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- Tasks: Lead and inspire volunteers to maintain and enhance our beautiful waterways.
- Company: Join the Canal & River Trust, dedicated to keeping canals vibrant.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and employee perks.
- Other info: Flexible hours and opportunities for personal growth in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while enjoying diverse outdoor activities.
- Qualifications: Experience in volunteering or customer service, leadership skills, and a full UK driving licence.
The predicted salary is between 28470 - 28470 £ per year.
Join Our Team: Volunteering Leader
We’re excited to welcome a new Volunteering Leader at our Wales & South West location.
Working Hours & Location
This role follows a 37 hours, over a 7 day working pattern. The post holder will also be required to work an annualised hours system which includes working any 5 days out of 7 including statutory holidays. They will also be part of a 24-hour operational standby team responsible for providing emergency cover for the waterway. The Volunteering Leader will be based at Bathpool yard, Dyers Lane, Taunton, TA2 8BZ.
Role Overview
This is an exciting opportunity, which offers a great variety of activities and tasks from day to day. You will be the public face of the Trust, working extremely closely with volunteers and with members of the public who visit and use our waterways. Your work will be a combination of day-to-day routine tasks and more exciting and involved project work. You will lead volunteers and the team to enable them to work safely and efficiently and help to foster a safe, secure and vibrant waterway network, where visitors are delighted with their experience. The role includes leading and attending events to publicise the work of the trust, promote our activities and recruit new volunteers.
Key Responsibilities
- Working outside, undertake on-the-job organisation, control and leadership of volunteer groups, volunteer task days, volunteer lock keepers and our in-house team.
- Leading and attending events to publicise the work of the trust, promote our activities and recruit new volunteers.
- Delivering works planned to be conducted by our volunteer teams and our local team.
- Develop volunteering opportunities on our locks.
- Deliver training to volunteers in accordance with set standards.
- Identify opportunities for volunteers and update records of work and time delivered.
- Ensure all equipment (PPE, plant, materials etc.) are appropriate for the task, in good condition and are used correctly.
- Prepare appropriate safe systems of work, induct volunteers onsite and manage safe delivery.
- Support communication within the team including sharing relevant corporate messages and provide feedback from the volunteers to the Area Operations Manager in order to enhance the planning of works.
- Active involvement in the day-to-day tasks of the team and volunteers e.g. lock keeping, water control, vegetation management, small projects, planned maintenance and also actively assist the Area Operations Manager in the planning of tasks. Ensure that environmental and heritage issues are taken into consideration in all work that is undertaken.
- Delivering pre planned maintenance of structures and undertaking minor repairs as part of a small team.
- Recording works completed and celebrating volunteer contributions.
About you
We are looking for an organised, proactive, engaging volunteering leader to support the Area Operations Manager. You will provide guidance to a growing number of active volunteers and our in-house team that helps maintain, conserve and improve the environment and heritage of the waterway network for local communities and visitors to enjoy.
Skills & Qualifications
- Experience of working within relevant environment e.g. volunteering, environmental works, customer service operations or maintenance.
- Experience of leading a small team.
- Great organisation and prioritising skills.
- Effective and engaging communication skills.
- Computer literate – with good knowledge of Microsoft Office package.
- Full UK Driving licence essential.
- You will need to be self-motivated, able to work flexible hours to meet volunteering and business needs and communicate well with customers, volunteers and staff at all levels.
Contact & Application
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at CRT.recruitment@canalrivertrust.org.uk. We encourage early applications as we may close the vacancy once we receive enough suitable candidates.
What We Offer
We offer an annual salary of £28,470. Enjoy a competitive pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and a range of employee benefits. For a full breakdown of our benefits, check out our brochure.
Volunteering leader in Taunton employer: Canal and River Trust
Contact Detail:
Canal and River Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Volunteering leader in Taunton
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Before your interview, do a bit of research on the Canal & River Trust. Understand their mission and values, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who genuinely cares.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for common interview questions related to leadership and volunteering. Think about specific examples from your past experiences that showcase your skills in managing teams and engaging with volunteers.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! During the interview, let your enthusiasm for volunteering and environmental conservation shine through. Share stories that highlight your commitment and how you’ve made a difference in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your appreciation for the opportunity and reinforces your interest in the role. Plus, it keeps you fresh in their minds!
We think you need these skills to ace Volunteering leader in Taunton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to show your passion for volunteering and the environment.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience and skills. Mention specific examples of how you've led teams or worked with volunteers in the past – it’ll make you stand out!
Keep It Clear and Concise: We appreciate a well-structured application. Keep your sentences clear and to the point, and make sure to proofread for any typos or errors. A polished application shows attention to detail!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role there too.
How to prepare for a job interview at Canal and River Trust
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Volunteering Leader. Familiarise yourself with the key tasks mentioned in the job description, like leading volunteer groups and managing events. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm for the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading volunteers, be prepared to share specific examples of your leadership experience. Think about times when you've successfully managed a team or organised an event. Highlight how you motivated others and ensured tasks were completed safely and efficiently.
✨Engage with the Community
As the public face of the Trust, it's crucial to show your passion for community engagement. Be ready to discuss how you would promote activities and recruit new volunteers. Share any previous experiences where you've connected with the public or enhanced community involvement.
✨Prepare Questions to Ask
Interviews are a two-way street, so come prepared with thoughtful questions. Ask about the current projects, volunteer training processes, or how the team collaborates on tasks. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.