PBEM Volunteer Position Descriptions/Standard Position Description Template

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Type in red on this template is guidance text. The final version of a position description should have all red text deleted (and possibly replaced with content). Text in black should remain in the position description (except replace "X"'s with the appropriate text).

A Volunteer Support Function (VSF) is a functional area under which volunteers carry out their responsibilities. Each VSF is broken into position assignments. VSF XX.XX.XX is the position assigned to XXXXXXXX.

Summary

Provide a two to five sentence summary of the volunteer position description. Guiding questions writing this might include: Why do we have this position? What need does it fulfill? Think in terms of purpose.

Blue Skies/Grey Skies Summary
During Blue Skies, these volunteers...	During Grey Skies, these volunteers...
What will these volunteers be doing during Blue Skies? Training? Outreach? Other responsibilities?	What will these volunteers do in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, during the response phase of a disaster? Not all volunteers necessarily have a role in response...some volunteers are committed only to Blue Skies activities, like community outreach.

Related Volunteer Positions

Use this section to list any other volunteer positions that have a direct bearing on this one (if any). To complete this section, think of the chain of command for the volunteer.

VSF XX.XX.XX

VSF XX.XX.XX

VSF XX.XX.XX

Responsibilities

Use bullet points to indicate the key responsibilities these volunteers have. Think in terms of outcomes for the volunteer, and link those outcomes back to the responsibilities needing fulfillment in order to achieve those outcomes. The last three responsibilities are key to any volunteer position description.

• Responsibility 1
• Responsibility 2
• Responsibility 3
• Responsibility 4 (etc)
• Participate in scheduled training, drills, and activation exercises to maintain operational competence.
• Represent PBEM professionally and follow safety and operational guidelines at all times.
• Log all volunteer hours.

Position ID

VSF XX.XX.XX: XXXXXXXXX

The position ID indicates which VSF a position is assigned to, what subsection of the VSF, and the position's formal title.

Mission Area

Preparedness

Response

Recovery

Indicates whether the position has a disaster preparedness role, a response role, a recovery role, or a combination of those three on the Disaster Management Cycle. For example, someone confirmed to provide mental health first aid would have a response role. However, those skills are also needed during the Recovery phase of a disaster.

It is important to note that this portion of the Position Description does not commit a volunteer to a specific part of the Disaster Management Cycle. It only indicates what the possibilities are. In this example, "Response" is the only mission area this volunteer position is active in...Preparedness and Recovery are greyed out.

Lead Agency	This is almost always PBEM, but there are occasional exceptions. Please ask PBEM if you're not sure.
Active NET Required?	The majority of volunteer position descriptions are open to ATVs. Whether or not the one you are working on is should be clearly indicated in the VSF Directory.
Structure	Describes the position describes span of control and chain of command for the volunteer position.
Relevant Knowledge, Skills, Abilities	A list of ideal qualities and knowledge that a candidate for the volunteer position possesses. However, the purpose of listing them is to give volunteers a better idea of the expectations associated with the role. They are not intended as prescriptive.
Licenses and Certifications	Any licenses or certifications required OR recommended for this volunteer position.
Currency	"Currency" means how often they need to renew training or certifications, and/or contact with their team or team leader. In other words, indicates how often a volunteer must renew training and/or knowledge in order to be deployable in this volunteer position. All position descriptions should also include: Required to complete a criminal background check at PBEM's expense every three years."
Physical Requirements	More detailed knowledge on the physical expectations associated with completing the position's key responsibilities.
Task Book	If a task book is available for this volunteer position, it will be linked here. Not every position has a task book.
PPE and Recommended Equipment	Any required personal protective equipment (PPE) associated with deploying in this volunteer position, and any relevant equipment that facilitates completing volunteer responsibilities.
Forms	Forms that a volunteer in the position should be familiar with and know how to complete.
Updated	Indicates by date the last time anything in the position description was changed.
Released	Indicates by date when the position was first released and published.

Training for VSF XX.XX.XX: XXXXXXXXX

Important note: ONLY the trainings listed as REQUIRED are required! Optional training and supplemental resources are presented as a path for a volunteer to increase their knowledge and confidence carrying out their volunteer responsibilities. However, no volunteer's Active status depends on completing training marked as "Optional" or "Supplemental". For more information, please visit the article on Position Descriptions: Training Section.

Training or Resource	Type	Delivery	Duration	Learning Objective
	Required
	Optional

VSF XX.XX.XX: XXXXXXXXX Knowledge Base

File/Resource	Description	Author	Publish Date