New to Nature Placement - Community and Visitor Engagement Assistant - Apply via Survey Monkey Link

Job Description

You can apply for this placement via the following link: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/NTNPlacementApplication22

New to Nature is an exciting programme of paid work placements in nature-focused roles. This is one of 70 roles that will be created across the UK to encourage young and diverse talent into the Natural Environment sector.

We’re particularly interested in receiving applications from young people (aged 18-25) who are from ethnically diverse backgrounds, who are living with a disability or are from low-income households.

You’ll get paid a good wage from a placement that helps the environment, learn loads of skills to boost your CV and get access to a Youth Employment Coach to help you plan your future career. There’ll also be opportunities to learn about potential careers in the natural environment, and (should you wish to) connect with the other young people working in New to Nature roles across the country.

This is a unique opportunity to try something new, and to take a first step on a career path where you can make a real difference. The natural environment needs you!

We hope you will join us on this exciting journey!

About the Role

RSPB Sandwell Valley nature reserve is much loved by the diverse local community; however, many local people are still unaware of this friendly, easily accessible, welcoming natural park on their doorstep.

As the Community and Visitor Engagement Assistant, you will focus on connecting the local community with the nature reserve. You will run community engagement events and activities on and off-site, this will include organising nature themed activities such as talks and events. You will recruit and train volunteers to help you enthuse and inspire local people in lesser heard communities to take action for nature. You will lead on community focussed communications such as events promotion, press stories and social media posts.

Working with the Visitor Experience Officer you will contribute a local community focus to the visitor experience of the site. This will include visitor facing roles such as helping with engagement events and meet and greet on the welcome desk occasionally. You will input to and assist with visitor engagement events and temporary interpretation. You will be trained to undertake the role of duty manager, having responsibility for running the visitor centre on some days.

You will be a friendly and approachable person who enjoys working with a wide variety of people. Some previous experience of, or interest in community engagement would be advantageous but not essential. Communications, visitor experience or customer service skills can also be brought to this role. Knowledge of wildlife and working with nature reserves is not key, just come with an interest and a willingness to listen to and learn from the local community and your colleagues.

You will be joining a friendly and supportive team with varied individual work areas. We will give you support and training to achieve your best in the role and beyond.

The role will include some weekend and evening working so that you can engage with the local community at times that suit them. There can be an element of flexibility in working hours, please contact us to discuss.

Person Specification:

• An understanding of community engagement.
• Confidence in engaging with the public.
• The ability to inspire people to try something new.
• Good written and verbal communications skills.
• Customer service or visitor experience skills.
• Ability to work in a team.
• Ability to lead others.
• Planning and organisational skills.
• Ability to prioritise and complete work independently.
• Able to self-motivate and use own initiative.
• Competent in the use of Microsoft Office programmes or similar.
• An interest in learning about wildlife and nature

RSPB will also be providing support for participants, including training in:

• Visitor welcome / customer service
• Wildlife ID and habitat management
• Communications including social media
• Community empowerment
• Safeguarding
• Leadership Skills
• Events management
• Project Management
• First aid

This is a Fixed-Term (12 Months) working 35 hours per week. The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

Please see attached document for further information.

We expect to conduct interviews in person at RSPB Sandwell Valley visitor centre on Thursday 2nd of March 2023.

If you have any questions about the role or interview process, please contact us at Cathy Taylor – 07730 194 377 / cathy.taylor@rspb.org.uk

You can apply for this placement via the following link: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/NTNPlacementApplication22

This is hosted by Groundwork UK who will check the suitability of applicants, before passing the application on to the placement organisation, who will shortlist applicants to an informal interview process.

Please ensure you carefully select the correct role from the drop-down list, to ensure your details are passed to the correct placement organisation.

If you have any questions about the application form, contact Groundwork UK at: newtonature@groundwork.org.uk

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.