Volunteering Team Leader/Supervisor/Administrator

Job Purpose

Job Title: Volunteering Leader

Advertised Salary: £27,220

Location: Remote working, with travel across the regional network required. See our network here: canal-and-river-network

Hours: 37 hours, Monday to Friday (with weekened availability, when required)

One of the UK's biggest charities, the Canal & River Trust looks after, and brings to life, 2,000 miles of waterways across England and Wales, because we believe that life is better by water. Every role across the Trust plays its part in transforming our canals and rivers into spaces where local people want to spend time and feel better, bringing wellbeing benefits to millions every day.

We are looking for a Volunteering Leader to be based within our Direct Services team. Volunteering Leaders plan and deliver a wide range of volunteer activities and events, assist teams in their task management of volunteering activities and liaise with volunteers, volunteer groups and supervisors. They also help develop our colleague engagement with Volunteers as task managers.

The Direct Services team have a limited number of volunteers currently, but are looking to expand as part of their wider trust development strategy. In this role you will be required to understand the needs of Direct Services giving a broad understanding of the of the types and volumes of volunteering opportunities, thus providing the background information needed to develop a programme of volunteer works.

It is a busy role that will involve:

• Integrating new volunteers into local teams; aiding with training and the setting up of PPE.
• Ensuring the H&S of all volunteers.
• Supporting the day-to-day scheduling of volunteering support on key construction projects.
• Aligning with our volunteering teams to ensure correct processes are being followed.
• Supporting delivery of existing work - training will be provided on construction, CDM, enginering, etc .

Location and coverage

Offered on a remote working basis, with a requirement to attend our main hub spaces as and when required for team working and collaborative meetings. Travel throughout the West Midlands & East Midlands waterway network will also be expected to enable site visits and face to face meetings.

Hubs include: Birmingham & Newark.

Travel expected to be 2 - 3 times a week, with working from home/hub options offered . Long distance travelled will be discussed and planned in advance, per team needs. The regularity & flexibility of travel will be further discussed further at interview stage.

See our network map here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/canal-and-river-network

Knowledge, Skills/Qualifications & Experience

Your first 6 months in role:

• Help to identify the tasks where volunteers could help the team. Work with the team to understand the roles.
• Review the skills required against our existing volunteers and look to recruit new volunteers.
• Help to embed the volunteers within the team, train and assist the Task Managers to manage volunteers.
• Identify the skills and role for a Lead Volunteer and help to recruit, train and embed a Lead Volunteer(s) within the team.
• Induct and lead the volunteers and help to develop the volunteer role within the team.

Key accountabilities:

• Provide support to the Direct Services Team in the recruitment and selection of Volunteers.
• Support and advice the Task Manager in the management of volunteers.
• Liaise with the wider volunteering team within the Regions to understand the skills of available within the existing volunteer population and how this could assist the Direct Services Team.
• Liaison with volunteers and volunteer groups to understand their current capabilities and aspirations. Match these skills to the volunteering opportunities within Direct Services and advice on how to best meet the objectives of both parties.
• Assist in the preparation of the volunteer requirements for the Direct Services Team.
• Assist in the development of lead volunteers for the team.
• Management of volunteers in the delivery of works to ensure they are completed safely and to the correct quality, whilst maintaining volunteer satisfaction.
• Co-ordination of staff, vehicles and equipment for the efficient delivery of volunteer works.
• Co-ordination of training for volunteers to maintain and improve skills levels necessary to carry out works with Direct Services .
• Promotion of a strong safety culture to ensure all works are completed with safety as a priority thereby ensuring the wellbeing of staff, volunteers and customers.
• Displaying the Trust values and behaviours at all times.
• Ensuring that diversity and inclusion are integrated into all aspects of Trust life and promoting inclusion by challenging behaviour, practices, actions, or decisions that are counter to the objectives of the Trust's policies and values.

Knowledge, Experience & Skills

It is essential that our new team members can settle in and enjoy the varied work we perform, so you really must love physical outdoor work all year around, and have a genuine appreciation for respecting the needs of nature, environment and our millions of waterway visitors. Our waterways are not just for short visits by day users or holidaymakers, thousands of community members live on our boats all year and you will be playing a role in caring for their home, their space.

It is also essential that you are comfortable dealing with the public, and can respond to the unexpected with thought, care, respect and a positive practical approach. Knowledge of the Trust's volunteer management system and process is preferable.

You might have practical skills and many years of working experience to offer, or you may just be starting out in your career and looking for a role which calls on your practical nature. You don't need to be an expert in any field, but you will be able to demonstrate that you hold the values and behaviours that ensure our customers and visitors know we care.

Technical:

• NVQ Level 3 or BTEC Level 3 in an appropriate subject or equivalent previous experience , desirable.
• Basic literacy and numeracy skills
• Proven experience of working with and leading volunteers.
• Proven experience of delivering works to time, specification and budget.
• Some experience in customer service.
• Basic IT skills - comfortable with modern handheld mobile devices for making calls, inputting information, and use of mobile applications etc.
• Valid UK driving licence is essential.

General:

• Good communicator and have excellent customer service awareness.
• You will demonstrate great care in the quality and standard of your work.
• You will be a good communicator and have excellent customer service awareness - you will be the face of the Canal & River Trust on our waterways and will handle all communication with respect.
• Experience working in a relevant environment - paid work or as a volunteer (outdoors related, environmental related, customer service etc).
• Can work alone on occasions, however thrives as part of a team to deliver a common goal.

It is important that you really love to work with others and get things done through others to succeed in this role. Building and maintaining strong professional relationships is also important and an ability to adapt to diverse approaches and needs of those we work - colleagues and volunteers alike.

To apply: click on the "Apply for this job" button and follow the process - complete the application form & upload current CV.

If you have any questions about the role please contact CRT.recruitment@canalrivertrust.org.uk

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient suitable applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

What We Offer

In addition to your annual base salary of £27,220, we also offer a competitive contributory DC Pension scheme arrangement, and numerous other employee benefits, including several salary sacrifice benefits we are also open to flexible working arrangements. These include:

• Competitive contributory DC Pension scheme arrangement, where we will double your contribution to a maximum of 10%.
• 25 days paid holiday (plus paid Bank Holidays), increasing to 30 days after 5 years.
• Annual £200 personal learning & growth award to spend on any learning related activity.
• Free access to specialist counselling on a range of issues, e.g. health, financial, well-being and domestic matters.
• Access to a range of employee benefits including store discounts, boating holiday discounts and holiday purchase scheme.
• 2 days paid volunteering leave per annum, allowing you to volunteer for a local community project etc.
• Free fishing facilities across our canal network.

At the Trust we care passionately for our waterways, and as importantly, for those who look after and use them. We strongly believe that a diverse workforce brings with it a diversity of ideas, thinking and ways of working which enhances what we do as a Trust. We are striving to represent the diverse communities that we are a part of and welcome applicants from across all sectors of the community.

All candidates will be treated on the basis of their merits, skills and abilities and solely by being assessed against the requirements for the job.

When you join the Canal & River Trust you become a member of an engaged team working to preserve our heritage for future generations. Come and share your passion and knowledge with a team that makes a difference to millions of people every day.

Find out more about us on our website: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us]]>