About the Trust
We're one of the UK’s biggest charities and we care for 2,000 miles of canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs because we believe life is better by water. We're looking for people who support our cause and want to make a difference for future generations. Could this be you?
Along with our waterways we also manage museums, archives and the country's third largest collection of historic buildings, as well as the nature and wildlife that calls our canals home. All of this enables us to provide wellbeing opportunities for millions of people each year.
Join Our Team: Volunteering Leader (Volunteer Integration Administrator)
** Focus of the role: While not being the daily task managers for volunteers supporting our network, this role will play a key role in logistically and administratively aiding the integration of volunteers into our different local teams. Experience working in a construction/maintenance environment beneficial as to best identify suitable volunteering opportunities.
Backgrounds in volunteering, activities and/or coordination are all applicable.
Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.
We are looking for a Volunteering Leader (Volunteer Integration Administrator) to be based within our Direct Services Construction team. We are seeking new and different opportunities to expand the Trust’s volunteering offer by growing volunteer activities within our construction work. To help facilitate this we are looking to recruit a Volunteer Leader to identify opportunities and areas for support within, and for, our Direct Services construction teams. When volunteering outputs grows within construction activities, we will be looking at ways of expanding the team size.
This will be an exciting but busy role that will involve:
- Recruitment of new volunteers and engagement of volunteering groups, through meet & greets, open days, community engagement, etc.
- Integrating new volunteers into regional construction teams where the volunteer’s day-to-day task management will be; also coordinating inductions and training.
- Liaising with Construction Managers and Site Supervisors to identify needs and opportunities.
- Support with volunteer training, PPE and equipment requirements.
- Supporting colleagues with volunteer engagement and integration within their teams.
- Supporting the day-to-day scheduling of volunteering support on key construction projects.
- Aligning with our volunteering teams to ensure correct processes are being followed.
Working Hours & Location
This role is full-time, working 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with flexible working options available.
Travel will include throughout the Northwest and Yorkshire & Northeast waterway network to enable site visits and face to face meetings with Volunteers (new and existing) Direct Services team colleagues and wider Trust colleagues (e.g. Leeds & Liverpool, River Weaver, Shropshire Union, Trent & Mersey, Peak Forest, Macclesfield, Rochdale, Huddersfield, Calder & Hebble, Aire & Calder and Sheffield & Tinsley canals).
Main office hub for this role: Either Leeds or Burnley.
Travel expected could be 2 - 3 times a week, with working from home/hub options offered. We will make every attempt to focus work activities within a reasonable radius of travel, however, occasionally longer travel distances may be required. These will be discussed and planned, per team needs. The regularity & flexibility of travel will be discussed further at interview stage.
Role Overview
These Volunteer Leaders will liaise with existing and new volunteers and volunteer groups to identify key skills and attributes that will support in the delivery of a wide range of construction tasks. Support could range from Construction site set up, boat movements, administrative tasks, statutory checks, logistical support and more. Volunteer Leaders will also help develop our colleague engagement with volunteers and liaise with, and support, our task managers in delivering the work.
As part of the wider Trust Volunteer development strategy the Direct Services construction team is continually seeking to expand volunteering opportunities and in this role you will be required to understand the broader needs of Direct Services and have an understanding of the types and volumes of potential volunteering opportunities to be able to provide the background information needed to develop a programme of volunteer support.
Your first 6 months in role:
- Help to identify where volunteers could help the teams.
- Review skills and attributes required against our existing volunteers and look to recruit new volunteers.
- Facilitate embedding volunteers within teams by training and assisting the Task Managers to manage volunteers.
- Identify the skills required for a ‘Lead Volunteer’ and help to recruit, train and embed a Lead Volunteer(s) within the teams.
- Develop the volunteering role within the Direct Services teams by identifying continual opportunities, increasing colleague/volunteer engagement and developing volunteer skills.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide support to the Direct Services Team in the recruitment and selection of Volunteers.
- Support and advise the Task Manager in the management of volunteers.
- Liaise with the wider volunteering team within the Regions to understand the skills available within the existing volunteer population and how this could assist the Direct Services Team.
- Liaison with volunteers and volunteer groups to understand their current capabilities and aspirations. Match these skills to the volunteering opportunities within Direct Services and advice on how to best meet the objectives of both parties.
- Assist in the preparation of the volunteer requirements for the Direct Services Team.
- Assist in the development of lead volunteers for the team.
- Co-ordination of equipment and logistics 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 Direct Services.
- 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.
About You
Technical:
- Experience of working with and leading volunteers.
- Experience of delivering works to time, specification and budget.
- 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:
- NVQ Level 3 or BTEC Level 3 in an appropriate subject or equivalent previous experience, is desirable but not essential.
- Basic literacy and numeracy skills.
- 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, however thrives as part of a team to deliver a common goal.
What We Offer
In addition to your annual base salary of £28,470, we also offer a competitive pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and a range of employee benefits. For a full breakdown of our benefits, check out our brochure here: EVP - 1.
Learn more: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/our-benefits
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Our values
We care passionately for our waterways, and as importantly, for those who look after and use them. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone can thrive. We are striving to represent the diverse communities that we are a part of and welcome applicants from across all sectors of the community.
We want everyone to have the opportunity to perform at their best during our recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments - whether for a disability, neurodiversity, or health condition - please let us know what you need and how we can support you. We’ll work with you to make any necessary changes.
All of our jobs can be considered on a part time, flexible or job share basis.
We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role. You are considered disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. We recognise not everyone who is classified as disabled under the Equality Act personally identifies this way, or with this definition of disability. Please do not let this discourage you from applying under the scheme.
At Canal & River Trust, we are committed to fair, transparent, and ethical recruitment practices. As part of our hiring process, we may use AI to analyse applications and support us work more efficiently. However, all hiring decisions – without exception - are made by our hiring managers.
Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.
Find out more about us on our website: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us
