At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and train volunteers for exciting walking holidays while fostering a supportive community.
- Company: Join HF Holidays, a B Corp Certified brand with over 110 years of experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, pension contributions, discounts, and health support.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and opportunities for personal growth in a dynamic team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by empowering volunteers and sharing your passion for the outdoors.
- Qualifications: Strong organisation skills, people skills, and a love for walking are essential.
The predicted salary is between 19200 - 21600 £ per year.
Volunteer Walk Leader Assessment & Training Co-ordinator
Location: Remote – Bi-weekly visits required to our Operations hub in Keswick, Cumbria
Contract: Permanent – 22.5 hours per week (over three days)
Salary: £24,000 - £27,000 pro rata
Job Benefits: 33 Days Holiday pro rata inclusive of bank holidays | Pension Contributions | Volunteer Day | Group Life Assurance | Cinema Discounts | Online Shopping Discounts | Cycle to work Scheme | Discounted Gym Membership | Virtual GP | Health & Wellbeing Support 24/7 Helplines with access to trained counsellors for support| Exclusive discounts on our holidays for you, your friends and family | Annual familiarization visit at any of our country houses for you and your family
About the Role:
Our volunteer leaders are an essential part of our guests’ holidays, leading them on full day walks as well as hosting them and facilitating sociability from the start to the finish of their holiday.
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Volunteer Assessment & Training Co-ordinator to join our friendly Leader Operations Team, based in Cumbria. You will work mainly by email and phone to manage prospective volunteers through the assessment process and subsequent training opportunities. Building relationships and providing support to help volunteers succeed is key in this role.
Experience of working with volunteers would be advantageous. More importantly we’re seeking someone with a positive attitude, good organisation, and great people skills.
The role’s responsibilities include (but not limited to):
- Schedule annual Assessment Events for new leaders including liaising with relevant internal departmental and external experts, as required;
- Log and review/assess new VWLs applications, sending out acknowledgements and carrying out initial review of skillsets including reviewing logbooks of walk experience.
- Attending Assessments Events;
- Managing and feeding back outcomes;
- Assessor recruitment - Ensure the Society has an appropriate of number Assessors to run Assessment Events, through ongoing reviews and recruitment, as required.
- Manage ongoing training & Assessment opportunities: Conferences / workshops /training/ Authorisation increase. Includes liaising with relevant internal departmental and external experts, as required;
- Develop and deliver a training package for Tour Leader Managers who lead at partner hotels.
- On-boarding new VWLs. – Take the lead in developing process (inc pre leading ‘Teams’ induction)
- Organise & deliver new leader debrief workshops
- Work closely with Leader Operations to ensure that all stages of the leader journey are supported
What are we looking for?
We would love to hear from you if you have these essential skills:
- Strong organisation skills, including proven management of a demanding workload, identifying priorities and working to deadlines.
- Transferable skills in relation to recruitment, assessment events, training and onboarding.
- A knowledge of volunteering principles and requirements including an understanding of how their motivation may differ from employees.
- Excellent people skills, enabling strong relationships and networks to be built and maintained, externally and internally.
- A keen interest in walking and knowledge of the main walking areas in the UK
- A genuine team player with a passion for sharing knowledge and building the best work experience for others.
- Good communications skills (both written and oral).
- Flexible working hours
The following criteria is desirable and advantageous:
- Experience of being a volunteer.
- A relevant qualification in volunteer management.
- A relevant outdoor qualification eg Hill & Moorland Leader Award; Mountain Leader Award
- Working knowledge of volunteering best practice management, development and policy.
- Experience of innovating, leading and developing volunteering opportunities.
- Knowledge and an understanding of current volunteering trends and issues.
About HF Holidays:
HF Holidays are a B Corp Certified British heritage brand with over 110 years of experience organising walking holidays in the UK, Europe, and beyond. We’ve been leading the way since 1913 and offer over 260 carefully curated guided and self-guided walking tours on six continents and in 40 destinations worldwide. Run as a co-operative, we put people at the heart of everything we do and are proud to be part of a community with a shared passion for the great outdoors. Friendship, fun, fresh air, and the feelgood factor have always been our guiding principles. Our 500-strong team are based remotely, at our Head Office in Hertfordshire and across our 15 country houses located in some of the UK’s best-loved national parks and National Landscapes.
