ROLE DESCRIPTION
Volunteer Trainee Local Wildlife Sites
Assistant
(for eleven months starting Feb 2016)
Role title:
Volunteer Trainee Local Wildlife Sites Assistant
Function:
Assisting the co-ordination of the Local Wildlife Sites
system for Kent and Medway
Responsible to:
Conservation Officer (Wildlife Sites)
Kent Wildlife Trust
Kent Wildlife Trust (KWT) is one of the largest of the 47 Wildlife Trusts,
which together make up the Wildlife Trusts Partnership. We are supported
and governed by our circa 31,000 members, and have the simple aim of
protecting Kent’s wildlife for the future. To this end, we own or manage
over 60 nature reserves covering over 3,200 hectares; we campaign and
lobby politicians, decision makers and landowners to ensure site protection
and good habitat management; and we run a full programme of education
work with schools, colleges and adult groups. The Trust also has five
Visitor Centres.
The Trust operates from its headquarters at Tyland Barn, just north of
Maidstone. The 70 professional and support staff work within five sections
of Reserves; Conservation, Policy and Evidence; People Engagement;
Marketing and Membership; Finance and Support Services.
Visit our website to see the range of our activities –
www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk.
g/admin/job descriptions/JD – Volunteer Local wildlife Sites Trainee.doc
Role Description
1
Main Responsibilities
This role will provide the opportunity to work alongside Trust staff, assisting the
Conservation Officer (Wildlife Sites) with the co-ordination of the Local Wildlife Site (LWS)
system and providing occasional support for the Conservation Team via varied tasks,
which could include:
1. Collating existing species and habitat information from site files and
providing survey maps using ArcGIS (Geographical Information System)
for field surveyors, for colleagues, or for LWS boundary updates
2. Confirming from surveyors’ reports whether sites still meet LWS selection
criteria
3. Updating and formatting LWS citations, using check lists to add common
or scientific species names as required and annotating designated species
4. Helping to organise, and occasionally assisting with, site monitoring
surveys
5. Maintaining the digital and paper filing systems for site information
6. Helping with mail-outs to landowners for access permission or with survey
results
7. Helping with the administration of Land Registry searches for landowners
8. Replying to environmental consultants’ LWS data searches
9. Assisting with answering general wildlife enquires from the public
10. At times you may be asked to support other team members for example on
site visits or the preparation of reports
11. Publicising and promoting of Kent Wildlife Trust and its work
12. Following appropriate health and safety practice.
Training will be given in specific skills where this is required. This may be provided by the
Trust or by external trainers and may include:
a. Species identification skills
b. Phase 1 habitat survey skills
c. Protected species legislation (licensing for the handling of protected
species is not envisioned)
d. Use of Geographical Information System software (ArcGIS)
e. Maintaining good relations and raising levels of environmental
awareness with the general public and Trust members
f. Short (e.g. three to five day) secondments to other sections of the
Trust
g. Ensuring that the highest standards of health and safety practice and
monitoring are maintained at all times.
2 Skills, Knowledge & Experience
Essential
 Proven interest in the environment
 A degree in a related subject or demonstrable training and knowledge
of ecology.
 Competent in computer use including Microsoft Office
 Good attention to detail
 Good written and verbal communication skills
Role Description
Desirable
 Knowledge of habitat survey methods
 An interest in developing basic GIS skills
 Some experience of volunteering in conservation
 An interest in developing your wildlife and habitat conservation
knowledge
 Happy carrying out occasional accompanied site visits
 A demonstrated ability (e.g. report or dissertation) to communicate
ecological principles/knowledge
Personal Qualities
 A mature and confident approach and the ability to communicate
effectively.
 An enthusiastic approach to wildlife conservation.
 The ability to work both as part of a team and on your own initiative.
 A willingness to work mainly indoors with some outdoor working.
3 Other Considerations
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The trainee role is advertised as an unpaid part-time time placement (see below).
The role is offered on a fixed term agreement starting in February 2016 for 11
months.
We hope that you will usually be able to volunteer with us for at least three days
per week so that we can each get the most from the volunteering experience.
However, we are flexible about when you work (within the constraints of drawing
up a rota) so please let us know if you would prefer a different arrangement.
No person shall be treated less favourably than another on the grounds of sex,
sexual orientation, marital status, race, ethnic or national origin, religion, colour,
age or disability.
Appointment is conditional upon receipt of satisfactory references, a DBS
Disclosure statement is not required for this role.
The Trust operates a no smoking policy
Kent Wildlife Trust is an equal opportunities employer and applicants shall be
short-listed for interview and appointed purely on the grounds of their suitability for
the post as laid out in the advertised job description (subject to 6 below).
KWT aims actively to enhance, wherever possible, the opportunities for people
with disabilities to experience, understand and enjoy the natural environment. All
staff share the responsibility in achieving this. Further information is available
from the Head of People Engagement
Under Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, all staff and
Volunteers have a legal responsibility to:
a. take all reasonable care of their health and safety while at work;
b. ensure as far as reasonably practicable the safety of other persons, whether
other employees or members of the public, who may be adversely affected
by their own actions
c. co-operate with the Trust to enable it to discharge its obligations satisfactorily.
Role Description
4 Work Placement Package
This trainee volunteer role is unsalaried but there is a budget for training and other
work related expenses. The budget includes £100 per month towards travel
expenses to and from your place of work on production of relevant receipts or
authorised mileage claim.
We hope that you would usually be able to volunteer for us for a minimum of three
days each week so that we can each get the most from the volunteering
experience. However, we are flexible about when you work (within the constraints
of drawing up a rota) so please let us know if you would prefer a different
arrangement.
Normal Trust working hours are 9.00 until 5.30 (including an hour for lunch each
day).
The trainee will be offered a package of in-house and formal training tailored to their
needs. Courses may include:
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A programme of Volunteer Trainee Workshops by Trust staff
Kent Wildlife Trust Study Days
Field Studies Council Courses
CIEEM workshops
IT Training in ArcGIS and/or Microsoft Word/Excel
First Aid
5 Procedure For Applicants
Applications
Applicants should complete the application form (clearly and in black ink
please for copying purposes). Please DO NOT include your CV. In your
application, you should clearly indicate how your skills, knowledge,
qualifications, training and experience meet both the requirements of the role
and those qualities considered essential and desirable in a successful
candidate.
The provision of false or misleading information by a candidate who is
appointed will be grounds for termination the agreement without notice.
Applications should be sent or emailed to Dot Hughes, Kent Wildlife Trust,
Tyland Barn, Sandling, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 3BD, email:
dot.hughes@kentwildlife.org.uk. If you wish to discuss this role, please
telephone Alison Riggs on 01622 357867.
The closing date for applications is mid-day on Thurs 7th January 2016
Interviews
Candidates selected for interview will be informed by telephone, post or email.
Interviews will be held at the Trust offices in Tyland Barn, Chatham
Road, Sandling, Maidstone, Kent ME14 3BD on Thurs 21st January 2016