This is an exciting new opportunity to work with local communities on environmental conservation. This post is part of a Green Recovery Challenge Fund project based in the Stoke on Trent & Newcastle under Lyme until 31^st March 2023.  The post will be part of the ‘Wilder Stoke: Wilder Newcastle’ Project team and will work with other Conservation, Communication & Engagement staff from Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. The project will work on nature reserves in the City of Stoke on Trent & Newcastle under Lyme to deliver additional improvements to urban green space habitats such as species rich grasslands, woodland, wetlands and heathlands. The project also aims to connect people to their local green spaces through a series of events & activities.

The successful candidate will support project staff to work with local people and volunteers on practical conservation and monitoring work to improve habitats for wildlife.  They will support work with local communities and help them to enjoy, learn more about and take action for nature. The role will also introduce the use of social media and marketing to share information with people about the project.

The nature of the post, involving safeguarding responsibilities, means that the post holder must be prepared to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service check (formally CRB) and provide appropriate references in relation to his or her suitability to work with children and adults at risk.

Responsibilities:

1. Support the ‘Wilder Stoke: Wilder Newcastle’ Conservation Engagement Delivery staff and volunteers to prepare and carry out practical management and monitoring training and work on SWT reserves and other key sites in Stoke on Trent and Newcastle Under Lyme.
2. Support the ‘Wilder Stoke: Wilder Newcastle’ Wilder Communities officer and volunteers to coordinate, prepare, promote and deliver engagement sessions for families, children, young people, volunteers and the wider community.
3. Support the ‘Wilder Stoke: Wilder Newcastle’ Communication Officer to promote the project, events and engagement opportunities by: supporting the production of engaging and visually striking social media content for example Instagram Stories; preparing high quality content that tells a story of the work we do via video, blogs, magazine articles; Help maintain our website, ensuring content is up to date and accurate.
4. Assist with the following: administration, promotion of events, design and production of signs and printed materials. These tasks will be supported by a set of brand guidelines with templates already provided
5. Record session attendance on internal monitoring systems (for example, taking a register and entering the numbers onto our electronic monitoring system).
6. Maintaining good relationships with people the trust works with by supporting them and carrying out work in a professional way.
7. Attend internal team meetings and external meetings with partnership organisations.
8. Raise awareness and appreciation of biodiversity and conservation in innovative ways with people from a wide variety of backgrounds across Staffordshire.
9. Develop partnerships and working relationships with relevant agencies and organisations to protect, promote and manage areas for wildlife and increase engagement with a broad cross section of the community
10. Raise awareness of the work of Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and be an ambassador for the Charity.
11. All staff should recognise the contribution that membership makes towards the running of the organisation. The post holder is therefore expected to understand the need for high standards of service to existing members and recognise their role in contributing towards ongoing membership recruitment.
12. In order for the organisation to work effectively you may be required to assist with other areas of work and therefore you should be prepared to undertake other duties, appropriate to the post, as delegated by your line manager.
13. All staff are required to abide by organisational policies and procedures.

Qualifications

• Full driving licence
• Hygiene certificate+
• First Aid certificate+
• Experience of  practical conservation
• Proven experience managing busy workload.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively with people of all ages, gender, ethnic origin, background and level of responsibility
• Competent IT skills i.e. Microsoft Office package, social media platforms
• Experience of working outdoors in all weathers
• Some evening and weekend working will be required and therefore a flexible approach to working hours is essential
• Job involves  frequent contact with young people and adults at risk, therefore a DBS check will be undertaken
• Job involves some manual handling such as:
  • Carrying, loading/unloading equipment
  • Carrying out tree planting and land management
  • Use of a variety of hand and power tools