Work Party Leader (Garston Woods Work Party Leader)

RSPB reserves are special places for people and wildlife. We need volunteers to help keep the habitats, paths, benches and fences in good shape. This rewarding role offers the chance to meet new people and make a positive impact for nature. Right across the UK the RSPB manages woodlands and wetlands, heathlands and meadows. A real mosaic of different habitats that support a wide range of wildlife. We want to make sure they are special places for people too. We rely on volunteers to undertake practical work that keeps the habitats healthy and to help maintain the paths, benches and fences. It is work that never stops. RSPB Garston Woods is a unique Ancient Woodland in the heart of rural Dorset Farmland, home to a wide array of rare plant, insect and butterfly species. This ancient wood has been managed as coppiced hazel woodland for centuries, creating a special place for some magnificent wildlife, including Blackcap and Marsh tit, colourful wildflowers and small mammals such as Dormice. Careful management of rides and glades also make the woods particularly excellent for butterflies including some rarities like White Admiral, Purple Emperor and Silver washed Fritillary. It might seem like these wild places have always just been there. But we often have to work really hard to maintain habitats to be in the best condition for wildlife. We have lost a lot of wild landscapes over the years, so the small places that we do have need some extra care.

We need a Work Party Leader to help us deliver our conservation work, ensuring that our volunteer group carries out tasks correctly and safely.

As a Work Party Leader Volunteer you will:

• Work with the Assistant Warden to follow an approved management plan and organise volunteer work party activities.
• Ensure all the tools and equipment needed for a work party are available and in good condition.
• Follow relevant health and safety protocols and codes of practice to ensure work is carried out safely.
• Welcome and induct new work party volunteers, as well as supporting in their recruitment process.
• Be the main point of contact for volunteers and provide direction and support as needed.
• Carry out practical tasks such as coppicing, fence repairs and ride/glade management alongside volunteers and staff.

Full training and support will be provided but we are looking for people with skills and experience in the following areas:

Essential:

• Good leadership and organisational skills.
• Excellent listener and communicator.
• Willingness to direct a team of people so that they feel fully informed, supported and included.
• Good attention to detail.
• Be comfortable reading and implementing risk assessment requirements.
• Experience using computer programmes such as Outlook and word processing software.
• May require some diplomacy skills on occasion.

Beneficial:

• Some previous experience in practical work may be beneficial, however the Work Party Leader we are looking for acknowledges the different perspectives thoughts and ideas within the team and encourages an open and collaborative approach to problem-solving. You do not need to be a wildlife or nature expert to do this role.

If you enjoy being outdoors, then this role could be the perfect opportunity for you. This role will involve a reasonable amount of physical activity, so will enable you to keep your fitness levels high, as well as helping your mental health and wellbeing. You will be making a genuine contribution to nature conservation, and you might find it rewarding to safeguard nature in the area you are working to protect. We are a friendly and supportive team, so you might make new friends too. If you are volunteering to learn new skills and gain knowledge about wildlife conservation work, our team will be more than happy to help you on that journey. In this role you will be helping others to succeed, especially as you induct and train volunteers who are looking to gain skills, which can be extremely rewarding.