Borders Volunteer Co-ordinator

Borders Forest Trust (BFT) is a regional woodland conservation charity established in 1996 to bring back native woodlands and associated natural habitats to the South of Scotland and to revive a thriving woodland culture in the region. BFT have delivered a range of community and education focussed projects to engage people in woodlands including: community woodlands, woodland volunteering, outdoor learning/ Forest School education programmes and school grounds environmental improvements. This valuable work provides experiences, health and wellbeing benefits and skills development to people of all ages and abilities while helping them to connect with their natural environment.

The post of Borders Volunteer Co-ordinator will provide a rewarding and varied set of tasks. You will be part of a small and enthusiastic team, so we’re looking for an energetic, people person with a passion for the great outdoors. The role will predominantly involve outdoor work, requiring someone with a mix of skills - exceptional communication, organisational and interpersonal skills - and on the other hand an aptitude and passion for ‘hands on’ outdoor conservation activities.

This is a public facing role that aims to provide a regular presence in our local sites to support local woodland groups, establish new volunteering groups and deliver on aspects of BFT's site management plans.

The key elements of this post will involve:

• Developing woodland-based volunteer programmes to widen our reach and increase opportunities for a diverse range of people of all ages, needs/ abilities and backgrounds to get involved in our work and make a positive contribution to their local environment.
• Forging links and building new partnership relationships with other agencies and support networks in the Scottish Borders.
• Working with local environmental community groups/ initiatives and partnership organisations to support and assist with relevant activities and projects.