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- Tasks: Lead and inspire volunteers to enhance our waterways and engage with the community.
- Company: Join a passionate team dedicated to conserving and improving local waterways.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension scheme, 25 days holiday, and flexible working hours.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while gaining valuable leadership experience.
- Qualifications: Experience in volunteering or environmental work, strong communication, and leadership skills.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and community engagement.
The predicted salary is between 28470 - 28470 £ per year.
Working Hours: 1931.4 annualised hours Monday - Sunday.
Location: Calveley, Tarporley Hub. Working along the Middlewich Branch, Llangollen and Shropshire Union Canals.
We currently have an opportunity for a Volunteer Leader. 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.
About the role:
- 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.
- 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.
- Working outside, undertake on-the-job organisation, control and leadership of volunteer groups, volunteer task days, volunteer lock keepers and our in-house team.
- Provide relief River locks keeper duties.
- Develop volunteering opportunities on River 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.
About you:
- 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.
- 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.
What we offer:
- In addition to your annual salary of £28,470, we also offer a competitive contributory DC Pension scheme arrangement, and numerous other employee benefits, including several salary sacrifice benefits.
- Internal applicants will be offered the position in line with our secondment policy.
- Other benefits include: 25 days paid holiday, plus paid.
Volunteering Lead 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 Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Before your interview, do a bit of research on the Trust and its values. This will help you connect with the interviewers and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your leadership stories! Think of specific examples where you've led a team or managed volunteers. Be ready to share these during your interview to demonstrate your experience and skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for the environment! Since this role is all about maintaining and improving waterways, make sure to express your enthusiasm for conservation and community engagement during your discussions.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and keen to be part of our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Volunteering Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for volunteering and environmental work shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in the community and how that aligns with our values.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience, especially in leading teams or working with volunteers. We’re looking for someone organised and proactive, so showcase those skills clearly!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for the role.
Apply Early!: Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We might close the vacancy early if we find the right candidate, so get your application in as soon as possible through our website!
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 job description. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities of a Volunteering Lead, especially around leading volunteers and managing events. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience in leading teams or volunteer groups. Think of specific examples where you've successfully motivated others or managed projects. This is crucial for demonstrating that you can effectively guide volunteers and ensure their safety and engagement.
✨Engage with the Community
Since this role involves being the public face of the Trust, think about how you can connect with local communities. Prepare to share ideas on how to promote activities and recruit new volunteers. Showing that you have a proactive approach to community engagement will set you apart.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions. Inquire about the current challenges the team faces or how success is measured in this role. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the position aligns with your values and goals.