Our Application Process:
To ensure a fair and unbiased evaluation process, we welcome candidates to submit their CVs without including personal identifying information, such as name, gender, age, race, religion, or any other factors that may reveal their identity. This practice aligns with our commitment to fostering equal opportunities for all applicants. If successful, you will be invited to an online / face-to-face interview.
Equity and Diversity:
We recruit, employ, train, promote, and compensate individuals based on job-related qualifications and abilities. HF Holiday’s has a longstanding policy of providing a work environment that respects the dignity and worth of each individual and is free from all forms of discrimination; We are an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against candidates based on any of the protected characteristics set out under the Equalities Act 2010 or any other characteristic protected by law.
Volunteer Walk Leaders - Assessment & Training co in Keswick employer: HF Holidays Limited
HF Holidays is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its team members, offering a supportive work culture that values community and shared passion for the outdoors. With flexible working hours, generous benefits including 33 days of holiday, health and wellbeing support, and opportunities for personal growth through training and development, employees can thrive both professionally and personally while contributing to meaningful volunteer experiences in stunning locations like Keswick, Cumbria.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Volunteer Walk Leaders - Assessment & Training co in Keswick
✨Get Involved with Local Causes
Start connecting with local nonprofits or social impact projects in your area. Attend their events, offer to help out with community initiatives, or just drop by to chat about their mission. This way, you’ll not only learn about the work they do but also make meaningful connections that could lead to volunteer opportunities.
✨Leverage Social Media for Social Impact
Platforms like Twitter and Instagram are goldmines for discovering volunteer opportunities in the nonprofit sector. Follow organisations you’re passionate about, engage with their posts, and keep an eye out for their volunteer calls. It’s a great way to show your interest and dedication!
✨Utilise Volunteer Matching Platforms
Sites like VolunteerMatch or local community boards are perfect for finding short-term and long-term volunteer roles. These platforms can connect you with causes that align with your passions and skills, and often allow you to browse opportunities tailored to your interests.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
When you spot an organisation you like, don't hesitate to visit their website and check out their volunteer section. Many nonprofits have dedicated pages for volunteers where you can apply directly – and we’ve found that this route often leads to quicker responses and more personalised interactions!
We think you need these skills to ace Volunteer Walk Leaders - Assessment & Training co in Keswick
Some tips for your application 🫡
Share Your Passion for Social Impact:When you're applying for a volunteer role at a nonprofit like HF Holidays Limited, don’t just list your skills. Show us why you're passionate about social impact! Use your cover letter to tell a story about what drives you and how you've been involved in similar initiatives. Personal connections to the cause can really make your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to showcase any previous volunteer work or projects that demonstrate your commitment to social impact. Whether it’s fundraising, community outreach, or project management, detail your contributions and the results achieved. This kind of experience is invaluable in the nonprofit sector and can help us see your potential!
Get Creative with Your CV:In the world of nonprofits, a standard CV might not cut it. Consider using a more creative format that showcases your personality while maintaining professionalism. Use headings like 'Community Engagement' or 'Social Impact Projects' to highlight your experiences related to the role. Remember, we want to see what makes you unique!
Keep It Community-Focused:Make sure your application emphasises collaboration and community. Volunteer roles are about working well with others and contributing collectively towards a common goal. In your cover letter, mention any teamwork experiences or community projects you've been part of, and how you contributed to their success. This shows that you’re ready to jump into the collaborative spirit here at HF Holidays Limited.
How to prepare for a job interview at HF Holidays Limited
✨Know Your Passion
Dive deep into the mission of HF Holidays Limited and understand the issues they tackle. When they ask about your motivation to volunteer, share specific experiences that link your passion to their cause—whether it’s local community work or a broader social impact.
✨Bring Your Skills to the Table
Highlight any relevant skills that can aid in their projects, such as fundraising, project management, or community organising. Be prepared to share examples of how you’ve used these skills in past volunteer roles or relevant experiences.
✨Get Ready for Scenario Questions
In non-profit interviews, especially for volunteer roles, you might get scenario-based questions. Think about times when you've encountered challenges in team work or community engagement, and how you resolved them—this shows your problem-solving abilities.
✨Show Your Commitment
Since this is a volunteer role, they’ll likely want to see your commitment to the cause over an extended period. Be ready to discuss how much time you can dedicate, any special skills you can bring, and your eagerness to learn and grow with the organisation—this excites them to have you on board!
