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Conservation Volunteer Officer

Place: East Village, Stratford, London

Why we need you:
TCV East Village is a new project in East London, with the goal of establishing regular volunteering opportunities, Citizen Science and Family-friendly activities. The habitats around the East Village site, (developed as the Athlete's Village for the 2012 Olympic Games), were designed by world class ecologists and TCV are setting up activities to restore the biodiversity and ecological value, as well as encourage greater use of and appreciation of the man-made habitats. The diversity of the project means that the Senior Project Officer is looking for support to run practical conservation days, develop stronger marketing and communication materials, and support the work to record data and monitor the results of the habitat interventions made by TCV volunteers, using digital resources such as Google Earth to support record-keeping, mapping and zoning of the site. As a Volunteer Officer with TCV, you will gain vital experience in the conservation, countryside management and ecology sectors. VOs will be involved in all aspects of managing and developing the sites habitats, as well as working alongside, and being trained to lead local volunteers. There is also the opportunity to work on community engagement and outdoor education days.

Benefits to you:
Free comprehensive formal and informal training in core skills related to leading practical conservation tasks with volunteers, including Risk Assessment, Safeguarding and First Aid; but also practical skills including basic carpentry, path and step work, woodland and wetland management. Experience in leading volunteer days; an opportunity to help develop brand new educational resources for the site, tailored to different ages and abilities. Opportunities to visit other habitats managed by TCV for on-site training across other London sites. Regular supervision and on-going support to help monitor your progress, and help with personal development. A satisfying experience with lots to learn and varied days!

What you need:
A passion for working with people to improve the environment. The project is as much about community engagement and volunteering, as it is about habitat management. A desire to learn how to make our green spaces succeed as sites for wildlife and people. A commitment not just to the practical work, but to want to support the administrative side of this new project to ensure it's continued success. The next round of funding for this project depends entirely on the ability of TCV to demonstrate how we can both improve the environment, create a site that is demonstrably improved, make valuable contributions to longer-term habitat management plans and engage with a wide cross-section of the community. This is an ongoing position with potential for increased responsibility and further training opportunities for committed volunteers. A DBS check will be required for certain jobs within this role. Please note that this TCV project does not yet have an office, so some working from home will be required.

How much time:
Minimum 2 days a week, including Wednesdays. Ideally with occasional additional support for monthly weekend events, family-friendly events and local Nature Days, but this to be mutually agreed on between the Senior Project Officer and the Volunteer Officer to work around any existing commitments.

For further details please contact Karen Pernyes on 07484990388.

Email: eastvillage@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.