ENVIRONMENT TRUST FOR RICHMOND UPON THAMES

CONSERVATION PROJECT ASSISTANT (casual paid post)

Background

The Environment Trust for Richmond upon Thames (the Trust) is a well-established charity that has been operating for over 30 years, supporting the natural and built environment. We inspire a love of local places by creating events and projects that awaken curiosity in unexpected ways. Together we champion the ‘yesterday, today and tomorrow’ of our local area.

The post

The Conservation Project Assistant (CPA) would need to assist or run practical conservation volunteeringsessions. This would include corporate volunteering groups primarily but might also involve helping with local school volunteering programmes or volunteering events open to the general public.

This is an excellent opportunity to develop your skills and be part of an experienced grass roots environmental organisation.

Tasks

  • Preparing individual activities: Visiting sites; writing risk assessments; identifying required equipment and ensuring that this equipment is available on the day (either from the Trust’s own store or on loan from partner organisations).
  • Running individual activities: Collecting tools and transporting them to sites; providing volunteers with safety briefings, and advice on use of tools; explaining the purpose and the method of the activities; ensuring that work is completed to the land-owner’s requirements; returning all tools to storage and making sure that they are maintained in fit condition for future work.
  • Promoting environmental volunteering: Working with groups to ensure a positive experience. Taking photographs and getting feedback so that we can learn from sessions and increase awareness of our projects through blogs and social media.

Reporting

The CPA reports either directly to the Project Manager or to the General Manager if running a session.

Specification and experience required

A conservation or environmental qualification would be necessary if running groups; otherwise all candidates will need tobe able to demonstrate:

  • Experience and knowledge of conservation work (paid/voluntary)
  • Experience in volunteer leadership
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
  • Efficiency and organisationalskills
  • The ability to take initiative and also work in a team
  • Full driving licence and willingness to use own vehicle to transport equipment
  • First-aid qualification or willingness to undertake training
  • Computer skills- Microsoft Word, e-mail, social media
  • Knowledge of Richmond, Kingston and Hounslow boroughs

Candidates will need to apply for and achieve a clear DBS check before undertaking any work.Confirmation of suitable car insurance will also need to be seen.

Location

The work will be undertaken at the Trust’s office and on location at various volunteering sites around the borough of Richmond, Kingston and Hounslow.

Hours and remuneration

This is a casual paid post. Hours will be subject to the Trust’s work load and the availability of candidates.

Sessions may include weekends and evenings.

We will pay £12/hour if assisting a project manager with a session or £15/hour if running a session (this is dependent on experience and demand). Hours will include time spent immediately before and after an event preparing/clearing away, but not for anytime spent doing administration. Reasonable expenses (including mileage at 45p/mile) will be paid if agreed in advance with the General Manager. Payment will be by BACS payment on receipt of an invoice from the post holder. The post holder will be responsible for his or her tax and national insurance payments.

To apply or ask for further information, please contact Berny Simcox, General Manager

T: 020 8891 5455 E: