Volunteer Role Outline
Role TitleIsle of Wight Reserves Volunteer Placement
Location
Based at Bouldnor, Yarmouth
Times, days and frequency we’d like you to be available
4 days a week from May to October 2015 (potential to extend).
HIWWT Manager/Supervisor
Reserves Officer IOW
Purpose of role
To assist the Reserves Officer in delivering management on the Trust nature reserves and partner sites on the Isle of Wight.
The Reserves Volunteer Placement will support the Reserves team with the practical delivery of habitat conservation work on at the Trusts reserves on the Isle of Wight. One of the key aims will be to demonstrate excellent land management for biodiversity and people on reserves. You will have an opportunity to work on a wide variety of habitat types over an ever expanding suite of reserves offering the candidate an opportunity to learn and develop their skills.
Basic training will be provided but applicants with relevant training certification are preferred. Only suitable for those of a practical nature who are physically fit and willing to work out of doors. Personal drive and enthusiasm for nature conservation will be essential to your time with us.
Tasks involved in this role
Support the Assistant Reserves Officer with the following:
· Practical habitat and estate work to assist in delivering the Trust’s work programme e.g. fencing, access work and scrub cutting.
· Assisting with monitoring and surveys,
· Maintenance tasks, specifically maintaining the tools, tool stores and workshops in a safe and tidy condition
· Coordination and running of volunteer work parties
· Carrying out site/task risk assessments
· Assisting other staff in the IOW team.
You will be required to
· Conduct all reserve estate work to agreed quality standards
· Abide by Trust procedures and policies, in particular Health & Safety and Equal Opportunities
Skills and abilities required
Essential:
· Basic competence and experience in the use of hand tools.
· Ability and experience of working as part of a team with initiative and self-motivation.
· A working knowledge of wildlife and natural history that informs the management tasks you will be involved in.
Desirable:
· Certified training and experience in the use of power-tools such as Chainsaw, Brushcutter,
· Full UK driving license an advantage.
· Certified training and experience in the use of Tractor, All-terrain-vehicle.
· Experience or training relevant skills such as species surveying or animal management.
Please note: Relevant training certification would be an advantage.
Specific considerations
· This is a voluntary placement and as such is unpaid.
· Approved costs incurred by travelling for the role (excluding commuting to place of work) and other approved expenses will be payable by the Trust.
· Accommodation is not included.
· The volunteer will be asked to make a significant commitment to volunteering with the Trust over the six-month period (ideally 4 days per week), but the specific details of this commitment will be negotiable. A degree of flexibility will be required as some tasks may be weather dependent.
· This particular role is suited to candidates with ambition to progress towards a career in conservation, land or animal management
· Due to the nature of the role this opportunity is offered to over 18s only.
What’s in it for you?
· An opportunity to gain valuable hands on experience of reserve and livestock management
· On the job training estate management and species surveying to enable you to undertake the role
· External mandatory training such as first aid if considered essential to the role
· An opportunity to find out more about one of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight’s leading conservation charity
· Opportunity to spend time exploring the reserves and applying and extending your knowledge of habitats and wildlife
Created/updated
26/03/15 / End date (if applicable)
September (potential to extend)