, select and induct volunteers

review of portfolios of evidence and thirdparty workplace reports of onthejob performance by the individual.

Guidance information for assessment

The assessor should design integrated assessment activities to holistically assess this unit with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role, for example:

BSBPMG501A Manage projects

SITXCOM201 Show social and cultural sensitivity

SITXEVT503 Manage event staging components

SITXHRM501 Recruit, select and induct staff

SITXHRM503 Monitor staff performance.


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Human resource information may include:

event information

operational plans

organisational human resource plans.

Benefits, costs and risks may include:

community cultural development

community engagement

financial

impact on the paid workforce

risks of using untrained or partially trained staff.

Relevant legislation and industry codes may include:

company codes and guidelines

EEO

organisation articles of association

professional association regulations

work health and safety.

Social and other motivations may relate to:

acknowledgment

break from routine

desire to do something different

enjoyment

increased selfesteem

learning new skills

loyalty

meeting new people

pathway to employment

sense of involvement

socialisation

status

support of family members and friends

travel.

Position descriptions may include information on:

accountability

commitment

reimbursement of costs

required knowledge

responsibilities

rewards

skills and attributes

uniform.

Volunteer rewards may include:

community involvement

free admittance to games, competitions or events

free or discounted merchandise

opportunities for social interaction

pathway to employment

skill development.

Target areas may include:

family and friends

local community and community groups

past and present membership of service organisations

unemployed people

volunteer agencies.

Representation in the wider environment may include:

promoting the benefits and value of volunteers to colleagues

providing input to organisation’s overall human resource plan.


Sectors

Cross-Sector


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.