Volunteering & Community Officer - Woodbridge

TN United Kingdom; Woodbridge; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000

Job description

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Volunteering & Community Officer - Woodbridge, Woodbridge

Client:

The National Trust

Location:

Woodbridge, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

EU work permit required:

Yes

Job Reference:

8015c558566e

Job Views:

4

Posted:

28.03.2025

Expiry Date:

12.05.2025

Job Description:

Volunteering & Community Officer - Woodbridge

Summary

This is an opportunity to join the team at Orford Ness as our Volunteer and Community Officer, engaging with our visitors, volunteers, local communities and stakeholders about the impact of disturbance to wildlife, particularly Lesser Black-backed Gulls. You’ll build strong relationships along the river, sharing your love of conservation to highlight the importance of this fragile nesting community.

You’ll also be the property’s volunteer lead, recruiting, inspiring and motivating the volunteers that are so essential to our work.

This role is required to work with vulnerable groups including children and any offer of employment or volunteering is subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check.

What it's like to work here

Wild, remote, and exposed, Orford Ness is ranked as among the most important shingle features in the world, where rare and fragile wildlife thrive. Nationally and internationally recognised for its wildlife, it also has a fascinating history as a secret 20th century military testing facility.

What you'll be doing

You will be based at Orford Ness, devising, and delivering an engagement programme around the protection and monitoring for Lesser black-backed gulls, a species amber listed in the UK Birds of Conservation Concern. Working alongside a LBBG Ranger and a team of volunteers, you will create and deliver an effective engagement campaign to support the working of increasing the breeding population of gulls on Orford Ness, including an enhanced presence during the breeding season.

You will play a key role delivering strong messaging to promote the work being undertaken to increase protection for this important species alongside the wider work on Orford Ness and within the National Trust. You’ll be able to convey conservation messaging in an engaging manner and have a real interest in ensuring the protection of wildlife.

You’ll play a key and proactive role in leading for volunteering on Orford Ness, working with regional and national colleagues to promote volunteering opportunities, recruit and manage a team of volunteers and act as a first point of contact for all volunteering matters.

You'll work as part of the property Duty Management team, including weekend and Bank Holiday working on a rota basis. Due to the location of the site you’ll need to be comfortable working on/near water and be happy to train towards boating qualifications (if not already held).

Who we're looking for

We'd love to hear from you if you’re:

1. an excellent communicator with excellent written and verbal communication skills and experience of engaging with a wide variety of audiences
2. able to show experience of working with visitors and be able to think on your feet to resolve issues on the spot
3. able to work well as part of a close-knit team, using your skills to work with other departments, ensuring our community engagement strategy aligns with our operational needs
4. able to represent the Trust externally, building good relationships with the local community and key stakeholders
5. confident on and around water
6. hold a full UK Driving licence
7. experienced in creating and delivering partnership and community engagement plans
8. experienced in working with members of the public and volunteers

The package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary

Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)

Rental deposit loan scheme

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts

Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.

Flexible working whenever possible

Employee assistance programme

Free parking at most Trust places

Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.