Volunteer Co-ordinator

Purpose of the Role

The Volunteer Co-ordinator will be responsible for supporting existing and new volunteers engaged in the Forest of Selwood Dormouse Recovery Project, funded by Natural England. The postholder will coordinate habitat improvement activities, volunteer recruitment, training and engagement, and support the Project Manager in project delivery, evaluation and reporting. Working closely with the project manager, volunteers, professional ecologists and partner organisations they will coordinate a group of skilled and committed volunteers able to contribute to the long-term recovery of this iconic endangered species associated with deeply historic landscape of Selwood Forest.

Key Responsibilities

1. Volunteer Support, Recruitment and Management

• Develop and implement a volunteer recruitment, training and onboarding programme
• Organise and coordinate a programme of volunteer recruitment and training events, practical conservation days and community workshops.
• Support existing and new volunteers to engage with the project, including with field surveys, habitat assessment, practical habitat management tasks and in working towards licences and qualifications where appropriate
• Conduct high quality volunteer communications
• Liaise with expert trustees, licensed ecologists and external specialists to deliver high-quality training.
• Support the production of a series of training videos covering dormouse habitat survey and management techniques.
• Ensure volunteers receive appropriate health and safety briefings and training before undertaking practical activities.

2. Project delivery

• Work with the Project Manager to plan, coordinate and conduct volunteer involvement in dormouse survey, habitat assessment and habitat management activities in line with project objectives
• Ensure appropriate risk assessments are completed and maintained for all volunteer activities.
• Support promotion of the project through Forest of Selwood's website, social media channels and newsletters.
• Share project progress and results with landowners, volunteers, partner organisations and ecological specialists.
• Coordinate partnership and networking events for landowners, volunteers and partner organisations
• Maintain positive relations with landowners and partners
• Maintain accurate project records and develop recording systems where required
• Ensure compliance with health and safety, safeguarding, data protection and environmental policies.
• Arrange procurement of survey equipment including nest boxes, nest tubes and footprint tunnels and maintain an inventory of project assets.
• Contribute to project monitoring, evaluation and reporting for funders and partners.
• Provide support to the Project Manager and wider project team as required.
• Promote the values and reputation of Forest of Selwood in all activities.
• Undertake other duties appropriate to the role as reasonably required.

Person Specification

Essential

• Educated to at least degree level in biology, ecology, conservation, or environmental science.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle suitable for travelling across rural locations.
• Outdoor First Aid qualification.
• Chainsaw cross cutting and maintenance Qualification.
• BASIS certificate in Sustainable Land Management
• At least three years experience of recruiting, coordinating and managing volunteers in nature based or conservation activities.
• At least three years experience working within a wildlife conservation or environmental organisation.
• At least two experience organising events, training sessions or community engagement activities.
• At least six years experience in practical conservation including hedge laying, hedge planting, and woodland management.
• Experience with delivering externally funded conservation projects.
• Experience working with a wide range of stakeholders including volunteers, landowners and partner organisations.
• At least three years experience supervising volunteers undertaking practical conservation work.
• Two years experience maintaining accurate project records and monitoring information and contributing to monitoring and evaluation reports for funders.
• Experience promoting projects through newsletters, websites or social media.
• Understanding of volunteer management good practice.
• Understanding of health and safety requirements for outdoor activities.
• Awareness of safeguarding, GDPR and equality, diversity and inclusion principles.
• Excellent organisational and planning skills with the ability to coordinate multiple activities simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to motivate, support and inspire volunteers from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective relationships with landowners, partners and communities.
• Competent IT skills including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams).
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a small team.
• Enthusiasm for nature conservation and the recovery of threatened species.
• Friendly, approachable and able to encourage participation.
• Reliable, self-motivated and able to work flexibly, including occasional evenings and weekends.
• Comfortable working outdoors in all seasons and across rural sites.
• Commitment to Forest of Selwood’s values of environmental stewardship, collaboration, inclusion and high professional standards.

Desirable

• Knowledge of dormouse ecology and conservation.
• Good knowledge of woodland management and habitat restoration techniques.
• Knowledge of protected species licensing or ecological survey techniques.
• Experience using GIS, ecological recording software or digital survey platforms.
• Experience delivering presentations or public talks.
• Experience using CRM or volunteer management databases.
• Locally based and familiarity with the Forest of Selwood landscape and local communities.

Location- Hybrid working with regular travel across the Forest of Selwood area
Reporting to- Project Manager, Dormouse Recovery Project

This is a fixed-term, part-time post until March 2029. The post is subject to a three-month probationary period. Some evening and weekend working will be required to support events and undertake practical work, for which time off in lieu will be given. The post holder will be based at home with regular travel to survey sites.

Forest of Selwood is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

Closing date: 7 Aug 2026.