Volunteering Leader, Operations and Environment

Job Purpose

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 currently have an opportunity for a V****olunteering Leader within our dynamic and enthusiastic West Midlands operations team, based at Minerva Wharf, covering the Walsall/Wolverhampton canal networks.

Volunteering 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. Volunteering Leaders are also tasked with delivering day-to-day works in Operations & Environment, such as general maintenance & repair work. This may include operating Waterway Control Structures (further training will be provided), planned maintenance and reactive works.

The post holder will be required to work an annualised hour’s system which includes working any 5 days out of 7 rota'd system including statutory holidays, weekends and an 'on call' system. It is a busy role, and whilst much of the past year has resulted in many of our activities and plans being paused, we have a full 2023 plan to deliver for the Trust through our volunteering efforts.

Knowledge, Skills/Qualifications & Experience

As a Volunteering Leader you will report directly to the Area Operations Manager, and work closely with not only volunteers, but operational team colleagues across the wider West Midlands team as you plan, assist, deliver and manage successful volunteer activities and events in 2023 and beyond.

Key accountabilities:

Leadership:

• Management of volunteers in the delivery of works to ensure they are completed safely and to the correct quality, whilst maintaining volunteer satisfaction.
• Liaison with volunteers and volunteer groups to understand their current capabilities and aspirations, using this to plan appropriate works in conjunction with the programmes of work with the customer operations team.
• To understand the needs of the waterways, both operationally and strategically, giving a broad understanding of the types and volumes of work available, thus providing the background information needed to develop a programme of volunteer works.
• 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 on the waterway.
• 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.

Maintenance/Repair:

• Working outside, carry out maintenance and repair works to the waterway infrastructure, to maximise network availability.

• Provide customer service through operation of the Trust’s assets (e.g. locks and bridges) in a safe and timely manner.

• Undertake key duties associated with the maintenance of the waterway and waterside eg towpath improvement work from repairs to litter removal.

• To protect the natural and historic environment associated with the waterways by ensuring their consideration during all works.

• Provide a first level of response for reactive works to ensure the safety of customers and the availability of the network, participating in an on-call rota as required.

Safeguarding:

• 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:

• NVQ Level 3 or BTEC Level 3 in an appropriate subject or equivalent previous experience.
• Proven experience of working with and leading volunteers.
• Proven experience of delivering works to time, specification and budget.
• Some experience in customer service.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Some experience in line management is desirable but not essential.
• Valid UK driving licence (held min 3 years) as you will be expected to drive company liveried vehicles from time to time.
• Proficient in the use of a personal computer, phone, and business applications software e.g. MS Office.

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 with - colleagues and volunteers alike.

To Apply:  click on the "Apply for this job" button and follow the process - complete the application form & upload current CV. If you have any questions about the role please contact CRT.recruitment@canalrivertrust.org.uk

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient suitable applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

What We Offer

In addition to your annual base salary of £25,402, we also offer a competitive contributory DC Pension scheme arrangement, and numerous other employee benefits, including several salary sacrifice benefits we are also open to flexible working arrangements. These include:

• Competitive contributory DC Pension scheme arrangement, where we will double your contribution to a maximum of 10%.
• 25 days paid holiday (plus paid Bank Holidays), increasing to 30 days after 5 years.
• Annual £200 personal learning & growth award to spend on any learning related activity.
• Free access to specialist counselling on a range of issues, e.g. health, financial, well-being and domestic matters.
• Access to a range of employee benefits including store discounts, boating holiday discounts and holiday purchase scheme.
• 2 days paid volunteering leave per annum, allowing you to volunteer for a local community project etc.
• Free fishing facilities across our canal network.

At the Trust we care passionately for our waterways, and as importantly, for those who look after and use them. We strongly believe that a diverse workforce brings with it a diversity of ideas, thinking and ways of working which enhances what we do as a Trust. We are striving to represent the diverse communities that we are a part of and welcome applicants from across all sectors of the community.

All candidates will be treated on the basis of their merits, skills and abilities and solely by being assessed against the requirements for the job.

When you join the Canal & River Trust you become a member of an engaged team working to preserve our heritage for future generations. Come and share your passion and knowledge with a team that makes a difference to millions of people every day.

Find out more about us on our website: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us