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Manager of Volunteer Resources

Managers of volunteer resources research, develop, and manage volunteer programs. They provide leadership in effectively engaging volunteers and community to further the missions of not-for-profit, voluntary, and public sector organizations.

Also Known As

Advisor of Volunteer Programs, Coordinator of Volunteer Programs, Manager of Volunteers, Program Leader

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 4212: Community and Social Service Workers

2006 NOC-S

  • E212: Community and Social Service Workers

2011 NOC

  • 4212: Social and community service workers

2016 NOC

  • 4212: Social and community service workers

2021 NOC

  • 42201: Social and community service workers

2023 OaSIS

  • 42201.00: Social and community service workers
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2025

Managers of volunteers are responsible for volunteer involvement within their organizations. They oversee volunteer engagement within their organization. Engagement includes:

  • Attracting and retaining volunteers with the same interests and values as the organization
  • Helping volunteers understand the organization’s mission and goals, and the community they serve
  • Providing meaningful opportunities for volunteers to contribute so their needs, the community’s needs, and the organization’s needs are met
  • Holding colleagues accountable for working with and supporting volunteers
  • Holding volunteers accountable for fulfilling their responsibilities and commitments

Much of a manager of volunteer resources’ work involves supporting staff who interact with volunteers and demonstrating the rewards of volunteer efforts through statistics and testimonials. They support a collaborative work environment and help staff and volunteers work together. Managers of volunteer resources often work closely with an organization’s executive director, chief executive officer (CEO), or board of directors.

In general, managers of volunteer resources influence opportunities for volunteer contributions and engagement to meet organizational needs. They then match volunteers with opportunities to share their time and talents.

Managers of volunteer resources:

  • Create and implement volunteer recruitment strategies
  • Research, develop, and lead volunteer programs
  • Influence and champion opportunities for volunteer involvement
  • Work to incorporate volunteers as a vital component of the organization’s human resources
  • Create and maintain organizational policies related to volunteer engagement
  • Design roles and write job descriptions and project contracts for volunteers
  • Design and implement orientation and training programs for volunteers
  • Recruit, interview, select, and evaluate volunteers
  • Maintain file management of volunteer records
  • Create policies and implement risk-management strategies
  • Develop and implement volunteer recognition programs and activities
  • Market the volunteer program to ensure staff and the public understand the impact of volunteer involvement
  • Educate and train staff members about working with volunteers
  • Supervise volunteers or the support staff who supervise volunteers, holding staff supervisors accountable for volunteer engagement
  • Evaluate volunteer programs
  • Collect statistics (qualitative and quantitative) and ensure the reports are shared
  • Source and write funding proposals
  • Manage volunteer program budgets
  • Stay current on trends and initiatives to ensure effective, relevant volunteer engagement
  • Actively participate in training and opportunities for learning
  • Establish relationships with organizations and colleagues to share and implement best practices managing volunteer resources
  • Collaborate with partner organizations to leverage opportunities to work together and strengthen volunteerism in the community
Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2025
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

Most managers of volunteer resources work in offices. They may need to travel to meetings during the day and to activities or events during evenings or weekends. They may juggle volunteer management with other roles in the same organization.

Work Personalities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

How This Occupation Compares to Your Work Personalities

Fit
Fit Guide
An occupation can be a great, good, fair, weak, or poor fit for you.
S
Social
This occupation
You
C
Conventional
E
Enterprising
This occupation
You

This Occupation’s Work Personalities

Your Work Personalities

Quick Guide

Alis work personalities are based on Holland’s theory. It identifies 6 personality types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. People with similar personalities and interests will tend to pursue similar careers. They are likely to create work environments that are favourable to their type.

Most people will identify with 2 or 3 dominant personalities. If the occupation’s personalities match your more dominant types, this occupation is more likely to be satisfying and rewarding to you.

This Occupation’s Work Personalities lists the personalities most likely to be found in that occupation. They are listed in order of importance, with 1 as the most important.

Your Work Personalities shows where the occupation’s personalities rank within your test results. Rank 1 is your most dominant type and 6 is your least dominant.

Learn about work personalities

Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Social and community service workers
2023 OaSIS: 42201.00

How This Occupation Compares to Your Abilities

The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.

The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.

The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Abilities Sets

The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.

Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.

Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.

This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Numbers and Patterns

Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.

This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Physical Activity

Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance. 

This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Mind-Body Coordination

Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Senses

Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking. 

This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Quick Guide

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Occupations use different combinations and levels of these abilities. The Abilities Quiz helps you learn more about your ability levels and which occupations match your strengths.

If you have completed the Abilities Quiz, you can compare the occupation’s ability expectations to your own ability scores. Your scores may be lower than, a match to, or higher than the occupation’s expected abilities.

