Wildlife Assistant

Context

The Trust operates throughout the traditional county of Yorkshire (i.e. all of the Yorkshire and Humber region except North Lincolnshire) from the Humber to the Pennines and from the Dales and Moors to the urban conurbations of the south. It is the second oldest of the 47 Wildlife Trusts which work in partnership together covering the whole of the UK. Our purpose is to lead the way in achieving our vision of a Yorkshire rich in wildlife for everyone through pursuing our mission of creating Living Landscapes and securing Living Seas in Yorkshire. We will do this by being passionate leaders and natural partners whose objectives are to:

·  demonstrate how nature works

·  inspire people and communities to value and take action for wildlife

·  champion wildlife and our work

and to enable this by:

·  growing our resources through inspiring people to value our work

·  knowledge sharing, cooperation, flexibility and effectiveness and

·  ensuring excellent governance.

The Trust seeks to realise this vision through the objectives identified in the Development Plan and Business Plan. Activities that the Trust undertakes to achieve the plans are nature reserve management of over 100 reserves covering more than 3,000 hectares scattered across the region, specialist projects in river and wetland management, community development and environmental education activities, publicity and promotion and campaigning and policy work.

The Trust employs more than 120 staff (equivalent of 96 F/T staff) and, crucially, enjoys the support of more than 42,000 members. The staff work through four teams: support services; development; and two conservation delivery teams – north & east and south & west. Each team has a director who reports to the Chief Executive who is responsible for the operations of the Trust and, in turn, reports to the Board of Trustees who govern the organisation.

The conservation delivery teams are then divided into regional teams which are led by a Regional Manager who reports to the Director of the delivery team.

The Trust engages more than 600 dedicated volunteers and voluntary trainees in its work. They make a huge contribution by giving time, skills, knowledge, enthusiasm and local ownership to our vision. All employees are expected to encourage, develop and support volunteer involvement wherever possible.

This post sits in the East region of the Trust’s operations, and seeks to take forward youth engagement in greenspaces throughout Hull. Under the guidance of the Wildlife Coordinator, the post holder will support children and young people to develop and implement a range of habitat enhancement and engagement projects within communities across Hull. The post holder will work within the Youth in Nature partnership team to ensure excellent outcomes for children and young people through learning and development.

Wildlife Assistant

Job Description

Outline

Responsible to: YIN Wildlife Coordinator

Responsible for: Volunteers and trainees

Brief

The Wildlife Assistant will work with colleagues and partners to support children and young people to increase their awareness, understanding and skills, relating to wildlife and the environment. These skills will then be used to identify, work up and implement green space enhancements within Hull. They will work closely with local communities to ensure their support and continuing involvement and also with established groups and agencies to ensure these works are valued within a wider context. The wildlife assistant will contribute natural history, land management for wildlife and community and youth engagement experience within the partnership, to complement youth engagement, employability and community support held within other organisations. Enmeshed within the Youth in Nature partnership, the Wildlife Assistant will help to empower children and young people to deliver tangible changes to greenspaces and local communities contributing to the creation of Living Landscapes in Hull - wildlife-rich landscapes that improve the quality of life for those living in, and visiting those landscapes.

Child & Youth Support

·  Supporting delivery of a programme of outdoor experiences and wildlife encounters, which inspire children and young people about the natural world, and stimulate ideas and action.

·  Instil a strong culture of understanding, support and respect for wildlife and the environment, which facilitates children and young peoples’ personal growth and social development within a structured and nurturing framework.

·  Support the development of opportunities for children and young people to volunteer and become involved in planning, developing and evaluating the programme of Youth in Nature activities.

·  Deliver training activities and experiences which enable children and young people to learn new skills and develop personally, which could contribute to accredited qualifications.

·  Have an understanding of safeguarding issues in respect of young people and young adults, and apply safe working practices at all times in line with YWT and Partner policies.

Promotion and wider engagement

·  Deliver roadshows and other promotional events which encourage support from educational and youth support organisations and involvement of children and young people.

·  Support in building and maintaining relationships with local communities and other wildlife, greenspace and community based organisations, to develop opportunities for wildlife enhancement.

