1 x Guide and Events Volunteer - Residential
WDC Scottish Dolphin Centre, Spey Bay
Get the experience and get ahead in conservation with a volunteer programme that
works!
Are you passionate about the environment? Or an excellent communicator keen to inspire all
ages? Or looking to gain valuable experience in conservation and events organisation?
At Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC – previously WDCS) our vision is for a world where
every whale and dolphin is safe and free. We are looking for a dedicated residential guide and
events volunteer to join our team at the Scottish Dolphin Centre, in Northern Scotland, to help
deliver WDC’s objectives.
The Visitor Centre and volunteer accommodation is based in a beautiful location adjacent to a
reserve at the mouth of the River Spey. The largest bottlenose dolphins in the world can be
seen feeding regularly along with ospreys, seals, the occasional otter and a huge variety of
other wildlife.
Your time will be divided between engaging with/guiding visitors at the Scottish Dolphin Centre
and working closely with the Centre co-ordinator delivering the events programme at the centre
and in the local area.
The role will give you essential experience in:
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Delivering environmental interpretation -inspiring people to take an interest and care
for the environment through land-based dolphin watching, presentations, talks and
walks.
Visitor engagement - raising the profile of WDC to visitors and informing them on local
wildlife.
Guiding visitors (Scottish Wildlife Trust nature reserve and historic building) and
customer service (in the Centre shop)
Supporting the implementation of the WDC Centre events programme through:
Events organisation – assisting with and leading a variety of Centre events. Creating
promotional materials, (posters, displays, flyers), developing new ideas.
Attending events and community outreach – manning the stand at a variety of events
to increase awareness of the work of WDC in Scotland.
Developing resources - activities/walks to inspire, entertain and educate people to
support WDC and conservation issues.
Volunteer training – Assisting in training new local volunteers
Presenting evening walks – Creating and leading some of our evening walks through
the year on the beautiful SWT nature reserve
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Research – In the form of 10 minute land-based dolphin watches
We also provide:
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Free onsite accommodation in an area of outstanding natural beauty
£30 weekly food budget per person (volunteers find this more than enough to cover
their needs)
Training and support
Mileage expenses
Check us out online:
www.facebook.com/scottishdolphincentre
www.twitter.com/dolphinsighting
Volunteers play a vital role in the work we do at the WDC, you will be expected to cover all
areas of work and in return you will receive experience in many different aspects of
conservation work.
The majority of this role involves community outreach, interpretation and engaging with visitors,
if you are looking for field experience this is not the opportunity for you.
Opportunities run:
- Monday 22nd February – Sunday 30th October 2016.
- Volunteering 5 days a week, including weekends.
- Must be committed for 8 months in order to gain the full range of experience and to
make a worthwhile contribution to our work.
To apply: (Please note that we are unable to accept CVs as an application)
As we are advertising for more than one volunteer position, should you wish to apply for two or
more positions please rank the roles in order of your preference.
Application packs can be downloaded at http://uk.whales.org/jobs
Further details about the Centre can be found at www.whales.org/scottishdolphincentre
Please return applications to:
volunteers.scotland@whales.org
Contact Lisa Farley for more details: 01343 820339
Closing date: 5pm Monday 4th January 2016.
Interviews: will be held, preferably via Skype or alternatively by telephone w/c 11th January
2016.
Volunteer Role Description
1 x Guide and Events Volunteer - Residential
WDC Scottish Dolphin Centre, Spey Bay
This post requires an excellent command of the English language (both written and
spoken) and the ability to work individually and as part of a team.
Aim:
 Deliver a fun and high quality visitor experience through interpretation and events
at the Scottish Dolphin Centre to help raise awareness of the work of Whale and
Dolphin Conservation
 To support the Centre Co-coordinator in promoting the work of the WDC Centre
through varied events on and offsite, and developing new resources/ideas to
engage and inspire visitors.
Volunteer Role Includes:
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Providing interpretation/guiding/land based dolphin watching for visitors at the
Scottish Dolphin Centre, including daily guided walks and tours of the historic
building, and customer service in the shop (Approx 3 of 5 days per week)
Assist in the WDC Scottish Dolphin Centre shop including, welcoming visitors,
customer service, and stocking shelves.
