MARLENS Volunteer & Community Development Officer

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North Somerset Council are working in Partnership with MARLENS.

The successful candidate will be seconded to work with/for MARLENS.

Clevedon Marine Lake is owned by North Somerset Council but leased to and run by MARLENS (Marine Lake Enthusiasts). MARLENS are a charity who rely on donations and the fees paid by lake users.

The Marine Lake was built in 1929. It later fell into disrepair and a major project was undertaken in 2015 to make it fit for purpose for use as a recreational facility. Since then the lake has proved a huge success - both in terms of the range of users who derive huge benefit (swimmers, sailors, model boat users, SUPs etc) and the role it plays as part of Clevedon's historic seafront enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of local people and tourists each year.

MARLENS' charitable purpose is to provide recreational facilities to benefit people's wellbeing especially those more in need because of their age, a disability, financial hardship, or social circumstances. It aims to help the lives of young people and to secure, preserve, protect, develop and improve the features of historic or public interest in relation to Clevedon Marine Lake and its surrounding area.

The popularity of the lake has grown significantly post-COVID and we wish to develop our charity's capacity and capability as the scale of the operation increases.

About the role

This appointment is for fixed term of 12 months and has been enabled by funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (Heritage Fund).

Reporting to the Business Development Manager, deliver volunteer, community, and audience development elements of the Heritage Fund project to build resilience for the future management of Clevedon Marine Lake.

• In consultation with key stakeholders draft an Audience Development Plan (that will be a key foundational document for the overall business plan). This must align with the charitable purpose of the organisation, which has a focus on young people and those in need due to a disability, financial hardship or social circumstances, while being accessible to other interest groups.
• As part of the Audience Development Plan, draft an Equality Impact Assessment, identifying barriers to access and any mitigating actions.
• Develop the charity's policies, procedures and processes for working with volunteers in an accordance with the Business Development Plan. .
• Review the current volunteer structure and develop new volunteering opportunities, role profiles identifying key areas of responsibility to support the recruitment and engagement with new volunteers.
• Work closely with groups from the local community, building strong local partnerships to explore how they can be involved in the lake now and in the future.
• Develop, test and start to implement an exciting plan of activity and engagement that is relevant and accessible to a more diverse groups of people, including how people engage with the Lake as a heritage site as well as an amenity/recreational site.
• Develop and deliver a specific programme of activity to support young people's mental health and wellbeing.
• Work with local interest groups to ensure the environmental impact of the use of the lake is aligned with the Environmental Policy of the charity.
• Work with local schools and other education settings to understand the potential for formal and informal learning. Pilot and develop resources.
• Train and coach Trustees and volunteers as appropriate to increase confidence to work with different audience groups and embed best practice, ensuring that community/volunteer work is resourced in the business plan.

Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.

Home working will be required along with the ability to be based at North Somerset Council Office base in Clevedon and at Marine Lake. The successful candidate will be required to attend meetings outside of normal office hours as well as attend Marlens led events.

About you

The post holder must have:

• Experience of community and volunteer development in the heritage/relevant sectors.
• Experience of having written and implemented audience development/community engagement plans - especially if this has been part of a Lottery funded project.
• Excellent understanding of good practice in community engagement and involvement as well as broader partnership working.
• Experience of innovation in volunteering/community.
• Experience of people leadership and management (either paid staff or volunteer management).
• Hands on successful experience of working with volunteers, communities and diverse audiences to deliver community projects.
• Good knowledge of relevant legislative requirements relating to the role and emerging trends.
• Experience of gathering audience insight i.e. desk-based research and other means such as surveys and focus groups.
• Clear analytical skills and ability to write evidence-based action plans.
• Ability to work collaboratively and build strong relationships with a range of stakeholders.
• Good written and presentation skills.
• Ability to lead and coach others whilst also being highly collaborative.
• High level of organisational skills and bring energy to work on own initiative.

Want to know more and apply?

For an informal discussion, please email bookkeeper@marlens.org.uk .

Anticipated interview date: 1 st or 2 nd August 2024.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role.

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

North Somerset Council - Open, Fairer, Greener.

Please note: We are currently only accepting applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK.

National Lottery Heritage Fund

Clevedon Marine lake - Fit for the Future is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to fund development work to ensure the long-term viability of the lake so that a wide variety of people can continue to visit and benefit from this special place.