·  Under the guidance of the Wildlife Coordinator, support a promotional strategy which encourages involvement in the Youth in Nature project.

Project Administration

·  Apply the Youth in Nature project management systems to record progress of the project against agreed targets.

·  Ensure all project information is properly documented on Upshot software.

·  Ensure confidentiality is maintained and follow Data Protection procedures at all times.

·  Ensure the safe use, storage, and maintenance of tools, equipment and other resources required for the project.

Other

·  Attend regular training and development opportunities to maintain an up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding, health and safety and environmental knowledge.

·  Help to build Youth in Nature and YWT’s brand recognition and inspire and educate the general public about wildlife and the environment.

·  Abide by all Trust and relevant partnership policies, and the ethos of the Youth in Nature project.

·  Undertake other duties as requested by your line manager and in line with the post.

Wildlife Assistant

Person Specification

Experience / Essential or Desirable
Experience of youth engagement and community involvement in green spaces / D
Experience of working with partner organisations to deliver effective projects / D
Practical experience of developing and delivering education & community events / D
Knowledge and Understanding
A good understanding of ecology and the general principles of nature conservation / D
A good understanding of the community sector, especially as this relates to youth engagement. / D
A good understanding of environmental activities and safeguarding issues / D
Skills and Qualifications
IT literate – particularly MS Word and Excel / E
Excellent verbal and written communication skills / E
Educated to degree level (or equivalent) / D
Strong organisational and project management skills / D
Ability to create, plan, and deliver exciting and inspiring sessions for young people / E
Personal Qualities
A personable and friendly personality / E
Effective negotiation and persuasive skills - inspiring others to take action / E
A strong team worker but able to work autonomously / E
Creative and dynamic approach with high standards of personal and professional integrity / E
Confident, with a calm and organised approach / E
Commitment to and passionate about nature conservation / E
Commitment to and passionate about inspiring young people to engage with wildlife and the environment, as a route to personal development
Clean driving licence / E
D

Wildlife Assistant

Terms and Conditions

Salary: / £19000 p.a. pro rata.
Hours: / 17.5 working hours per week. The nature of the post’s duties will require some early morning, evening, and weekend work. Paid overtime is not available, but time off in lieu will be given.
Flexibility: / Subject to ensuring that the needs of the business and the role are met, the Trust, where possible, endeavours to meet the flexible working needs of its employees.
Pensions: / You will be eligible to be auto enrolled into the Trust’s Group Flexible Retirement plan. The Trust will contribute to this plan on your behalf at a rate set by the Trust’s Council. The rate is currently 3% of your basic salary. However, if you choose to make an employee contribution the Trust will make an employer contribution of up to 9% depending on the amount you choose to contribute as an employee. Written terms of the scheme are available on request from finance.
Childcare Vouchers: / The Trust operates a Childcare Voucher Scheme. Details of which are available on request.
Employee Assistance Programme: / The Trust provides paid staff with access to an Employee Assistance Programme. This is a confidential service which aims to provide staff with support for a range of issues. Further details are available from the HR and Training Manager.
Notice Period: / 4 weeks following satisfactory completion of a 6 month probationary period.
Place of Work: / The post will be based at the Trust’s Pearson Park Offices in Hull. Close working with other Youth in Nature staff (especially with Child Dynamix) is essential and the role will require regular work from partner offices and outreach locations.
Travel: / Public transport is encouraged although pool vehicles are available. In exceptional circumstances the use of the post holder’s own vehicle may be necessary for business use for which a mileage rate of 27.5p per mile will be paid.
Equal Opportunities: / Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is committed to equal opportunities and appoints on merit. We welcome applicants from all sections of society regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, disability, marital status, age and religion, perceived community background or political beliefs.
DBS: / The successful applicant must be prepared to undergo an enhanced DBS check. Confirmation of appointment will be subject to the results of the DB.S
Closing Deadline:
Interview Date: / 9 am on Tuesday 10 October 2017.
Thursday 26 October 2017.

Draft JD Wildlife Assistant SBC /SB 05/09/17