Volunteer Coordinator (Cornwall reserves)

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Volunteers are key to all we do at our reserves and in our projects, so we want to make sure we give them the best experience possible – you will play an important role in helping us do this! We know that we are facing a climate and biodiversity crisis, nature is in trouble, but we strongly believe that we can make a difference.

If you’ve got 1-2 days a week to spare this could be the role for you, though you can work flexibly around your own commitments to suit you. The role is approx. 80% online with 20% in person, and the Cornwall Reserves are based around the Penzance Area in West Cornwall.

The RSPB is the UK's largest nature conservation charity! Join our fantastic volunteers who are helping to inspire everyone to give nature a home and secure a healthy environment for wildlife. We will help you gain skills and give you an invaluable insight into our essential work.

What you will be doing:

Your role will be to support line managers in supporting their volunteers, in whatever way they need. This could include....

  • Dealing with queries from potential new volunteers who get in touch.
  • Being the first point of contact for our existing volunteers and answering general queries.
  • We’d like you to help our volunteers gain confidence in using our volunteer database Assemble, though you would of course be fully trained in how to use this beforehand.
  • Lead on advertising new volunteer roles (on the RSPB and external websites and in the local community).
  • Set up interviews with potential volunteers and assist with induction admin.
  • Administrative tasks such as recording volunteer hours and helping volunteers gain confidence in recording their own, registering new volunteers on our database, ordering ID badges and uniform plus processing expenses claims.
  • Championing the RSPBs annual volunteer engagement survey.
  • Attending volunteer steering group meetings (quarterly) and regional/national volunteer coordinators catch-ups (virtually).
  • Helping to arrange and facilitate volunteer ‘thank you’ events, and attending if possible in person.
  • Assisting to arrange volunteer training sessions.

The skills you need:

You’ll be trained in everything you need to know beforehand, and we’ll support you in your role every step of the way.

Beneficial skills:

  • Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
  • You need to be a people person, friendly and approachable.
  • Excellent telephone manner and written communication skills.
  • An ability to motivate/inspire others and work at a team.
  • Creative and forward thinking.
  • Computer literacy.
  • Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a small team.
  • Excellent record keeper.
  • Tact/diplomacy.
  • Happy to work from home or in the office.

What's in it for you:

  • You will be part of a small and friendly team of staff and volunteers. This is a chance to gain experience in working with people of all ages and to learn new skills and develop existing ones.
  • You’d be making a real difference by helping us keep the reserves well supported by volunteers, ensuring they are safe for visitors and well managed for wildlife.
  • You’ll have the opportunity to join our Volunteer Coordinator network, so you can enjoy peer support from others doing similar roles.
  • There is room for development within the role, an opportunity to volunteer for additional days or role-share.
  • You’ll receive full training and support from your line manager.
  • You’d be helping us to ensure that volunteers have a rewarding and enjoyable time with us. It’s an opportunity to make a genuine contribution to wildlife conservation.