Assisting the Centre Co-ordinator with the planning, publicising and running of a
variety of events both at the centre and at other sites, targeting all ages and
levels of wildlife experience (Approx 2 of 5 days per week)
Developing
and
leading
new
and
exciting
interpretation
resources/walks/talks/activities and ideas for engaging and visitors to support
WDC and conservation issues.
Carrying out shore-based dolphin, whale and porpoise observations in the form
of hourly 10 minute watches and entering the data into a spreadsheet
Assisting in administration and office work.
Training new volunteers recruited throughout the season
Assisting with the development and presentation of evening walks on the SWT
reserve.
Possibility of assisting the Education Officer with schools visits/talks
Carrying out maintenance work around the centre, including gardening and
painting, as well as other duties as and when required.
To assist with other WDC work as needed.
Essential skills, experience and qualities:
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Excellent communication skills, and able to effectively convey messages to a
wide range of audiences and group sizes
Creative approach to work
Able to work as part of a team
Enthusiasm for the marine environment and terrestrial wildlife
Self-motivated with an ability to work unsupervised
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Flexibility in the workplace
Highly motivated and eager to learn
Good problem solver with a ‘can do’ attitude
Desirable skills, experiences and qualities:
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Full driver’s licence and car – strongly desirable (Mileage expenses will be
covered)
Knowledge and support of WDC and its objectives
Experience of working with or supervising volunteers
Good knowledge of cetaceans, Scottish wildlife and plants
Experience of working with children
Knowledge of computer design software (preferably InDesign)
Experience of developing resources
Good computer literacy, including the ability to use spreadsheets, word
processing, email and internet
Skills you will gain
1 x Guide and Events Volunteer
This role offers the following skills, experience and qualifications:
You will gain qualifications in:
 Child Protection basic Awareness Level 1 qualification
 1 day Emergency First Aid qualification
 BDMLR Marine Mammal Medic Qualification (we will give you time off to complete this
training but you will need to pay or fundraise for the cost of the course)
You will be trained (amongst other things) in:
 Interpretive guiding
 Wildlife identification
 Research – Shorewatch
 Education talks
You will gain experience in:
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Delivering interpretive talks and tours to a wide ranging audience
Shore-based dolphin monitoring
Responsibility of day to day running of shop and cash handling
Organising, running and publicising events for both adults and children
Project management of interpretive projects
Planning, developing and leading a wide variety of events
Developing interpretive resources and leading activities for the general public
Volunteer supervision/training
Assisting in delivering educational activities to visiting school groups
Monitoring Health and Safety
You will gain skills in:
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Effective communication
Public speaking
Strong Interpersonal skills
Presentation skills
An increased knowledge and awareness of cetaceans, Scottish wildlife and conservation
issues
Project management
Team work
Independent work
Leadership
Flexible working
Problem solving
Taking initiative
Prioritising work
Wildlife identification
Confidential
This does not form part of the
recruitment process
Name:
Age:
under
25-34
24
Marital Status:
Single
Widowed
Gender:
Male
Female
Position Applied For:
35-44
45-60
Married
Divorced
over 60
Separated
Other
Do you regard yourself as having a disability within the terms of the Disability
Discrimination act 1995?
“A physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect
on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities”
Yes
No
If you have a disability, please tell us if there are any reasonable adjustments we can make
should you be offered the job?
Are you an EU Resident?
Yes
No
If no, please provide Work Permit Number or Employment status details:
Ethnic Origin
How would you describe your ethnic origin?
White:
Mixed:
British
White & Asian
Irish
White & Black Caribbean
Any other white background
White & Black African
Asian, Asian British
Any other mixed background
Black, Black British
Indian
Pakistani
Caribbean
Bangladeshi
African
Any other Asian background
Any other Black background
Chinese
Any other Ethnic Background
Are you related to any current WDC employees?
Yes
No
If yes please state relationship
Where did you see this post advertised?
WDC website
Environmentjob.co.uk
Have you applied for work with WDC before?
Have you undertaken voluntary work?
If yes, please give details
Countryside Job
Service
Yes
Yes
Other
(Please give details)
No
No