Learn about abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2025

Managers of volunteer resources need:

  • A demonstrated commitment to volunteerism
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Organizational and administrative skills
  • Leadership and coaching skills
  • Initiative and the ability to pivot and reprioritize as needed
  • The ability to adjust communication to varying audiences
  • Excellent communication skills, including writing, negotiating, and public speaking
  • The ability to balance the organization’s needs with the volunteer’s needs and interests
  • Problem-solving and decision-making skills
  • Patience and tact in dealing with others
  • A tolerance for ambiguity
  • The ability to work alone or as part of a team
  • Project-management skills
  • Strategic mindset and collaborative spirit

They should enjoy working with and helping others, bringing together diverse interests, compiling information, and collaboration (both internal and external) for their organization. Thinking outside the box, innovative and inspiring problem-solving skills, and a desire to build a culture of belonging are essential.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Social and community service workers

2016 NOC: 4212

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 111 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Dec 30, 2024 and Oct 08, 2025.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Client focus
Flexibility
Excellent oral communication
Security and Safety: Criminal record check
Team player
Effective interpersonal skills
Initiative
Excellent written communication
Organized
Computer Systems: Own vehicle
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2025
  • Minimum Education Varies

Managers of volunteer resources come from a wide variety of educational backgrounds. They may have education or experience in volunteer management, education, human resource management, public relations, community development, marketing, recreation, social work, psychology, or project management. They also need computer skills and the following management abilities:

  • Interviewing skills
  • Training, coaching, team-building, and leadership skills
  • Planning and strategy skills
  • File-management and administration skills
  • Marketing skills
  • Conflict-resolution skills

Volunteer Alberta, Volunteer Centre of Calgary, ECVO, and similar organizations offer short non-credit courses related to volunteer management on an as-needed basis.

Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

British Columbia Institute of Technology
Mount Royal University

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2025
  • Certification Not regulated

Volunteer Management Professionals of Canada (VMPC) endorses the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration (CCVA)’s certification program (CVA). It is for individuals who:

  • Have at least 3 years of full-time experience (paid or unpaid), related to volunteer resources management or equivalent
  • Hold a current position with at least 30% of their time committed to volunteer resources management
  • Have documentation of related experience and pass the examination

CVA certification is not required by law. However, it helps legitimize and strengthen the profession. It also supports the work of volunteer engagement professionals within Canada and internationally.

For more information on the certification process, visit the CCVA website.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2025

Managers of volunteer resources work in not-for-profit, voluntary, and public sector organizations. These may include:

  • Human and social service agencies
  • Recreation and sport organizations
  • Cultural organizations
  • Schools and religious institutions
  • Healthcare institutions
  • Law, advocacy, and political organizations
  • Environmental organizations
  • International development organizations

Managers of volunteer resources may work on a part-time, full-time, or contract basis. They often work with small budgets. Most entry level positions are for administrators or coordinators, while senior positions are for managers. Advancement depends on the nature of the organization and the manager’s experience and qualifications.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Social and community service workers
2016 NOC: 4212

77.9% of people in this occupational group work in:

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Social and community service workers
2021 NOC: 42201
Cool
Job Market
26,500
Employed in AB

Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Social and community service workers
2016 NOC: 4212
2.0%
Annual Growth
(Below average)
336
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2025

Salaries for managers with full-time, paid positions vary. In general, the highest salaries are in the public sector.

For information about current collective agreements in the public and not-for-profit sectors, see the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Social and community service workers

2021 NOC: 42201
Average Wage
$25.52
Per Hour
Average Salary
$42,534.00
Per Year
Average Hours
31.8
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
11.8
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2023 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 42201 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

A: High Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $15.50 $36.96 $22.61 $20.39
Overall $16.74 $46.35 $25.52 $22.11
Top $19.95 $48.41 $28.55 $24.55

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Information, Culture, Recreation
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
Educational Services
Health Care & Social Assistance
Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related)
Public Administration

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
57%
57%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
41%
41%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
6%
6%
Vacancy Rate
5%
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Business, Management and Administrative Studies
  • Communications
  • Education and Library Studies
  • Social Sciences, Law and Religious Studies
  • Social, Community and Protective Services
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2025

Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration (CCVA) website: cvacert.org

Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website: hsaa.ca

Volunteer Centre of Calgary website: www.volunteerconnector.org/calgary/volunteercalgary

Volunteer Alberta website: volunteeralberta.ab.ca

ECVO website: www.ecvo.ca/what-we-do/volunteerism

Volunteer Management Professionals of Canada (VMPC) website: www.vmpc.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 31, 2025. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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