Wildflowers and Fungi of Scotland Facebook Group Moderator

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

The aim of this role is to support the day-to-day running of our Wildflowers and fungi of Scotland Facebook page. The page is a welcoming community space for anyone interested in Scotland’s incredible plant and fungal life. The page exists to help people discover, appreciate, and better understand the wild species that make Scotland such a unique and biodiverse place.

Here, members can:

• Learn about Scotland’s native plants and fungi, including rare or threatened species.
• Share photos, observations, and experiences from walks, gardens, woodlands, and wild spaces across Scotland.
• Ask questions and get support with identifying wildflowers, fungi, lichens and more.
• Explore the relationships between plants, fungi, wildlife, and the wider ecosystems they support.

We currently have nearly 19,000 members on the group already, and it becomes particularly busy from April to September. We are looking for an enthusiastic individual/s to support the running of the group all year round, but especially during the busy summer and autumn season. The role of moderators is to facilitate new members to join the group, report and help reduce antisocial behaviour and comments on the group, direct members of the group to resources when necessary, and direct questions to the relevant members of Plantlife staff. There will be support from Plantlife staff throughout this process.

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.

Benefits

You will be a valuable part of our Communications Team and will have the support of a dedicated volunteer manager. Volunteer Manager: Plantlife Social Media Officer

Opportunities to gain experience and skills in:

• Using social media as a moderator.
• Working with the general public and Plantlife members.
• Building plant ID knowledge.

Key activities

• Regularly (at least 3 times a week) checking the Wildflowers and Fungi of Scotland Facebook group for outstanding tasks and maintaining a Plantlife presence in the group.
• Admitting new members to the group.
• Interacting with posts using the like function and adding supporting/signposting comments as necessary.
• Occasionally posting pre-prepared Plantlife content to the group and monitoring engagement.
• Replying to common questions based on the information provided by Plantlife.
• Checking that comments and behaviour follow the group’s terms of reference, and reporting any issues to Plantlife staff, who will handle any further action.
• Keeping an eye out for great photo and video moments and contacting members to gain permission to share their content on Plantlife’s social media channels.
• Keeping essential resources and recommended reading pinned to the top of the page and up to date.
• Maintaining a regular presence by sharing ‘Fungi/Plant spotlight’ posts, helping keep the page active and engaging. Content can be developed with support from Plantlife’s communications team.
• Occasionally sharing relevant Plantlife posts and events including member talks.
• Liaising with your volunteer manager regularly by email to update them on your progress and discuss tasks.
• Completing a Plantlife online induction prior to starting your volunteering.
• Attending training and development as necessary relevant to your volunteer task / role.
• Adherence to the Plantlife volunteer agreement, policies, procedures, and guidelines.

Time commitment

This is an ongoing and flexible role between 1-5 hours per week. This can be done on any day of the week at any time. We would like a volunteer to check the group regularly (at least three times a week).

Expenses

Travel will not be required for this role; however, expenses will be reimbursed for any journeys we asked 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.