VOLUNTEER ROLE OPPORTUNITY
Volunteer Role – Guardians of the Deep Trainee
Role Title:
Guardians of the Deep Trainee
Responsible to:
Marine Policy Officer
Kent Wildlife Trust
Kent Wildlife Trust 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 30,000 members, and
have the simple aim of protecting Kent’s wildlife for the future. To this end, we own or manage
some 65 nature reserves covering over 8,100 acres; we campaign and lobby politicians,
decision makers and landowners to ensure site protection and good habitat management on
land and at sea; 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 85
professional and support staff work within five sections of Reserves, Conservation, Policy &
Evidence, People Engagement, Marketing and Membership, Finance and Support Services.
Visit our website to see the range of our activities – www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk.
Role Outline
We are looking for someone to help us in the development of an exciting new marine
awareness-raising project, whilst gaining experience in our Conservation, Policy & Evidence
team.
The Guardians of the Deep project will involve local people in the protection and monitoring of
Kent’s coastal wildlife, and get young people excited about marine wildlife through a variety of
practical learning opportunities at coastal sites around the county. Kent Wildlife Trust has
secured funding from the Heritage Lottery fund to develop and trial activities, build connections
with local groups and individuals, and create a programme of events ready for delivery during
the next phase of the project. Your role will be to support the Marine Officer in these
development activities.
As a Volunteer trainee you will gain experience in intertidal surveys, community engagement
and consultation, coastal environmental education, and marine species identification.
The ability to engage and enthuse people of all ages and from all backgrounds is a vital part of
the role and the successful role holder will have excellent communication skills.
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Principal Duties
During your traineeship you will have the opportunity to;
1. Work with the Marine Officer to identify and meet with community groups and schools
to encourage involvement in the Guardians of the Deep project.
2. Produce information sheets on sections of the Kent coast from the Medway Estuary to
Dymchurch, to include: access routes, site photos, map, tidal information, species
information.
3. Source and cost tools, equipment and materials for the project activities, including
snorkelling equipment and games for children, and shore-based educational activities.
4. Assist in the preparation and delivery of pilot shore-based activities for schools and
community groups.
5. Organise KWT’s existing collection of marine specimens (shells and drift material) for
use at courses, events and for reference.
6. Compile a catalogue of photos for use in the project through searches of KWT’s
existing catalogue and taking new ones where necessary, and organise photos to
assist volunteers in the identification of species found around the Kent coast.
7. Help in the organisation of project steering group meetings, booking suitable rooms,
organising necessary equipment, and take the minutes at such meetings.
8. Update existing health and safety paperwork for shore locations.
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Person Specification
The role holder will have:
A proven interest in marine conservation
Essential
√
Strong self-motivation and an eye for detail
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A mature approach with excellent written and
verbal communication skills
√
Excellent organisational skills
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The ability to work within a team and individually
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Either a relevant environmental qualification or
experience of working with communities and
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Desirable
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young people
Experience of engaging people in marine
conservation issues
√
Appreciation of the Wildlife Trust’s Living Seas
vision and Marine Protected Areas
A current driving license and access to a motor
vehicle
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Understanding of, and sympathy with, the Trust’s
role as a conservation body would be very helpful.
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Other Considerations
1. We hope the role to stretch over 7 months to the end of August 2016, so that we can
each get the most from the volunteering experience and to ensure completion of the
training program provided.
2. 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 volunteer (within the constraints of drawing up a rota)
so please let us know if you would prefer a different arrangement. There is some
weekend work as our Shoresearch surveys take place at weekends.
3. 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.
4. Appointment is conditional upon receipt of satisfactory references.
5. The Trust operates a no smoking policy
6. Kent Wildlife Trust is an equal opportunities employer and applicants for staff
vacancies 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.
7. 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
8. Under Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, all staff 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
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Volunteer Trainee Package Expenses
The role is unsalaried but there is a budget for travel, training and other work-related
expenses.
The trainee will be offered a package of formal training and coaching in specific skills, tailored
to their needs, which may include:
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Site survey and species identification skills
Use of Marine Recorder database
Using QGIS (Geographical Information System software)
Leading groups outdoors
Snorkel Instructor training
Access to four KWT Study Days
Health and safety
First aid
Short (e.g. three to five day) secondments to other sections of the Trust or
project partners
Expenses
We will reimburse certain out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with your
volunteering for us. Details of these expenses and how to claim them are set out
below:
When claiming mileage expenses the volunteer rate of 25p per mile will apply.
Trainees may claim for their travel to and from work. A ₤100 per month cap will apply
unless agreed otherwise with the Section Head. The cost of journeys made on Trust
business during the working day will not be included in the ₤100 cap. The above is to
ensure that we have the maximum budget available to spend on your training
programme.
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Procedure for Applicants
Applications
Applicants should read the Guidance Notes carefully before completing the application
form – clearly and in black ink please (for copying purposes). Please DO NOT send
your CV.
If you wish to discuss this post, please telephone Bryony Chapman, Marine Policy
Officer. Tel: 01622 662012.
The closing date for applications is mid-day on Thursday 7th January 2016
Interviews will be held on Tuesday 19th January 2016
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