Job Description

- Volunteer Coordinator

Organisation:

Blyth Tall Ship

Location:

South Harbour Premises, Blyth, Northumberland

Salary:

25,000?per?annum

Contract:

Full?Time, 12?month fixed term (extension subject to funding)

Reporting to:

Chief Executive Officer

Direct reports:

Volunteer Team Leaders (voluntary)

This role is funded by the UK shared Prosperity Fund via the North East Combined Authority and is supported by the Northumberland Inclusive Economy Community Partnership

About Blyth Tall Ship

Blyth Tall Ship is a Northumberland?based maritime heritage charity committed to restoring historic vessels, safeguarding traditional seafaring skills, and widening access to high?quality training and volunteering. Each year our 100+ volunteers--aged 16?to?80 and drawn from coastal, ex?mining, and rural communities--contribute over 11,000 hours to ship restoration, outreach, boat?building, sailing, education, well being and visitor engagement. Our goal is to create transformational experiences that improve confidence, wellbeing, and employability while celebrating Blyth's proud Antarctic exploration story.

Role Purpose

The Volunteer Coordinator will design and drive a comprehensive volunteer programme that attracts, supports, and celebrates a diverse volunteer workforce. Working across restoration workshops, heritage interpretation, fundraising events, and sail training voyages, the post?holder will ensure volunteers have a safe, inclusive, and rewarding experience that aligns with Blyth Tall Ship's strategic aims and maritime safety standards.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Programme Development

Refresh and deliver a three?year volunteer strategy with clear KPIs for recruitment, retention, diversity, and skills progression. Embed Blyth Tall Ship values--Safety, Inclusion, Heritage, Ambition*--into all volunteer policies and practices.

Recruitment & Onboarding

Lead targeted outreach campaigns in schools, colleges, community centres, and veteran networks. Manage end?to?end onboarding: role descriptions, application screening, reference checks, DBS processing, and tailored inductions.

Training & Development

Create modular training pathways (bronze/silver/gold) covering workshop skills, visitor engagement, safeguarding, and leadership.

Volunteer Support & Welfare

Operate as Designated Safeguarding Lead for volunteers, responding to welfare concerns and incident reports. Facilitate an anonymous feedback mechanism.

Communication & Recognition

Support the production of volunteer comms including a quarterly newsletter social media spotlights, and an annual awards event. Coordinate social events that build cross?team cohesion and celebrate maritime heritage.

Data Management & Reporting

Maintain the volunteer CRM ensuring GDPR compliance, accurate hours logging, and skills audits. Prepare quarterly impact dashboards for trustees and funders, highlighting volunteer?led outputs and social value.

Cross?Team Collaboration

Work closely with the Shipwright, Wellbeing Coordinator, and Community Volunteer leads to match volunteer skillsets to project needs. Represent Blyth Tall Ship at regional volunteer coordinator forums and heritage sector conferences.

Health, Safety & Compliance

Champion a safety?first culture in workshops and during sailing voyages, ensuring risk assessments are current and volunteers receive appropriate PPE. Keep up?to?date with legislation and best practice: Charity Governance Code, National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) guidance, and Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) regulations.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Candidates

must

demonstrate:

Substantial volunteer management experience

(paid or voluntary) within a charity, heritage, or community setting, overseeing volunteers.

Proven ability to design and deliver inclusive recruitment campaigns

that engage under?represented groups (e.g., young people not in education, employment or training; veterans; women in STEM trades).

Strong safeguarding knowledge

and willingness to act as Designated Safeguarding Lead; understanding of adult and child protection, safer recruitment, and confidentiality protocols.

Excellent interpersonal and motivational skills

with the confidence to supervise mixed?ability teams in dynamic workshop and archive environments.

Training design and facilitation expertise,

including assessing learning needs, writing lesson plans, and evaluating outcomes.

Robust administrative competence

: CRM/database management, GDPR compliance, volunteer rota scheduling, and KPI reporting.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)

and a track record of embedding inclusive practice.

Flexible availability,

including some evenings and weekends, plus willingness to accompany volunteers on day sails and occasional offshore voyages.

Right to work in the UK

and ability to secure an enhanced DBS certificate.

Desirable Criteria

The following will strengthen an application:

Sector?specific knowledge

of heritage, charity or tourism.

Relevant professional qualification

(e.g., ILM Level?3 Award in Volunteer Management; NVQ Advice & Guidance).

First Aid at Work; Mental Health First Aid.

Experience in policy writing

(volunteer handbooks, risk assessments).

Familiarity with Northumberland communities, schools, and referral agencies

to strengthen local partnerships.

Fundraising or event?management experience

supporting income targets through volunteer?driven activities.

Benefits of Working with Us

Join an award?winning maritime heritage charity creating real social change on the North?East coast. 25?days annual leave plus public holidays. Flexible working options and time?off?in?lieu for weekend duties. Friendly, collaborative team culture.

Application Process

Please send a CV

and

a covering letter (maximum two pages) explaining how you meet the essential and desirable criteria to

siobhan@blythtallship.co.uk

.

Closing date:

12?noon on 23rd July?2025

Interviews:

Week commencing 28th July 2025 (in person at South Harbour, Blyth).
For an informal conversation about the role, contact Siobhan Sargeant, CEO, Siobhan@blythtallship.co.uk.

Blyth Tall Ship is an equal opportunities employer. We warmly welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities and are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments required to support your application.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a sufficient number of suitable applications.

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract, Volunteer
Contract length: 12 months

Pay: 25,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Company events Company pension Free parking On-site parking
Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 23/07/2025
Reference ID: BTS/VC