Volunteer Coordinator (Suffolk Turtle Dove foraging habitat survey project)

We are looking for a strong 'people person' with well-honed organisational skills to champion and coordinate an exciting new volunteer team that aims to survey Turtle Dove foraging plots across Turtle Dove friendly zones. Turtle Doves were once widespread and numerous but now their numbers are down to 2100 pairs in the UK. Research is still underway to understand their foraging habits better, so this really is a chance to make a difference for a species seeing a huge decline.

The Turtle Dove foraging habitat survey project is in development, we will need to recruit a team of volunteers that will undertake vegetation surveys of existing foraging plots to establish quality & accessibility. These findings can then be fed back to the landowners to inform management options. Do you have excellent communication & IT skills, and have a flare for organisation? By joining our team & assisting in running the volunteering group you will play an important role in helping us to help this iconic species.

Applicants with bird identification/botany skills would be very welcome, however these skills are NOT essential for this role. Training can be provided so you can understand the role of the surveyors you will be recruiting & supporting. This role can be carried out remotely, but knowledge of the local area would be an advantage. This is a year-round role with peaks in activity before & after the survey season which runs from May – August.

Volunteer Co-ordinators undertake a wide range of tasks, including:

• Dealing with queries from potential new volunteers who get in touch.
• Once started, being the first point of contact for our new volunteers and answering general queries.
• Lead on advertising new volunteer roles (on the RSPB and external websites, in the local community).
• Set up interviews with potential volunteers and assist with induction administration.
• Administrative tasks such as recording volunteer hours, registering new volunteers on our database, organising surveys, connecting volunteers with landowners, organising rotas and processing expenses claims.
• Championing the RSPBs annual volunteer engagement survey.
• Supporting the Turtle Dove Conservation Advisor with tasks related to habitat surveys such as training days & events.

We will provide all equipment that is needed for the role.

Beneficial skills for this role are:

• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• You need to be a great people person, friendly and approachable.
• Excellent telephone manner and written communication skills.
• An ability to lead/inspire others and work as part of a team.
• Creative and forward thinking.
• Computer literacy.
• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a small team.
• Excellent record keeper.
• Happy to work from home or office.
• Tact/diplomacy.

This is a chance to use your organisation skills creatively. You will be helping to build a new project that will highlight & monitor the locations & condition of suitable foraging opportunities for this secretive species. You will be part of a small and friendly team of staff and volunteers with opportunity to learn new skills and develop existing ones. There is chance to develop within the role and there may be opportunity to volunteer in other areas of the project.

You'd be helping us to ensure that volunteers have a rewarding and enjoyable time whilst contributing to valuable scientific data. This is a wonderful opportunity to make a genuine contribution to wildlife conservation.

Commitment from you:

Equivalent of 1-2days per week (flexible) and could be a role-share. There will be peaks either side of the survey season (May – August) and likely to be fewer hours during the rest of the year. We plan for the surveys to be repeated in future years; so if an opportunity to build, contribute and continue with a legacy of a worthwhile project inspires you – you’ll find satisfaction in this role.

Closing date: 14th February

Interviews: 20th – 22nd February

Role to start: Early March

Please contact Amy Primavera amy.primavera@rspb.org.uk or Eliza Leat eliza.leat@rspb.org.uk for an informal chat about the role or if you have any queries.