Post: TCV Natural Networks trainee: Wild Waters of the White Cart - Natural Networks Project Officer

Bursary: £11,900

Location: Pollock Country Park

Duration: 12 MONTHS

Start date: 25th January 2016

Closing date for Applications: 30th October 2015

Thank you for your interest in the TCV Natural Networks Training Programme. Natural Networks is a new project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. It will develop skills to facilitate the 'green network' of sites considered essential for the effective conservation of biodiversity, creating a UK wide web of expertise in managing and engaging people in ecological networks. The project will develop the skills of 32 trainees and hundreds of communities across the UK to understand, value, protect and increase the biodiversity of their local green places.

Project Background

The Trainee will contribute to local biodiversity action plan aims and objectives for a series of sites along the White Cart Water in the south of Glasgow. This will include engaging with and encouraging community involvement in biodiversity projects, implementing habitat and species actions, biological recording and monitoring, and raising awareness of biodiversity value of the sites and natural networks connecting them to the White Cart Water and its tributaries.

Learning Outcomes

The Trainee will be supported to identify and achieve a range of learning outcomes, including filling skills gaps and opportunity to gain an accredited qualification. During the placement, the trainee will achieve a range of Green Network and Community Development learning outcomes, as follows.

Green Network Learning Outcomes

·  Developing and improving ecological networks: The trainee will gain an understanding of Glasgow’s green/natural networks through use of GCC maps and aerial photography and by site visits and survey to identify where the natural networks are located and how these can be protected, improved and understood by local communities.

·  Surveying, managing and improving local greenspace: The trainee will be able to learn key identification skills for plant and animal groups and survey techniques from GCC Ecologists and Countryside Rangers.

Training will be given on habitat management and hands-on experience on this provided e.g. meadow creation, pond enhancements, grassland management, waterfowl monitoring.

·  Engaging and supporting local communities to understand and protect local green places: The trainee will work with existing community groups eg Hidden Gardens and Pollok 50+ Club to develop the wildflower nursery. The trainee will make links with other groups such as ‘Friends of Glasgow’s Local Nature Reserves’ and Friends of Parks groups to raise awareness of the White Cart and identified sites in the natural networks around it. The trainee will identify other potential community groups and aim to engage with them in biodiversity projects to protect and understand local green places.

Community Learning and Development Learning Outcomes

·  Enabling others to identify needs, plan and take action to protect and improve local green places: Work with other groups involved in a diversity of green places throughout the city (e.g. Friends of Glasgow’s LNR’s) as well as the network of other Friends Groups should enable other groups and green networks in the City to identify their needs and plan appropriate action.

·  Enabling others to develop skills: By working with a broad range of community groups and age groups, alongside Countryside Rangers and others, the skills level of others will be developed.

·  Working with individuals & communities to achieve change: By working with the Countryside Rangers and other organisations (e.g. Hidden Gardens) on community engagement the appointed trainee will be able to engage with groups that have historically been underrepresented in environmental work. Hidden Gardens in particular do lots of environmental work with a range of ethnic and cultural groups within the network area.

The trainee will also:

·  Identify underrepresented groups / communities that do not traditionally engage with the environment in Glasgow. Through engagement with community workers community, group leaders and individuals the trainee will identify opportunities to include these communities in participating in the project and improving their input to developing the biodiversity of the area.

·  Engage with a number of existing and potential community groups to undertake biodiversity projects and awareness raising. The trainee will help the GCC Countryside Rangers at a range of wildlife activities and events. Larger LNR events generally attract 500+ attendees.

Person specification

Essential / Desirable
Qualifications:
Candidates will need to possess at least a basic knowledge of the environment, conservation and biodiversity. / ·  Educated to secondary level, including qualifications in English and maths
ALL
Experience:
·  A personal interest in natural history
· 
·  Working with individuals and groups from a wide range of backgrounds and abilities
·  / ·  Some experience of natural history identification
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·  Experience of working outdoors (e.g. on a nature conservation project)
Strong leadership skills
Public speaking experience
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· 
Skills:
Excellent communication skills
Good numeracy and literacy skills, with NVQ 1 level (or equivalent) to demonstrate these skills
Basic competency in use of IT / Experience of working with volunteers and community groups
Experience delivering environmental education
· 
·  A knowledge of health and safety issues relating to outdoor activities
· 
· 
Personal Qualities:
A motivated individual with a passion, commitment and enthusiasm for protecting and a commitment to conserving our natural environment
Applicants must have the dedication and drive to work on their own initiative with community groups, individuals and volunteers.
Self-confidence, reliability and the ability to work with minimal supervision. Applicants must be able to work on their own initiative or as part of a team / A willingness to learn and share what is learned
· 
· 
· 
·  Organisational skills and excellent time management
Other:
An aptitude for engaging people and an interest in natural heritage are the most important qualities in a potential applicant.
A Standard Disclosure Check will be required
Some evening and / or weekend activities will be required / ·  Clean driving licence and 1 year’s (minimum) driving experience