RSPB Team Member (Resource library admin)

Are you passionate about urban wildlife? Would you like to help support and inform our team?

Join the largest UK conservation charity to support those helping to save nature and make a difference to where we live. If you have a mind for filing and cataloguing documents in an orderly, succinct manner, this will be just the role you’re looking for

We are seeking someone with the ability to organise an extensive information resource library. This will be used by our advisors and others within RSPB to support their aim to make a difference to the nature and people that live in our villages, towns, and cities.

The ‘Urban Resource’ library is a collection mostly of open-source reports and information available primarily for staff in Business Conservation Advice (BCA) team, but also others within RSPB to support their work. It is set up as a series of folders and sub-folders but due to its extensive nature it is not easy to navigate for those wishing to use it.

This can be a two-part project. Initially you will be responsible for reviewing the layout of the resources folders and contents. You will consider how best they may be consolidated into an orderly and easy to access resource and then create a user friendly ‘site map’ hyper-linked to the documents. This may be an Excel file or, if you wish to carry out some further research, an alternative software application that can automatically catalogue and link to the documents for you. Your role will also include liaising with our IT department on software compatibility.

Throughout early development you will liaise with the resource owner to convene Teams meetings to discuss each stage with the resource owner and key BCA leads to gain feedback and guidance on proposals.

A second phase of the project will be to move files from an older, similar directory into the new system. If you’re interested in the urban environment and want to know and understand what can make it better for people and wildlife this will be just for you. You will have access to open resource documents you might otherwise not be aware of. You will have the opportunity to learn about the built environment and understanding of some terminology you may hear such as Nature-based Solutions, Sustainable Drainage, Ecosystem Services and many more.

You will be part of the Conservation Business Advice Team and can attend team meetings, and site visits where appropriate. You will have the chance (if comfortable with) to present and explain to the team how the resource is laid out and how you would like it used.

This may also help develop skills to support your community in producing neighbourhood plans and responding to planning applications.

Free access and parking to RSPB reserves and 20% off from the RSPB shop. A fantastic opportunity to develop your volunteering with the RSPB and contribute to our Saving Nature strategy by taking on this role, knowing you’re making a real difference.

Where relevant, volunteers can be given career guidance and advice about which professional societies to join such as CIEEM if appropriate. You will also be encouraged to make use of your access to RSPB’s extensive online training resources (iLearn) to help build up your CV and record your activities with us as part of your career professional development. This includes access to our online resources about improving your CV.

Eligible for the RSPB Assistance programme - A person’s wellbeing is important to us at the RSPB, all our volunteers have access to the assistance program, and we also have staff trained as mental health first aiders.

Self-motivation is important as you will work from home using your own initiative and with access to a computer. Support will of course be available to help navigate any problems.

You will need good organisational skill, attention to detail and confidence to create folders and move files and documents between folders. The aim is for the structure and content of the final product to be easily accessible to those needing to use it. Therefore, you will need to be a good communicator with key stakeholders and able to present your ideas going forward.

You must be familiar with Microsoft Office programmes such as Excel, with the ability of using it to produce a ‘site map’ of the resource and create hyperlinks to the listed documents. You will also need to be able to use Teams as a meeting platform, and communicate directly on a 1:1 basis with the project lead.

The role is flexible to suit personal circumstances for just a few hours a week. Ideally, we would like more time initially to get the project running. Once set-up, less time will be required.