Volunteer Co-ordinator in Otley

Hours: 20-28 hours per month (flexible, with some weekend working required)

Rate: £20/hour on a freelance basis

Responsible to: Yorkshire Community Woodland Society volunteer directors

Location: Hybrid - remote/home based admin; travel around Leeds to meet volunteers and community groups; and on site at Briscoe Woods, HG3 1QY

Starting: July 2026 for 12 months

Purpose of the Role

To coordinate regular seasonal volunteer conservation work days that are accessible and welcoming to people from inner Leeds communities, growing participation and building relationships with groups who have fewer opportunities to connect with nature and land.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate a minimum of 12 work days over a year, including minibus transport and a nutritious shared lunch for participants, ensuring the days are well organised, safe and enjoyable, and foster a sense of community belonging.
• Liaise with the YCWS volunteer directors to plan appropriate tasks and activities.
• Coordinate specialist practitioners to deliver activities on occasional work days.
• Ensure all necessary tools, materials and safety information are in place.
• Develop a network of partner organisations who can refer and support participants from our target groups.
• Develop and distribute publicity materials to reach diverse audiences.
• Identify and creatively overcome barriers to access.
• Welcome and induct new volunteers, ensuring everyone feels included and safe.
• Gather participant details and feedback, and quantitative and qualitative outcome monitoring information.
• Keep accurate records, including expenses and project outputs.
• Contribute to reports for the committee and funders.
• Communicate regularly with the YCWS directors.

Person Specification

Knowledge

• Understanding of barriers faced by marginalised communities in accessing green space and nature (Essential).
• Knowledge of community organisations and networks in Leeds, particularly inner city areas (Desirable).
• First aid, health and safety, and safeguarding (Desirable).

Skills

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust across diverse communities (Essential).
• Ability to organise and coordinate work days and logistics (transport, catering, tools, people) (Essential).
• Ability to communicate in a clear, warm and culturally sensitive way, verbally and in writing (Essential).
• Ability to work independently, plan, manage own time and prioritise (Essential).
• Ability to produce accessible promotional materials or communications (print, social media, website, email) (Essential).
• Basic administrative and record keeping skills (Essential).
• Basic conservation work (e.g., coppicing, path clearance, planting) (Desirable).

Experience

• Working or volunteering with marginalised communities (Essential).
• Community outreach and building relationships with partner organisations (Essential).
• Identifying and developing income generating and fundraising opportunities (Desirable).

Other

• Passion for the environment and commitment to equitable access to nature and the values of this project (Essential).
• Willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions on work days (Essential).
• Availability to work some Saturdays or Sundays (for work days) (Essential).
• Access to own transport or willingness to use public transport to travel to Leeds communities (Essential).
• Willingness to undergo a DBS check (Essential).

Yorkshire Community Woodland Society is committed to equal opportunities and actively encourages applications from people with lived experience of the communities this role serves.