Work Party Leader (Dorset Reserves)

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 kinds of habitats for 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 in good shape and to help maintain the paths and benches and fences. It is work that never stops. We need a work party leader to ensure that our volunteer group undertakes the right work at the right time and does this safely.

We are looking for Volunteer Work Party Leaders to join our reserve teams in Dorset – chiefly Radipole & Lodmoor, a wildlife haven amongst the hustle and bustle of Weymouth; but may also be opportunities at Arne, a flagship Reserve made up of beautiful lowland heathland; and Garston Wood, a small pocket of gorgeous ancient woodland. As Work Party Leader Volunteer you will: • Follow an annual management plan to plan activities. • Be responsible for tool use, care and security • Follow relevant health and safety protocols and codes of practice • Ensure volunteers understand tasks and how to work safely • Welcome and induct new volunteers • Be the main point of contact for volunteers and support as needed • Take advantage of benefits including: claiming volunteering-related expenses, receiving training (leadership, first aid, relevant machinery, etc.), use of our fleet vehicles and public liability/personal accident cover.

It might seem like these wild places have always just been there. But quite often we have to work really hard to maintain habitats to be in the best condition for wildlife. We have lost a lot of wild landscapes, so the small places that we do have, need a bit of extra care.

As a Work Party Leader Volunteer you will:

• Follow an annual management plan and work with the site manager to plan 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.
• Ensure all volunteers understand the task and how to complete it safely.
• Welcome and induct new volunteers.
• Be the main point of contact for volunteers throughout the work party session and give direction and support as needed.

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

• Essential.
• Leadership skills.
• Excellent listener and communicator.
• Willingness to direct a team of people so that they feel fully informed, supported and included.
• May require some diplomacy skills on occasion.
• Good attention to detail.
• Well organised and methodical in approach.
• Be comfortable reading and implementing risk assessment requirements.

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, you will find that 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, this can be extremely rewarding.