Digital Image Library Volunteer

About Plantlife

Plantlife is the global charity working to enhance, protect, restore and celebrate the wild plants and fungi that are essential to all life on earth. With two in five plant species at risk of extinction, biodiversity loss is now the fastest it’s ever been and Plantlife’s work has never been more vital. Plantlife champions and accelerates conservation action, working at the heart of a global network of individuals and organisations, to influence and inspire landowners and land managers, public and private bodies, governments and local communities. As time begins to run out, Plantlife’s position as the global voice for wild plants and fungi will help to bring lasting and positive change to our natural world – for everyone’s sake.

About the role

We are currently auditing, organising and cataloguing Plantlife images into a new online digital image library. This is an important project that will enable us to use and share images of conservation work, habitats, rare species and key identification features. We are looking for a volunteer to help progress the project by tagging images in our SharePoint image library with appropriate keywords. This will enable users of the image library to find the images we need more efficiently.

We are looking for a volunteer with some botanical knowledge to tag images accurately. The images will be of a range of subjects such as wildflowers, trees, lichens, bryophytes, fungi etc. It is not expected that volunteers should have knowledge in all subjects, but some basic botanical knowledge will be needed.

Note - In line with GDPR best practice, volunteers who we offer the opportunity to, will be asked to provide details of two suitable referees. Please ensure you have known referees for more than 6 months and they are not a partner, close relative, or Plantlife employee. Former or current work colleagues, friends, and neighbours that have known you for more than 6 months are some examples that would be fine.

Location: Home based – this is an online opportunity and is not restricted by distance or location.

Benefits to the volunteer.

You will be a valuable part of our Communications Team and will have the support of a dedicated volunteer manager.

Opportunities to gain experience and skills in:

• Remote working, collaborating with Plantlife staff, and making an impact on an evolving online project.
• Using digital systems, especially a SharePoint image library.
• Identification of wildflowers, trees, lichens, bryophytes, fungi.
• You will be able to increase your knowledge of conservation of wild plants, lichens and fungi.
• As a volunteer you will have the opportunity to take part in training and development opportunities as well as our programme of member and volunteer events.

Key activities

• Using SharePoint and tagging images with correct keywords.
• Researching species to correctly tag images using the pre-determined list of tags.
• Tracking your progress and liaising with your volunteer manager regularly by phone and email to update them on your progress and discuss tasks.
• Completing a Plantlife online induction prior to starting your volunteering.
• Keeping a note of your volunteer time and reporting it to your volunteer manager monthly.
• Attending training and development as necessary relevant to your volunteer role.
• Adherence to the Plantlife volunteer agreement, policies, procedures, and guidelines.

Skills / experience / interests required for the role:

• You will need access to a computer/laptop and the internet.
• Fundamental digital skills such as navigating the internet, conducting online research, sending emails.
• Previous experience of using SharePoint.
• Basic botanical knowledge of wild plants and fungi (all levels of experience considered).
• Comfortable with working remotely unsupervised, but confident to ask for help from colleagues and problem solve when needed.
• An organised and reliable person with a methodical approach to your work.
• Interest in and natural enthusiasm for conservation, wild plants, and fungi, and an affinity with the aims of Plantlife.

Time commitment

This role is for an ongoing project, and we are looking for a volunteer that could give 4 hours per week until 1st December. Days and time of volunteering are flexible to fit around other commitments but will need to be communicated to your volunteer manager to aid project management.

Expenses

Travel is not expected for this role; however, expenses will be reimbursed for any travel we ask you to do based on public transport cost or mileage at Plantlife standard rates for volunteers. Expenses must be agreed in advance with your volunteer manager.