Work With Us

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In order to ‘kickstart’ the process we are looking for a WWS Coordinator who can develop and coordinate our new Mid Devon Wildlife Warden Scheme. The applicant should have a basic knowledge of practical ecology and be good at working with people of all ages and backgrounds. The role will also require good administrative and organisational skills which includes record-keeping and managing the volunteer parish wardens. A key aspect of the role will be to lead the establishment and development of the WWS with support from members of the project steering group.

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Main duties and responsibilities

Communication: Communicating with people who are, or want to be, Wildlife Wardens (please see the accompanying document describing the scheme). Organisation: Arranging a variety of training sessions working with members of local wildlife conservation organisations/groups also ecologists/naturalists who all have relevant knowledge and have offered to help train our Wildlife Wardens. Building Capacity: Organising training days and finding training venues for a wide range of nature conservation activities. This would include nature reserves, open spaces or privately owned land. The role would involve liaising with the Teignbridge WWS Coordinator to share best practice in developing the scheme across Mid Devon. Record-keeping: The Coordinator would liaise with Devon Biodiversity Record Centre, and other experts on finding the best way of recording species, habitats, planning issues and work completed. A key aspect of the role will be to help Wildlife Wardens to maintain good quality records. Publicity: Publicising our achievements and appealing for more help through social media, newspapers, local TV and local radio.

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Role requirements

Contract: The role is on a self-employed basis, working under a contract for services. The person will be responsible for paying their own National Insurance and tax and will not have employment rights such as holiday or sick pay. Work done and expenses incurred will be re- imbursed on submission of an itemised monthly invoice. The budget for this role is £6,000 (1 day per week, 12 months @ £30,000).

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Location: Working from home and have the ability to operate within the Mid-Devon area with the means to travel to parishes.

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Contract term: A fixed term contract for one year with the possibility of extension subject to continuation of funding. We envisage that the role will require approximately one day per week which is flexible. A minimum of 4 weeks’ notice to voluntarily terminate the contract is required from either party.

 

Financial constraint: The Scheme has funding for this role to cover the first twelve months and it is essential that the Coordinator operates within strict budget constraints.

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Relationships: Regularly report to the project steering group or appointed individual. Importantly, the role will require working with a range of stakeholders which include local communities, parish councils, local authority and Devon Wildlife Trust.

 

Person specification

Knowledge, skills and attributes Essential:

• Creative person, able to find new ways of engaging with people from all backgrounds and of all ages, reaching out to new audiences, to deepen their connection with nature and the outdoors.

• Relevant qualification such as a degree or diploma in ecology, biology or environmental management.

• Hard working and organised. Able to prioritise across multiple work streams and take on tasks from conception to completion.

• Excellent people and influencing skills, able to engage confidently both formally and informally with diverse groups of people.

• Excellent team worker but also self-motivated and able to work unsupervised.  Knowledge of nature and its importance in people’s everyday lives.

• Thorough understanding and implementation of health and safety and risk assessment procedures.

• Good level of computer literacy and experience of the MS Office suite. Experience of using of social media platforms used by different age groups.

• UK Driving licence and ability to travel throughout the project area.

• Using own business equipment, such as a computer.

• Ability to work evenings and weekends as the role requires.

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Desirable:

• Ability to use digital media (and other marketing channels) effectively.  Ecological identification skills.

• A knowledge of the Mid-Devon natural landscape.

• Essential experience:

• Organising training to support ecological survey and practical conservation tasks.

• Arranging and delivering wide ranging and engaging activities with members of the public of different ages and abilities.

• Working in the nature conservation sector.

• Experience of working with volunteers and an understanding of their needs and motivation.

• Knowledge of budgeting and monitoring financial spend.

• Working within the charitable and voluntary sectors.

• Time management.

• Project management.

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Desirable experience:

• Working with contractors.

• Participation in multi-partner project delivery.

 

The budget for this role is £6,000 for one day per week (pro rata £30,000 per annum).

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Closing date for applications is 14th April 2022

 

Please send a covering letter explaining why you are interested in the role and a full CV by email to the following address: newprosperitydevon [at] gmail.com

 

It is anticipated that the interviews will be on 27th April 2022 by Zoom. Any further enquiries please contact Andrew Birnie by email at newprosperitydevon [at] gmail.com

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Project Partners and Funders

The Mid Devon Wildlife Wardens Scheme (WWS) is led by New Prosperity Devon with Sustainable Crediton, Sustainable Tiverton and Mid Devon Wildlife. It is funded by the National Lottery Together for Our Planet Fund, and Devon Locality Fund.