Role description for

Volunteerplacement-

Information Assistant

Information Assistant placement-mid-Juneto end July 2015(minimum duration 4weeks to cover all of July).

Please make sure you read the“Essential Information for all Long-term Handa Volunteers” and “Safety for Volunteers” documents.

Duties(with estimate of work time occupied as a %)

Welcoming visitors,recruiting members,providing wildlife and reserve information(85%)

  • Generate financial support for the Trust by recruiting members;
  • Improve visitors’ experience by providing a welcome, and information about the Scottish Wildlife Trust;
  • Provide interpretation of natural history of Handa (particularly seabirds);
  • 5 days/week, for an average of 80 people/day;
  • Based at cliffs, or Visitor Shelter, depending on weather conditions and recent sightings;
  • Responsible for Visitor Shelter and shop (promoting items for sale) in afternoons;
  • Assist with disembarking and embarking of ferry passengers if required.

Biological monitoring(5%)

  • In late June there is the chance to assist the Ranger with intensive monitoring of seabirds;
  • Including established population and productivity on Guillemot, Razorbill, Fulmar and Kittiwake.

Path maintenance(5%)

  • Repairing boardwalk, path inspections, clearing vegetation and footpath drainage.

Practical assistance(5%)

  • General practical tasks including: Beach cleaning;firewood collection maintaining the bothy and its water system, sign maintenance and any other duties as and when they arise.

The Information Assistantreally needs to have:

  • A passion for wildlife and the outdoors;
  • The ability to communicate this passion and inspire others;
  • A flexible attitude to working hours and communal living;
  • A good level of health and fitness;
  • Self motivation and the ability to work independentlyand as part of a tight team;
  • A love of being outside- whatever the weather!

It would be good for the Information Assistant to have:

  • Good all round wildlife knowledge;
  • A desire to pursue career in conservation;
  • Prior UK seabird and or marine biology experience;
  • Previous experience in sales or information provision.

Role is responsible toHanda Ranger, Reserve Manager, Marketing Department of SWT.

Hours of work

35 hours per week spread over 5 days. Occasional early morning or late evening work will be required for which you will receive time off in lieu. Normal working hours will be 9am – 5pm.

Everyone has Sunday off on Handa, this is the only day without visitor boats landing. You will normally be expected to work Monday and Saturday, two very busy days on Handa. It may not be possible to have the same weekday off each week. You’re welcome to leave the island on your weekday off, providing you catch the last boat back. The boatmen provide one free return ticket for every 2 weeks of your stay, so if you wish to go off more frequently than this, you will have to pay the concessionary fare of £10 each trip.

Training, support and materials

The volunteer will be given full training in all aspects of the role. The Information Assistant will be given some training in membership recruitment, information provision and sales experience, either on Handa, or at another mainland SWT visitor centre prior to coming to Handa. Handa reserve and wildlife knowledge will be learnt on site.

SWT fleeces and t-shirts, a pair of binoculars and field telescope (when available) and wellington boots will be provided for the duration of your stay (please check size availability).The volunteer is responsible for their own travel arrangements and food. Basic, bunkhouse-style accommodation is provided free of charge in the Handa Bothy. Limited financial assistance is available: we will reimburse up to £40 travel expenses and £15/week for food expenses. Receipts must be provided.

Health and safety

It is crucial the successful candidate adheres to strict health and safety guidelines and lone worker procedures both when working and relaxing on the island. With extreme weather, difficult terrain and precipitous cliffs coupled with limited phone signal, Handa is an extreme living and working environment which the Ranger is responsible for at all times. There is also a strict no drunkenness or drug use policy. Failure to adhere to these policies or general H&S guidelines will see the placement terminated.

How to apply

The placements on Handa are widely recognised as important field experience and provide the successful applicant with valuable career enhancing experience and networking opportunities with the SWT, the RSPB and with several seabird researchers and academics.Many former volunteers have gone on to warden Handa and other reserves, and the majority are now employed fulltime within the conservation or academic sectors. With only one placement available, candidates are encouraged to submit a full and detailed application, tailored to the specific role.

Send us the following:

  • Completed Handa Volunteering Application form NB: make sure you specify which role(s) you’re applying for;
  • CV tailored to the specific role(s) you’re applying for;
  • Covering letter stating why you want the post and why you think you’re suitable;
  • The full contact details of 2 referees and how they know you should also be included on a separate sheet.

By email to by post to Handa Ranger, Handa Island, c/o Scourie Stores, Scourie, By Lairg, IV27 4TB.

Closing date for applications: 28th May 2015.

Incomplete applications or those that do not closely match the specified dates will not be considered.

Candidate selection

If shortlisted for the position, you will be invited to take part in an interview with the Handa Ranger and/or Reserve Manager. This will be via Skype, or by telephone. We aim to interview candidates during the week 1 -5 June. We regret that due to limited resources, we are unable to contact unsuccessful candidates. If you have not heard from us within 2 weeks of the closing date for applications, please assume that you have been unsuccessful. Good luck!