Membership and Interpretation
Officer - The Cut, Shrewsbury
Background information
About Shropshire Wildlife Trust
Shropshire Wildlife Trust is a charity dedicated to the conservation of Shropshire's wildlife and wild
places. The Trust plays an important role in providing information and education for all ages on how to
observe, enjoy and protect wildlife.
The Trust owns/manages 40 nature reserves throughout Shropshire. In addition, The Trust manages
two visitor centres, one of which is also our headquarters.
There is a full and part-time staff of 45 people and the Trust relies on around 500 active volunteers who
are involved in every aspect of running the organisation. There is a growing membership (currently
around 12,500) that supports the Trust's work through their membership fees and donations.
About our Headquarters
Opposite Shrewsbury Abbey the Trust has its administrative headquarters and visitor centre. It is
adjacent to a large pay & display car park, 15minutes walk from the train station and on bus and cycle
routes. Around 25 staff are based here (though many spend time out on site). Staff cover a wide range
of activities, such as conservation, education, fund raising, finance, administration, membership and
special projects.
Around 6 staff are based at our reserves base which is a short walk away at Old Coleham yard.
About The Cut
The free entry visitor centre has wildlife gardens, tourist information, a shop, displays on wildlife and wild
places plus meeting rooms and event facilities. Around 20,000 people per year pass through the centre
as casual visitors or for specific events, activities and meetings. The town centre location provides the
opportunity to greatly increase the profile of The Trust.
A team of dedicated volunteers maintain and develop the garden under the guidance of our community
engagement officer. Volunteers are also heavily involved in the day to day running of the visitor centre.
The Boathouse
The Trust is also a partner in running the Boathouse visitor centre at Ellesmere. The Mere attracts
250,000 annual visits with over 80,000 using the Boathouse restaurant and cafe.
The Boathouse is an exciting and popular visitor destination. It has spectacular views over The Mere
and is home to Heronwatch every spring – observing herons raising young via CCTV and telescopes.
Trust staff and volunteers provide information and advise to the general public, raise awareness of the
Meres and Mosses landscape, deliver events and generate income to support the Trusts’ work from sale
of goods. It is free entry.
About the job
This is an exciting front of house role within our visitor services team. You will work to replicate our
success at The Boathouse by providing inspiring exhibitions, engaging the general public with a view to
recruiting new members, developing an innovative events and activity programme as well as taking full
responsibility for the appearance and feel of The Cut.
You will ensure the sale of goods enhances the visitor experience and generates income for the Trust.
This is our headquarters as well as a visitor centre so you will also provide valuable reception function
for Trust visitors. It is essential these first impressions are consistently excellent.
There will be opportunity to cover for staff at The Boathouse and also to support new visitor initiatives on
our nature reserves.
About the team
The post sits within the visitor services section of the Trust, headed by a Visitor Services Manager, with
your job share, a Conference and Hospitality officer and a similar job share at The Boathouse. This team
sits within the People and Wildlife Team, responsible for the Trusts’ people engagement objectives.
You will need to develop mutually beneficial working relationships with the Conference and Hospitality
officer so between you the functions of Trust reception, The Cut visitor centre and conference venue are
covered.
You will be expected to fully integrate into the Trust so you can provide accurate, up to date information,
specifically building good working relationships with the membership co-ordinator and the community
engagement officer.
Volunteer support will be key to the success of this role so we are looking for someone who can support
and empower volunteers to reach their potential, ultimately building a great team atmosphere.
Job share and working hours
The Cut is open 6 days week (Monday to Saturday). This post is 4 days a week (28 hours) as a job
share with a colleague working the other 2 days a week.
Holidays
You will be entitled to paid annual leave based on your hours worked, plus a pro rata allocation of public
holidays. The Trust operates a contributory pension scheme, which you will be entitled to join after a
probationary period.
For an informal discussion please call Steve Beary (Visitor Services Manager) on 01743 284280
or Helen Trotman (People and Wildlife Manager) on 01743 284297.
To apply for this post complete the application form and return with a
covering letter to (email preferred):
heatherb@shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk
Heather Bennett
Shropshire Wildlife Trust
193 Abbey Foregate
Shrewsbury
SY2 6AH
Shropshire Wildlife Trust
January 2016