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| Job Title: |
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Volunteer Development Officer |
| Organisation: |
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Wheal Martyn Trust |
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| Salary: |
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£27,000 - £29,000 p.a. (pro rata) |
| Type: |
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Part-Time Position (22.5 hour per week (0.6 FTE))
Contract: until 31 March 2028 |
| Location: |
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Cornwall, England |
| Closing Date: |
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Tuesday, 17th November 2026 |
| Job Ref No: |
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| Job Description |
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Wheal Martyn Trust - Readying Wheal Martyn for the Future
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 |
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| Application Instructions |
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Closing Date: Tuesday 17 November 2026
Interviews: Thursday 26 November 2026 Application Link:
https://www.wheal-martyn.com/join-the-team |
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