At a Glance
- Tasks: Coordinate and grow volunteer activities to connect people with trees and enhance community engagement.
- Company: Join Forestry England, a passionate team dedicated to improving forests and the environment.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, pension contributions, discounts, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Work at the stunning Westonbirt Arboretum, a major visitor attraction with a vibrant community.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on the environment while gaining valuable experience in volunteer management.
- Qualifications: Strong organisational, communication, and administration skills; empathy for handling sensitive issues.
The predicted salary is between 30105 - 30105 £ per year.
We are Forestry England. We live and breathe forests. Join us – we’re foresters, professionals and experts. We are a passionate team who love to share our enthusiasm and want to make a positive difference for you and the environment. Together, we’re using our scale and expertise to grow the nation’s forests for everyone. We’re already adapting our landscapes for tomorrow, and getting stuff done today, like creating amazing places and experiences for you to enjoy. We’re providing vital homes for wildlife, making our air cleaner to breathe and producing sustainable timber.
What You’ll Do
We’re looking for a new Volunteer Co‑ordinator to help us oversee and grow our volunteering activities to enable us to deliver our Mission 'to connect people with trees to improve the quality of life'. As our new Volunteer Co‑ordinator, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth day-to-day management of the volunteer programme by working across all arboretum teams to coordinate our volunteer activities to ensure they meet business needs and provide the highest quality experience for our volunteers. You will oversee the work of our volunteer administration team to ensure we manage volunteer data and core processes (e.g. training, communications, recruitment) effectively and in line with relevant legislation / best practice. You will be an excellent organiser / facilitator, with exemplary communication and administration skills. You’ll thrive on forging strong relationships and have the empathy to tackle difficult and sensitive issues respectfully.
The role sits within the Learning and Participation team, which is responsible for the development and delivery of public engagement programmes, including formal education, interpretation, family events and community activities.
Where you’ll work
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum is one of the world’s finest temperate tree collections and an internationally important historic landscape of incredible beauty. The arboretum is also a major visitor attraction and thriving community, with over 500,000 visits per year and almost 40,000 members. Our activities are supported by almost 400 passionate volunteers, covering 23 different roles.
Benefits
- Alongside your salary, Forestry England contributes an average of 28.97% towards your pension. You will become a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme.
- 25 days holiday a year, raising by one day every year’s service, up to 30 days (pro-rated for part time employees) plus additional days off such as bank holidays.
- STaR is our employee benefits scheme offering discounts on everyday supermarket shopping, as well as other things such as hotel stays, clothes, mobile phones, other electrical items, medical and car insurance, holidays, gym discounts, household bills, Headspace wellbeing app.
- Free parking at Forestry England sites and free entry to our National Arboretums at Westonbirt and Bedgebury.
- A commitment to lifelong learning through career development. Forestry England will support your career development in a variety of ways, including continual professional development, support for individual learning plans and sponsored membership of professional bodies.
How To Apply
You will be asked to write a 350 word statement summarising your relevant experience and career history, along with 2 additional questions. You will be assessed on all three during sifting. More details about how to apply are listed on the application form. You will be assessed on experience and a technical skill during your interview. The Behaviours being assessed at interview are – Making effective decisions, Communication and influencing, Working together, Managing a quality service.
Successful candidates will undergo an enhanced criminal record check and the government baseline personnel security standard check. If you require any reasonable adjustments, please email fcrecruitmentteam@forestryengland.uk.
If you’re planning to use AI to support your application, please ensure you’ve read our guidelines first. Read more about our application process and working with us on the Forestry England website.
Nationality Requirements
Working for the Civil Service Forestry England is part of the Civil Service. The Civil Service has a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS). This means candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria during the application process will be guaranteed an interview. We also offer a Redeployment Interview Scheme to current civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the role. This role is also part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans and Prison Leaver Recruitment initiative.
Within Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, it is essential that applicants should have the ability to provide conversation in accurate spoken English. Our recruitment process makes appointments based on fair and open competition and merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles.
If you feel your application has not been treated in line with/according to these principles and you wish to make a complaint, please email: englandhr.services@forestryengland.uk.
Volunteer Coordinator employer: Forestry England
Forestry England is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises health and well-being while fostering a deep connection with nature. As a Forest Wellness & Activity Coordinator, you will benefit from a generous holiday allowance, pension contributions, and opportunities for professional growth within a supportive team dedicated to lifelong learning.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Volunteer Coordinator
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research Forestry England and their mission. Understanding their values and goals will help you tailor your approach and show them you're genuinely interested in making a positive impact.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for your interview. This insider info can give you an edge!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for the interview by rehearsing answers to common questions related to volunteer coordination. Focus on your communication and organisational skills, as these are key for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Forestry England. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Volunteer Coordinator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft Your Statement Wisely:When writing your 350-word statement, make sure to highlight your relevant experience and career history. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Volunteer Coordinator, so be specific and showcase your passion for volunteering and forestry!
Answer the Questions Thoughtfully:You'll have two additional questions to answer, so take your time! Think about how your experiences relate to the behaviours we're assessing, like communication and teamwork. This is your chance to shine, so let your personality come through!
Keep It Professional but Personal:While we love a professional tone, don’t forget to inject a bit of your personality into your application. We’re looking for someone who can connect with our volunteers, so showing your enthusiasm and empathy will go a long way!
Apply Through Our Website:Make sure you apply through our website to ensure your application gets to us smoothly. It’s the best way to keep everything organised and helps us get back to you quicker. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need right there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Forestry England
✨Know Your Forests
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of Forestry England and its mission. Understand their commitment to connecting people with trees and how that relates to the role of a Volunteer Coordinator. This will show your genuine interest and help you align your answers with their values.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
As a Volunteer Coordinator, you'll need to demonstrate excellent organisational abilities. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed volunteer programmes or events. Be ready to discuss how you handle logistics, training, and communication effectively.
✨Emphasise Communication and Empathy
Strong communication skills are crucial for this role. Think of specific instances where you've had to influence or communicate with diverse groups. Highlight your ability to tackle sensitive issues with empathy, as this is key in managing volunteers and fostering a positive environment.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
The interview will assess behaviours like making effective decisions and managing a quality service. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses. Prepare scenarios that showcase your decision-making process and how you ensure high-quality service delivery.
