Key Volunteers
Nurturing Natural Connection Volunteer Officer
Place: Cumbernauld
Why we need you:
TCV is a key partner in helping to deliver the vision of the Cumbernauld Living Landscape, to create, enhance, restore, and protect green and blue spaces in the town. The partnership initiative, which is led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, has gained initial funding from the National Lottery heritage Fund to deliver the development phase of Nurturing Natural Connections. This project will work with organisations and communities reconnect with nature on their doorstep, creating a resilient Cumbernauld for people and wildlife to flourish.
The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) connects people to the green spaces that form a vital part of any healthy, happy community. From local parks and community gardens to Local Nature Reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest; we work to improve the biodiversity and care for local wildlife, all while making sure people can enjoy and have a positive experience with the work we do.
In Scotland last year we worked with 19,367 people and delivered 13,755 workdays transforming greenspaces for the benefit of communities and nature. By taking part in TCV activities people improved their health and wellbeing, developed new skills, built stronger communities, and had a real impact on the environment.
We are seeking enthusiastic individuals with a passion for conservation and helping others, who are looking to develop their skills, that wish to gain experience in the sector or, who are wanting to make a difference. By giving your time to become a TCV Volunteer Officer you’ll be helping TCV to reach even more communities and improve even more greenspaces for people and nature.
Benefits to you:
Volunteer Officers (VOs) take on roles with real responsibility – including leading projects, creating, and developing relationships with partner organisations (e.g. Scottish Wildlife Trust) and community groups and supporting groups of volunteers working to improve greenspaces.
Being a VO will give you the opportunity to build skills, knowledge, and practical experience and enhance your employability. Many people have used the Volunteer Officer position to gain the experience needed to start a career in conservation and volunteer management.
Following informal interviews in April, successful applicants will be invited to take part in an induction process. Where you will get; an introduction to TCV, to meet volunteers, other VOs and TCV staff and, complete basic training in safeguarding, health & safety, and manual handling. Some elements of the induction may be online, and you will need access to a computer to complete some of the training. We will also organise some workdays for you as an introduction to some of the different conservation activities TCV deliver.
Throughout your time as a VO you will be supported by a nominated TCV Senior Project Officer who will oversee your training and development. You will receive a First Aid training qualification and the opportunity to attend courses on Project Leadership, Safeguarding, Risk Assessment and other training relevant to the specific role.
You will provide you with branded clothing (T-shirt and fleece/jacket), trousers and footwear and, all tools, materials, and safety equipment you will need to carry out your role. We will also cover reasonable travel expenses.
You will predominantly work on projects across the Cumbernauld Living Landscape project area. There will be a wide range of projects you will have the opportunity to shadow to ensure you get a broad range of experience during your time as a VO. These include helping to conduct surveys for garden escapees and Invasive Non-Native Species deliver taster sessions, guided walks, and more.
What you need:
We are looking for enthusiastic individuals with a passion for the natural environment, a desire to help and learn and, who are keen to work as part of a wider team.
You will need to be reliable, organised, and punctual to ensure workdays run smoothly and, willing to help out where needed in order to achieve the outcomes of the project or activity. Many of our volunteers value the social aspect of our activities so it is important that you are able to interact with volunteers in a friendly manner to enhance their volunteering experience.
You do not need to have any past experience of working with volunteers or volunteering in conservation, but we will ask you to demonstrate why you are interested in volunteering with TCV and what makes you suitable for the Volunteer Officer role.
No qualifications are required. A driving license is desirable but not essential for the role.
How much time:
We are looking for a minimum commitment of 2 to 3 days a week, for a minimum of 6 months. We can be flexible in terms of which days it is or if it changes week to week.
The opportunity to be VO for more than one day a week will improve the level of experience you gain, the number of opportunities available to you and, the impact you can have on the environment and local communities.
Please indicate your availability in your application and we can discuss it in more detail during the interview. We will try to be as accommodating as possible and regularly find that people are able to fit being a VO in around work, studies, and other commitments.
For further details please contact David Meechan on 07773200525.
Email: d.meechan@tcv.org.uk
You will be supported in your role by experienced staff through regular meetings where issues can be resolved and guidance provided. You will have all reasonable expenses covered (foreign travel excepted) so will not be out of pocket through your volunteering. You will be insured and expected to comply with the policies and procedures of The Conservation Volunteers.
Where roles will be responsible for others, we need to check your references. When the role involves young people and vulnerable adults, we will need to ask for an Enhanced Disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau, Central Registered Body in Scotland or appropriate body in Northern Ireland.
Many people who work in the Environmental Sector have used a Volunteer Officer role as a stepping stone in their career.
