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Outdoor Learning and Conservation Volunteer Officer - Skelton Grange

Place: Skelton Grange Environment Centre, Stourton, Leeds - West Yorkshire

Why we need you:
Volunteer Officers are a key part of our team, working with young people and the local community at Skelton Grange Environment Centre. You will be trained and supported by experienced project staff, and work as part of a team with paid staff, trainees and Volunteer Officers.

Typical activities for a Volunteer Officer include:
- Running environmental education, play and engagement activities for groups of children and young people on the Skelton Grange Environment Centre site.
- Leading or assisting groups of volunteers on practical conservation tasks, including preparing and organising activities, supporting and training volunteers (including some with additional support needs), looking after tools, refreshments and group welfare.
- Assisting with public events and related activities.
- Working to develop and maintain the wildlife area as an exciting and inspiring location for visitors to get a hands on experience with nature. This will include both development work and routine maintenance.
- Helping with the general running of the centre and the project.

Benefits to you:
We will aim to train Volunteer Officers in:
- Running a range of outdoor education and play activities and events with schools and community groups on the Skelton Grange Environment Centre site.
- All the necessary skills and knowledge to be able to run the sessions, from bushcraft skills to plant identification to working with children.
- Leading a range of practical tasks and events with volunteers on the Skelton Grange Environment Centre site.
- Practical development and maintenance of the wildlife area at Skelton Grange - including habitat management, practical conservation and surveying skills.
-Planning, risk assessing and running safe and engaging activities outside.

The role will give you real responsibility in a supportive environment and aims to support you into being able to run activities and lead groups independently.
As well as valuable practical experience with an organisation recognised for its quality by employers in the environmental field, we will provide you with a range of useful training courses, job opportunity information, interview guidance and references. It's also a chance to do something very satisfying and worthwhile and have lots of fun with some great people!

We will provide expenses to cover volunteer travel costs.

What you need:
We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who are keen to work with young people and to connect people with green spaces.
People volunteer with us for all sorts of reasons: you might be wanting to launch a career in the environment sector, or you may have lots of skills that you are keen to share, or you might be looking for something worthwhile to do with your time.

How much time:
3-5 days per week.
To maximise your experience, and make the most of your new skills, many people aim to complete 100 days of volunteering within 6 to 12 months.

If you are interested please get in touch for more information. We are taking applications on an ongoing basis.

For further details please contact Chris Ensor on 0113 2430815.

Email: skelton@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.