When establishing the paid staff/ volunteer ratio, consideration should be given to:

• Nature of the project
• Age range of volunteers - if this is relevant to the tasks to be undertaken
• Level of direct supervision required
• Health and Safety
• Complexity of tasks
• Skill levels required
• Skill and experience of volunteers
• Skill and experience of program or project supervisor in managing people

Acknowledgment: NSW Department of Environment and Conservation.

Ideally each work session should have a designated staff supervisor with responsibility for the management of volunteers and the completion of organisational reporting.

If a supervisor cannot be present at each work session, a volunteer may be identified to represent a larger group for the purpose of administration (getting attendance records signed), communication (passing on information and work tasks for the day) and allocating tools and equipment.

In some organisations, leaders of volunteer groups have a separate job description as they hold additional responsibilities to most other volunteers.