Residential on Reserve (More than 4 weeks) (Community Engagement and Volunteer Management Placement at RSPB St Aidan’s & Fairburn Ings)

The Aire Valley reserves of St Aidan’s Nature Park and Fairburn Ings Reserve are wonderful wetland nature havens only a short distance from city life in Leeds and Wakefield. The reserves are home to a host of breeding species including Spoonbills, Black-necked Grebes, Bitterns, Cattle Egrets, Bearded Tits and Black-headed Gulls.

Commitment

3 months over this summer. Exact start dates are flexible. Currently recruiting for immediate start.

What you will be doing

We are looking for a friendly and enthusiastic Residential Volunteer to assist our Community Engagement Officer and Volunteer Coordinator across the Aire Valley, at RSPB Fairburn Ings, and RSPB St Aidan’s. This placement will have a people engagement focus and will involve some working with young people.

Volunteers can expect training and experience in a broad range of skills including the following:

• Working with the Community Engagement Officer to create, plan, and deliver community engagement events onsite at RSPB St Aidan’s.

• Support offsite community engagement events and outreach activities.

• Work with the Community Engagement Officer to help manage, expand, and develop the Community Engagement and Ranger Volunteer Team.

• Provide support to the work of the Community Engagement Officer.

• Work closely with the Volunteer Coordinator to help develop a bespoke training programme for volunteer development across the Aire Valley.

• Support volunteer recruitment at site open days and offsite engagement events.

• Assist with the marketing of volunteer roles and community engagement events.

• Provide support to the work of the Volunteer Coordinator.

• Become a point of contact for volunteers regarding the use of Assemble (our online volunteer platform).

• Contribute to the wider reserve operations as and when required.

• This role will require some weekend and evening working.

What’s in it for you

You will be joining a great team working for nature in the Aire Valley, getting first-hand experience of the environmental charity sector. During your stay you will play a key role connecting people to nature and will gain a wealth of experience in community engagement and volunteer management skills, working alongside experienced staff and volunteers.

This placement is for up to 3 months and free accommodation and utilities are provided in the village of Fairburn for the whole of your placement. Due to the isolated nature of Fairburn village access to your own transport would be essential.

Requirements

• 18+.

• We need a flexible volunteer, who is keen to assist with all areas of the work, with an enthusiasm for wildlife and a passion for the RSPB’s work.

• Friendly and approachable with an ability to engage with a wide range of people face to face.

• Comfortable working outside in all weather conditions.

• Happy to work alone and as part of a team.

• Willingness to work flexibly.

• Ability to think creatively.

• Confident using a range of computer programs including Word and Excel.

• Experience using social media platforms.

Deadline

Applications will be short listed and successful candidates will be invited to an interview.

Notes

For information on the role, sites and accommodation offered, please contact Jo Lee on 07719079221 or email joanna.lee@rspb.org.uk

In line with our Safeguarding Policy, the successful applicant for this role will be subject to an appropriate Disclosure check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (England and Wales), AccessNI in Northern Ireland, or a Protected Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG) registration in Scotland.

Please note that this role does not offer experience in habitat management, wildlife surveys or reserve maintenance. There is no charge to take part in the scheme. It is your responsibility to cover the cost of your transport to and from the reserve, and to provide and cover the cost of your food during your stay. The RSPB will provide accommodation, together with basic services, free of charge for the period you are volunteering, and cover any expenses incurred as a necessary part of your work on the reserve.