Wild Connections Project Coordinator

Job Description and Person Specification

Reporting to:Volunteer Co-ordinator

Hours :37.5 hrs (Monday - Sunday)

Based : WWT Head Office Devizes

JOB PURPOSE

The purpose of this role is to lead and deliver theWild Connectionsproject.You will be responsible for overall project management and development to deliver theagreed outcomes. Your role will be wide and diverse but focussed on networking with target audiences, developing project strategies, supervising volunteers, delivering training and practical conservation tasks, monitoring progress, ensuring reports are delivered and managing budgets.

You will work across 15 of our key nature reserves across Wiltshire to benefit wildlife and the local and wider community. The cross-departmental nature of Wild Connections means the project will be line managed by our Volunteer Co-ordinator.

Building on work undertaken during the Development Phase, you will work with six target groups as well as the wider community across the county. You will deliver innovative ways to break down their barriers and engage them in the work of the project.

DIMENSIONS

This is a role that requires a high level of management competence and leadership qualities. It also carries responsibility for a wide range of functions including people engagement, land management, health and safety and effective management of volunteers and contractors to achieve the objectives laid down in the WWT Strategic Plan.

Together with the Activities Co-ordinator and supported by the Administration Apprentice, you will lead and champion the delivery of activities to hard-to-reach groups that have been identified as target audiences within the Wild Connections project, including recovering addicts, ex-offenders, the young homeless, the elderly, injured service-personnel, and people with disabilities.

You will be required to work closely with members of the Adaptation and Mitigation teams together with other Trust staff members. This post requires active engagement with volunteers, target groups, contractors, funders and the local community.

This role will have line management responsibilities for the Activities Co-ordinator. You will also be required to supervise the Administration Apprentice, volunteers and contractors.

Normal working days are Monday - Sunday. You will be required to work at weekends and there may also be some evening work. This contract is offered for 37.5 hours per week for three years and is primarily funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The post holder will be the point of contact for any issues that may need to be addressed.

The post holderwill be required to have an enhanced disclosure and barring check or hold a current portable certificate for both children and vulnerable adults.

The post holder will be expected to carry appropriate identification when working away from the office.

In addition this post holder will be required to work within the terms of their contract and adhere to Trust policies.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • To be responsible for project management of the Wild Connections project.
  • Work with the Finance Department and Volunteer Co-ordinatorto manage budgets and provide reporting and HLF claims as required.
  • Line management of the Activities Co-ordinator and supervision of the Administration Apprentice,contractors and volunteers.
  • Ensure that the requirements of the Trust’s Health & Safety Policy as they affect the project sites, nature reserves, volunteers and contractors are fully adhered to.
  • Lead practical conservation tasks and other activities to encourage all aspects of community involvement on the Trust estate.
  • Organise and deliver, in liaison with other staff and external trainers, the Wild Connections tiered training scheme.
  • Support target groups to engage with the natural environment.
  • Provide increased opportunities for target groups, local people and community groups to become involved in countryside projects, ensuring maximum accessibility for those with mobility challenges.
  • Encourage the engagement of volunteers and communities on the 15 specified WWT reserves and work with the Trust Volunteer Coordinator and others to disseminate best practice in their recruitment, retention and development.
  • Work with the Reserves Manager and Field Officers to ensure that the Wild Connections project activities deliver the day to day management of the Trust’s 15 specified nature reserves in Wiltshire in accordance with their respective management plans with the aim of improving biodiversity and the amenity value of the Trust reserves.
  • Work with the Trust’s Communications Team to optimise media opportunities and regular website blog, Facebook and twitter updates.
  • Provide advice and support to staff not directly involved in nature reserve management where appropriate.
  • Provide internal and external written and verbal reports within agreed time frames as required.
  • Work with the Fundraising team to maximise all funding opportunities.
  • Attend regular support and supervision sessions and Team Meetings.
  • Undertake personal development training as required.
  • Any other duties as may be required which are commensurate with this post.

BACKGROUND

Please see attached WILD CONNECTIONS PROJECT VISION.

EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS REQUIRED

Essential / Desirable
Qualifications /
  • To be educated to degree level or have proven substantial relevant experience.
  • A range of practical conservation qualifications including: chainsaw, brush cutting.

Experience /
  • Experience of project management.
  • Proven experience of working with hard to reach or vulnerable and minority groups.
  • The ability to engage and work effectively with local communities and the public.
  • Experience of working on partnership projects, including those involving local community interests.
  • Experience of supervising volunteers on a range of conservation tasks.
  • Experience of creating effective work programmes for volunteers, contractors and staff.
  • Good understanding of Health and Safety legislation.
  • Understanding of Disability, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities legislation.
  • Knowledge of policies, legislation and organisations relevant to the work of the Trust and UK wildlife.
/
  • Knowledge or experience of working in the charity sector.
  • Knowledge of Wiltshire including local priority species and habitats and their conservation techniques.
  • Experience of researching, evaluating and communicating environmental information.

Skills /
  • Effective coordinator who is able to manage staff, volunteers and contractors.
  • The ability to develop and sustain strong working relationships.
  • Good written / oral skills.
  • Able to solve problems effectively.
  • Able to effectively prioritise, organise and manage a wide range of tasks, duties and resources concurrently and manage your time within demanding deadlines.
  • Competent computer skills, including developing and monitoring budgets, word processing, project management and report writing.
/
  • Knowledge or use of CMSi software.
  • Experience of writing funder reports.
  • Ability to mentor volunteers.

Personal attributes /
  • Self-motivation and drive.
  • Strong interpersonal and influencing skills including the ability to communicate with a wide range of service users.
  • Ability to deal with matters in a sensitive manner when required.
  • Good judgement in managing resources and people.
  • Approachable and dynamic manner.

Additional requirements /
  • A commitment to the environment and a genuine interest in the Living Landscape concept.
  • Valid full driving licence.
/ Minibus Driver. D1 on license or hold a recognised minibus driver qualification.

Special note:

This job description does not form part of the contract of employment but indicates how that contract should be performed. The job description will be subject to periodic review and amendment in consultation with the post holder. The post holder may be required to perform duties other than those given in this job description. The duties and responsibilities attached to the post may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or the level of the responsibility entailed. Such variations are a common occurrence and would not in themselves justify the re-evaluation of a post. In cases, however, where a permanent and substantial change in the duties of the post occurs, consistent with a higher level of responsibility, then the post would be eligible for re-evaluation.