Volunteer & Engagement Officer

**Job title**:Volunteer & Engagement Officer

**Location**: Hybrid based in Pateley Bridge. Working from home, our Pateley Bridge office and throughout the Yorkshire Dales and surrounding area.

**Accountable to**: CEO

**Salary**: £26,500 -£29,000 per annum FTE (£15,900 - £17,400 actual salary). Depending on experience

**Hours**: 22.5 hours per week (0.6FTE). Days/times can be flexible. Possibility for role to extend to fulltime (funding dependant).

**Transport**: You will be required to provide a car but will be reimbursed for business-related mileage (currently 45 pence per mile).

**Volunteer and Engagement Officer**

Our ambition is to reach as many people as possible in our catchments, to teach and inspire them about rivers, and how everyone can play a part in restoring and protecting them. Part of this role will be to find new and creative ways to engage more people across more diverse audiences (public and corporate) in the catchment areas we serve - maintaining and developing relationships and partnerships with key stakeholders and communities

The Volunteer and Engagement Coordinator will be able to engage with a varied audience. They will be the first point of contact for volunteers, corporate and individual supporters, and the general public. They will enjoy the support of a team experienced across all of these areas, enthusiastic to work together on a growing portfolio of projects.

The role will be home based but will work across the Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust’s area and hot desk at the Trust office in Pateley Bridge one day a week. The role requires excellent organisational skills and the ability to communicate with people from diverse backgrounds and experience. The post holder will be flexible, with occasional evening and weekend working. The post-holder will work well both alone and as part of a team of paid staff and volunteers.

This is a great opportunity to further develop your career and experience of working in both the environmental and volunteering sectors, and to join a small enthusiastic team committed to managing efforts to combat climate change, water quality and restoring biodiversity in the Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust catchments.

**Duties and Responsibilities**
- Develop and lead our volunteer and engagement programme across the Swale, Ure, Nidd, Ouse and Wharfe river catchments
- Support project staff by leading volunteering days on a variety of projects
- Support and train our volunteers throughout their volunteering journey.
- Build strong links with local landowners, business, partners and communities within the Swale, Ure, Nidd, Ouse and Wharfe river catchments
- Develop & deliver our corporate volunteering engagement package
- Promote and advertise the Trust’s activities including through publications, e-news, the Trust’s website, social media.
- Act as the point of contact for supporters, volunteers, and members of the general public for YDRT.
- Work with the CEO and Finance Manager to Identify and secure funding to deliver the volunteering and engagement programme from a variety of sources including grants, fundraising events, charity auction and exploring new avenues such as supporter donations, legacy giving, and corporate sponsorship.
- Review and update written materials and documentation on volunteering policy and procedures as required
- Ensure that up to date, accurate records of volunteers and associated volunteering and engagement activities across the Trust are kept, accessible to those who need them and that record keeping complies with GDPR legislation
- Work in accordance with YDRT policies, paying particular attention to Health and Safety policy and contribute to the maintenance of a healthy and safe working environment.

**Volunteer & Engagement Officer Job-holder competency profile**

**Qualifications & experience**

Current driving licence and vehicle which can be used for work purposes -Essential

Experience of working with volunteers or community groups from a range of backgrounds - Essential

Experience of developing, leading and evaluating volunteer, activities and projects -Desirable

Experience of securing funding from a range of sources in a charity setting including grants; experience of delivering fundraising activities - Desirable

A degree in a relevant discipline - Desirable

Current DBS check - Desirable

Experience working on environmental projects - Desirable

**Knowledge**

Knowledge of volunteer legislation and policies -Essential

Knowledge of health and safety processes and procedures including risk assessments and good practice - Essential

A good general knowledge of river ecosystems - Desirable

A good general knowledge of stakeholder groups in the water environment - Desirable

**Skills**

Excellent administrative and organisational skills - Essential

Microsoft Office suite and a range of other database, events booking and evaluation programmes - Essential

Excellent communicator able to work both independently