Volunteering

Thank-you for your interest in Volunteering at Puffing Billy Railway.

After you have acknowledged our FAQ’s, you can complete an Expression of Interest on our website. A member of our Volunteer Services Team will call you within 5 business days and conduct a short telephone interview. This will provide you with the opportunity to ensure that PBR is a good fit for you.

It is essential that all PBR volunteers have the language, literacy and numeracy skills sufficient to successfully participate as a Safety Ambassador for our visitors, passengers, staff and other volunteers.

Through the telephone interview, you will have to demonstrate these 3 core skills to progress to the next phase.

Puffing Billy Railway is always looking for enthusiastic members of the public to volunteer with us. You will need to be over 18 and have a desire to assist with the operation and safe running of the Railway. Puffing Billy Railway is a fully operating railway and volunteers will need to be physically fit.

Volunteering is a two-way relationship that should benefit both the volunteer and Puffing Billy Railway. The tasks that the volunteer performs should be meaningful and satisfying, and not need to be repeated by another volunteer to correct or amend them.

We encourage and value diversity in our volunteer program and look at each volunteer’s skills on an individual basis. Our focus is on what a person can do, rather than what they cannot do. However, it is important that the volunteer be able to perform inherent requirements of a specific role (as listed in the Volunteer Role Descriptions), unsupervised and in a safe manner.

Please refer to the volunteering roles listed above to see the roles that are currently available. These roles are updated regularly.

Puffing Billy Railway’s primary concern is the health and safety of its staff, volunteers, visitors, and subcontractors.  Many positions available will involve strenuous and physically challenging activities, so a certain level of fitness is required to undertake these roles. You can discuss this with our Volunteer Services Team to determine your suitability for a role.

PBR needs to be aware if a prospective Volunteer has a condition or health restriction that may place a limitation on their desired role within the organisation. By being aware of any condition or health restriction, PBR can avoid placing the Volunteer in a role or task that is unsuited to your situation. PBR also reserves the right to request an external medical assessment to be done if necessary.

There are no costs involved with the Pathway, process and training with us here at PBR.  If you are engaged in a role that requires a specific uniform, this would be a cost to the volunteer.

Our volunteers are crucial to the safe and continuing operation of Puffing Billy Railway. Volunteers are expected to commit to a minimum of 2 shifts per month, maybe more depending on the role. Shifts can vary in length depending on the role.

We understand that our volunteers have other commitments outside of the railway. Shifts can be during weekdays, weekends and public holidays. If for some reason you cannot attend a shift, it is important to contact your Roster Officer or Supervisor to inform them so they can make alternate arrangements.

The volunteer recruitment process commences with a short phone interview with a member of our Volunteer Services Team. This provides you with the opportunity to ensure that PBR is a good fit for you.

 Yes – all of our volunteers are required to undergo a National Criminal History Check and provide a current Working with Children Check and References Checks. We will also complete any additional suitability screening we deem appropriate. If there are any other formal background checks required for the volunteer role you are interested in, you will be informed of this upon applying for the role.

 You do not need any prior qualifications to volunteer at PBR as all training in provided.

Puffing Billy Railway is committed to the training and development of all of our volunteers.  We offer formal training for all our positions and ensure our volunteers are aware of the safety requirements of working on an operating Railway.  Further training may be required for certain positions and will be provided. Training can vary depending on the role selected.

Volunteering is an opportunity to meet new friends, learn new skills, achieve personal goals and be part of an historical tourism icon. It is also an opportunity to give back to the community and often involve family and friends. Other benefits include:

• Volunteer recognition events;
• Product discounts;
• Free parking;
• A sense of achievement and personal satisfaction.

Puffing Billy Railway advertises positions vacant on our website with information of the roles and directions of how to apply.

If you decide you would like to apply to become a volunteer with Puffing Billy Railway you can complete an Expression of Interest.

After submitting the form, a member of our Volunteer Services Team will contact you within 5 business days.

Please note, applying with us is the beginning of our selection process. You will need to meet certain criteria for your application to be successful. Puffing Billy reserves the right to refuse any unsuitable applicants.