CITY OF PHILADELPHIA PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT

2J59
VOLUNTEER SERVICES ASSISTANT

Specialties
( General ) (Park Environmental Services )

GENERAL DEFINITION

This is technical work assisting in the development, coordination, and management of a comprehensive departmental volunteer services program.

Employees in this class participate in recruiting, training and evaluating volunteers for a variety of departmental functions. Employees in the park environmental services specialty perform work specifically for volunteer groups engaged in sustaining and restoring natural environmental areas and parks within the city. Monitoring the operation of volunteer programs to assure that volunteers and volunteer organizations are in compliance with departmental regulations and that departmental needs are being met, and working closely with community groups, volunteer agencies, and individual volunteers to implement volunteer programs are significant aspects of the work. Work is performed under the direction of a higher level administrator.

ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)

Employees in this class must assist in the development, coordination and management of a comprehensive departmental volunteer services program.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)

FOR BOTH SPECIALTIES

Participates in the recruitment, evaluation, selection and training of volunteers for departmental volunteer programs; speaks to community groups and service organizations to inform them of departmental volunteer programs and to encourage them to provide services for these programs.
Interviews interested volunteers to determine their aptitudes, abilities, experience, and other qualifications; orients volunteers and informs them of departmental rules and regulations; conducts tours of facilities for students and other volunteers; answers questions of volunteers on departmental operations.
Monitors volunteer performance to determine if they are providing the services for which they were selected; recommends to volunteers methods or procedures that will enhance the effectiveness of the volunteer program.
Prepares volunteer services newsletter; prepares and coordinates volunteer articles for publication describing the various departmental volunteer programs; coordinates volunteer recognition ceremony/program; selects nominees for volunteer awards or recognition program.
Maintains records of active and potential volunteers; prepares written reports on volunteer service projects or activities; maintains contact with various volunteer organizations.
Performs related work as required.

FOR THE PARK ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES SPECIALTY:

Performs the above duties specifically related to sustaining and restoring environmental areas with the City's municipal part system, including reclamation, re-planting, removal of invasive plants and trash.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

the functions and techniques of volunteer work programs
community and service organizations, colleges and universities, and other sources of volunteer workers
methods and techniques used in preparing newsletters and other public informational media
interviewing methods and practices
principles and practices of urban environmental management and conservation for the park environmental services specialty.

SKILL IN:

speaking effectively before public groups

ABILITY TO:

learn departmental rules and regulations
assess needs for volunteer services
conduct interviews and recruit qualified volunteers
prepare volunteer articles and reports for publication
learn the community resources and the local volunteer civic and social organizations
establish and maintain effective working relationships with volunteers, departmental personnel, community groups, and the general public
present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 10/02.)

EDUCATION

Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university.

AND

EXPERIENCE

FOR THE GENERAL SPECIALTY:

One year of paid experience implementing a volunteer services program involving community organizations and individuals.

FOR THE PARK ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES SPECIALTY:

One year of the above experience specifically involved in sustaining and restoring environmental areas within a large municipal park system.

Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Personnel Department and which has included the completion of two years of study in an accredited college or university as the educational minimum.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES

Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment, if required by work assignment.

PAY RANGE: EP14
Class Established: 11/83

Latest Spec. Revision:
CSC: 5/02, Ad Board: 10/02

CN/sb

END OF JOB CLASS SPECIFICATION - 2J59

2J59VOLUNTEER SERVICES ASSISTANT

2J59
VOLUNTEER SERVICES ASSISTANT