Overview:

Job title: Volunteer Coordinator (Part-Time)

Contract: Fixed term until July 2027

Salary: £23809.50 per annum, pro rata

Hours: 15 hours per week (2 days per week)

Location: Rowsley, Derbyshire

Responsible to: Arts Administrator

Job Purpose: The Volunteer Coordinator will be responsible for the recruitment, management, and support of volunteers who contribute to various projects within our arts centre, including our new community garden. You will ensure that volunteers are effectively integrated into our programmes, receive appropriate training, and are supported in their roles.

About LEVEL:

LEVEL is a contemporary Arts Centre in Rowsley, Derbyshire supported by Arts Council England. We’re a vibrant hub for creativity and community engagement, dedicated to fostering inclusivity and artistic expression for people of all abilities. Our centre is open to the public year round with a packed programme of visual arts exhibitions, digital installations, events and workshops. We deliver projects for our disabled and learning disabled creative community, SEN schools and day centres. We have a Youth Collective programme for young people who are autistic and/or neurodivergent, and a creative programme for home schooled young people or those out of mainstream education.

Level is a registered charity that ‘Celebrates the Art that Difference Makes’. Everything we do has a value. Our support goes beyond creativity, offering experiences that make a difference.

We work with:

• Learning disabled and disabled people
  
• Autistic and/or neurodivergent people
• Artists, performers and interesting people
• Our Derbyshire community
• Cultural and creative organisations
• National and International partners

Our Mission: We celebrate the art that ‘difference’ makes

Our Vision: We unlock the unique talents of disabled creatives. We show the world how powerful ‘difference’ can be.

More information is available here.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a dynamic and inclusive team dedicated to making a positive impact in the community through the arts and environmental initiatives.
  
• Opportunity to contribute to the growth and success of a new biodiverse community garden.
  
• A supportive and creative environment.
  

Role Overview:

The Volunteer Coordinator will be responsible for the recruitment, management, and support of volunteers who contribute to various projects within our arts centre, including our new community garden. You will ensure that volunteers are effectively integrated into our programmes, receive appropriate training, and are supported in their roles. Additionally, you will manage expenses, travel, and training budgets related to volunteer activities, ensuring that resources are used efficiently. You will work closely with our Engagement & Projects Coordinator in this role, and be line managed by our Arts Administrator. This role requires a proactive and organised individual with a passion for the arts and the environment and a commitment to inclusivity, ready to support a team of dedicated volunteers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Volunteer Recruitment: Develop and implement strategies to recruit volunteers from diverse backgrounds, with a focus on individuals who are passionate about the environment, gardening, arts, disability and community engagement.
  
• Volunteer Management: Oversee the day-to-day management of volunteers, including scheduling, assigning roles, and ensuring they have the necessary resources and support to perform their duties effectively.
  
• Volunteer Support: Provide ongoing support and guidance to volunteers, addressing any issues or concerns, and ensuring a positive and inclusive experience for all.
  
• Training & Development: Coordinate and facilitate training sessions for volunteers, ensuring they are well-prepared for their roles, particularly in supporting individuals with additional needs. Produce any training materials required.
  
• Safeguarding: Oversee and monitor DBS requirements for all volunteers.
  
• Community Garden Support: Work closely with volunteers involved in the biodiverse community garden, ensuring they have the tools and knowledge needed to contribute effectively to the garden’s success.
  
• Budget Management: Manage expenses, travel, and training budgets related to volunteer activities, ensuring that all expenditures are tracked and within allocated limits.
  
• Collaboration: Work collaboratively with staff, participants, and external partners to integrate volunteers into all relevant aspects of the arts centre’s activities.
  
• Inclusivity: Foster an inclusive environment that welcomes volunteers of all abilities, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to contribute meaningfully.

Skills:

• Volunteer Management Experience: Previous experience in coordinating and managing volunteers, ideally within a community-focused or arts-based organisation.
  
• Strong Organisational Skills: Excellent organisational and multitasking abilities, with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
  
• Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage and motivate volunteers from diverse backgrounds.
  
• Budget Management: Experience in managing budgets, including expenses related to travel and training.
  
• Interpersonal Skills: A compassionate and inclusive approach to working with volunteers and participants, particularly those with additional needs.
  
• Interest in the Arts & Environment: A genuine interest in the arts and environmental initiatives, including community gardening.
  
• Problem-Solving: Ability to address challenges and resolve issues that may arise in the coordination of volunteer activities.
  

Other Duties:

Applicants should demonstrate the following:

• Work flexibly across the LEVEL team where required
  
• Attend meetings and participate in training and other forms of staff development as required
  
• Events management when required
  
• Represent Level Centre externally when required
  
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the post
  

Personal qualities:

A hard-working, honest, dependable, self-motivated person, willing to uphold and support the aims and values of LEVEL Centre.

• Self motivated and able to work flexibly as part of a small team managing multiple priorities
  
• Able to work within tight deadlines whilst maintaining accuracy
  
• Highly efficient and able to maximise limited resources
  
• Shows initiative and has a proactive nature
  
• A real ‘can do’ attitude to fit in with a hard-working, enthusiastic and motivated team
  

Terms & Conditions:

LEVEL Centre: LEVEL Centre is a contemporary Arts Venue. The core business hours are Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm. There will be occasional activities that take place in the evenings and weekends. These hours will be discussed and agreed in advance and time off in lieu will be offered.

Equal opportunities
We are committed to achieving equal opportunities in the way we deliver services to the community and in our employment arrangements. We expect all employees to understand and promote this policy in their work.

Health and safety
All employees have a responsibility for their own health and safety and that of others when carrying out their duties and must help us to apply our general statement of health and safety policy.

Safeguarding Commitment
LEVEL Centre is committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of everyone and expects all staff, freelancers and volunteers to share this commitment. A satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) enhanced check will be required.

Salary: £23809.50 per annum, pro rata

Hours: 15 hours per week (2 days per week)
Occasional evening, weekend and bank holiday working may be required

Holiday: 10 days per year, plus bank holidays pro rata

Pension Scheme: The Company operates an auto enrolment pension scheme deferred for 3 months from joining the Company with Nest. The contributions to this scheme are in line with the current minimum requirement and are based on qualifying earnings. Further information can be found at www.nestpension.org.uk

Probation: Three months

Notice: One week during probationary period and 4 weeks thereafter

How to apply:

• Complete the online application form. Our website has Browsealoud toolbar software installed to make it more accessible- if you require any assistance please contact us on info@levelcentre.com
  
• Complete a covering statement outlining your suitability for the role.
• Upload your CV including two referees relating to a similar role.
• Complete the equal opportunities monitoring  form (optional). We positively encourage people with disabilities or from minority ethnic backgrounds to apply to join our teams as they are under-represented within Level Centre’s workforce. 

We are happy to accept your application in the following formats. Please clearly label your files with your name:

• Written statement that is no more than 2 sides of A4
• Video submission that is no longer than 5 minutes – BSL, Makaton or spoken
• Audio submission as an MP3 or WAV file, that is no longer than 5 minutes.

Application Deadline: Monday 27 January 2025 (9am)
Interviews: Monday 3/Tuesday 4 February 2025 (at LEVEL Centre)

We positively encourage people with disabilities or from minority ethnic backgrounds to apply to join our teams as they are under-represented within LEVEL Centre’s workforce. We guarantee to interview any candidate with a disability or from an ethnic minority background who meets the essential criteria for the role.