Volunteer Position Description Example - Risk Assessment And Policy Considerations

VOLUNTEER POSITION DESCRIPTION - EXAMPLE

Risk Assessment & Policy Considerations

This template supports volunteer position descriptions to include risk assessments and policy considerations. Aligning the various responsibilities of volunteer positions with potential risks

and related policies can inform the screening processes and the development and/or refinement of policies.

Head Coach for a Sports Organization

POSITION TITLE:

POSITION DETAILS

RISKS

POLICY

PURPOSE OF POSITION

• Coach works with minors (under 18) with limited supervision

What potential policies are required?

Teach fundamental skills of the sport to children. Adhere to the standards of coaching as outlined in

national standards. To instill a love of the sport, inspire youth, and teach sportsman-like conduct.

• Appropriate training and education is required in order to

• A policy is required around screening & recruitment

-> see 1.1

mitigate potential risks.

(specification for screening around high-risk positions)

DUTIES / ACTIVITIES

• Provide a safe environment for children (includes: checking equipment,

providing first aid, following organizational policies around risks, and reporting incidents)

• Coach is in a position of trust/authority; responsible for

• Obtaining consent for a third party reference and/ or

teaching the children about ethical sportsmanship and

Police Information/Vulnerable Sector Check

-> see 1.1A

• Teach the fundamental skills and ensure skills are developmentally appropriate to the age group.

conduct, often develops a close bond with children and has

• Schedule practice times and book venues

decision-making power

• Policy around the privacy and storage of screening

• Ensure all athletes and volunteers are registered to play.

documentation (including Vulnerable Sector Checks)

• Develop plans for season activities (includes lesson plans & yearly goals)

• Assist officials in determining inclement weather conditions to ensure safe play

• Children are often in a position of dependence upon the

Coach in relation to assessing conditions of play, for first aid,

• Potential policy around adherence to privacy legislation

• Support parents, staff, and players as needed

and assisting with equipment as required

(i.e. FOIP or PIPA)

CLIENT / PEOPLE SERVED

• Coach is in a position to assess potential risks; evaluating

• Potential policy around required volunteer certification

Youth under 18, all ages and skill sets

unsafe equipment, inclement weather, risk of play, etc.

LOCATION / SETTING

SAMPLE POLICIES

Recreation centres and local fields

1.1 To ensure a mutually beneficial experience for volunteers,

organization, and participants, all volunteers will be

TIME COMMITMENT

screened before they can be accepted and placed within

1 season (minimum commitment) / 3 season (maximum commitment)

the organization.

Average 5 hours a week: Practice times (3 hrs/week) & Planning (2 hrs/week)

Ongoing screening will be conducted through supervision,

SUPERVISION / TRAINING / ORIENTATION

evaluation, and feedback to ensure standards continue

Coach operates under minimal supervision and may be alone with the children during practice,

to be met by volunteers, within the organization, and

pre-game and post-game. Coach will be alone with children in the change rooms - before, during,

programs. Specific screening procedures will be dependent on

and after games/practices.

the particular position and outlined in the “Terms of Reference”.

OTHER DETAILS

• Required: current “Respect in Sport” certificate (First Aid training is an asset)

1.1A A Police Information Check/ Vulnerable Sector Check

• Must like children and be passionate about the sport with a desire to foster skills-development, a

may be used as one of the screening tools, if required, potential

volunteers must sign a consent form for requesting a Police

passion for the game, and inspire sportsman-like conduct

• Knowledge of teaching and age-appropriate lessons and skills development considered an asset

Information Check/ Vulnerable Sector Check