Project Officer (Gardening and/or Conservation)

The Conservation Volunteers; Leicester; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 30,000

Job description

The Conservation Volunteers connects people and green spaces to deliver lasting outcomes for both.

About The Role

We are looking for an enthusiastic and flexible team member to work in either the area of community gardening (Leicester, 14 hours) or conservation (Leicestershire and the National Forest, 21 hours). We hope we will be lucky enough to find someone who can take both roles on as a varied and satisfying full time post, but we also welcome applications from people who wish to undertake only one of the two areas.

Gardening in Leicester 14 hours

Working in a small team, you will be teaching food growing skills across Leicester City to community groups and members of the public.

Your passion for sustainable food growing will inspire and empower local people to start growing their own food, either in their own gardens, or through projects which you will help to develop at community settings such as libraries, community centres and places of worship.

Conservation in Leicestershire and the National Forest 21 hours

Working in a small team, you will be leading groups of volunteers to carry out access improvement, work which improves biodiversity, and countryside skills across a wide range of publicly accessible sites. You will liaise with site managers and landowners to arrange work, and carry it out with the volunteers to the clients satisfaction.

Initially you will be supporting and shadowing existing Project Officers, moving to solo delivery when your leadership and technical skills are sufficient.

Additional job specification: Gardening in Leicester

• You have a good knowledge of gardening and food growing and the enthusiasm to communicate it to others.
• You will be excited about working in the diverse communities of Leicester.
• Having a second language, spoken within Leicester, would be an advantage.
• You are a people person who can make participants feel welcomed and included.
• You will be physically capable of moving bags of compost and tools to event sites.
• You will need to use your own vehicle to transport materials around the city; this could be a car, or a bicycle with trailer.
• You will be able to deliver events, workshops and courses alone after a reasonable training period.

Additional job specification: Conservation in Leicestershire and the National Forest

• Ideally you will have a background in either conservation or practical skills, and a lively interest in biodiversity and environmental themes. Our ideal candidate will have existing practical experience of all of these, as well as theoretical knowledge gained through study.
• You will be able and willing to spend all day outdoors in a rural location, at all times of year (5 hours on site plus loading/unloading the van).
• You will be required to pick up tools from a rural location, and drive a TCV van. You will be physically capable of loading and unloading the TCV van.
• The role will include on-the-job training from existing Project Officers.

Essential Skills And Experience (both Roles)

• You will be a keen, responsible individual, driven by your passion for sustainability and environmental improvement. Your down-to-earth common sense allows you to deal with situations changing on the ground.
• You have a good track record of working as part of a team, but after a period of training, would also be comfortable as a sole leader at an event.
• You have an existing knowledge of gardening or conservation (both if applying for the full-time role) and have experience of these in practice. Ideally, you have existing experience working with volunteers or the public.
• You are excited to work with a range of diverse communities, and ideally have some experience in this.
• You will be able to prioritise and fulfil an admin workload which underpins our practical work. This will include liaising with clients and funders.
• You have a full clean driving licence, and are willing to use your own vehicle for work (Leicester) and drive a TCV vehicle (Leicestershire and National Forest).
• You have a First Aid at Work certificate (or willing to gain one) and are willing to take a full DBS check, as you will be in a position of responsibility.

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process, and you will be asked whether you require any during your application. If you would like to discuss your requirements further please contact the People Team via [e-mail] or by telephone on 01302 388883. We also offer reasonable adjustments on the job.

• A full driving licence is required. The conservation role requires use of a company vehicle.
• This post is subject to an enhanced CRC check.

We are The Conservation Volunteers.

Our vision is Healthier, Happier Communities for Everyone. We believe that green spaces are an essential part of healthy, happy communities.

Our mission is to Connect People and Green Spaces to Deliver Lasting Outcomes for Both.

The opportunity to connect to nature on your doorstep and contribute to its protection should be available to everyone.

The Outcomes Of Our Work

• Environment: Green spaces are created, protected and improved, for nature and for people.
• Communities: Communities are stronger, working together to improve the places where people live and tackle the issues that matter to them.
• Health & Wellbeing: People improve their physical and mental health & wellbeing, by being outdoors, active and connected with others.
• Learning & Skills: People improve their confidence, skills and prospects, through learning inspired by the outdoors.

Join in, feel good.

About The Conservation Volunteers (TCV)

We bring people together to create, improve and care for green spaces. From local parks and community gardens to Local Nature Reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest; from school grounds and hospital grounds to waterways, wetlands and woodlands; we connect people to the green spaces that form a vital part of any healthy, happy community.