Volunteering Leader

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 with our London South East Operations Team (E14 9ST)

Our Volunteer Leaders:

• plan and deliver a wide range of volunteer activities and events, assist operational teams in their task management of volunteering activities and liaise with volunteers, volunteer groups and supervisors.
• deliver day-to-day works in Operations & Environment, such as general maintenance & repair work. This will include operating waterway control structures (further training will be provided) and tow path repair/cleaning. 

You will be required to work an annualised hour’s system which includes working a rota system including some statutory holidays, weekends and an 'on call' system. 

It's a diverse and rewarding role through which you can make a real difference on our waterways and within our communities by collaborating with colleagues, stakeholders and volunteers to bring volunteering efforts to life. 

Occasionally you may also be required to work in other areas of the region to support delivery of London & South East operations team projects. 

Location and coverage

Reporting to the base in Docklands.

Occasionally you may also be required to work in other areas of the South East.

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 Asset Management 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 Asset Management Team.
• Liaison with volunteers and volunteer groups to understand their current capabilities and aspirations.  Match these skills to the volunteering opportunities within Asset Management and advice on how to best meet the objectives of both parties.
• Assist in the preparation of the volunteer requirements for the Asset Management 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 Asset Management.
• 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.