BART are recruiting to fill a number of vacancies and fixed term project positions over the next year which will need to be filled at short notice. If you are interested in working for BART please register your interest and we will keep you informed as positions are confirmed.

River Chew Community Engagement Officer – Applications by 31st August 2021.

 

Organisation: Bristol Avon Rivers Trust
Salary: C£25,000 (pro rata)
Location: Home Based with travel around the Bristol Avon catchment
Hours: Part Time, 24 hours per week. Flexibility required (some evening & weekend work)
Position type: Paid
Contract: 12-month contract
Closing date: Applications by August 31st 2021
Website: www.bristolavonriverstrust.org
Contact name: Simon Hunter
Contact email: simon@bristolavonriverstrust.org

 

 

Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART)

Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART) is a charity which delivers education, land and river management advice and practical river restoration work throughout the Bristol Avon catchment. We aim to re-connect communities to their local rivers and help them to better appreciate and improve them for the benefit of people and wildlife. BART aims to conserve and enhance the status of our waterbodies for current and future generations.

As such, the Trust is looking to recruit a competent, dynamic and enthusiastic person with experience in project coordination including stakeholder and community engagement. The position of River Chew Community Engagement Officer will provide the successful candidate with an opportunity to join a small but very ambitious team to deliver a wide array of multi-benefit projects that will protect, conserve and enhance the River Chew. You will report directly to the Senior Project Manager.

 

River Chew Re-Connected

Thanks to funding from the Green Recovery Challenge Fund (GRCF), the Trust plans to deliver a suite of work through the River Chew catchment. This project forms part of the River Chew Re-Connected Project and funding from the GRCF will generate momentum and wider support. Providing opportunities for people of all ages to learn about and enjoy the river environment is central to the Trust’s mission.

 

Overall purpose of the job:

The Community Engagement Officer will focus on the delivery of a programme of engagement activities over a 12-month period that will provide opportunities for a wide range of audiences to enjoy and learn about the river environment. Alongside this, you will report project progress and lead on BART’s project communications with local communities, parish councils, stakeholders and project partners. You will work closely with our delivery team to gather existing material in order to pull together two packages of work: community outreach programmes: one for school age children and the other for adults. You will lead on specific elements of this work, including promotional materials and communications as well as raising interest locally.

 

School’s outreach & digital lesson programme – the project will deliver a digital programme of Chew-focussed interactive educational resources for use by local primary (yr 5/6).

River Chew Sustainable Water Usage Engagement Project – the project will Increase awareness, understanding and use of sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) with the aim of helping local communities to reduce the flow of urban rainwater into watercourses. The project will also communicate ways in which homeowners can contribute towards improving water quality in the Chew Valley.

 

Key responsibilities:

As the River Chew Community Engagement Officer, you will be responsible for the following tasks:

  • Develop new digital educational material and improve existing resources and activities to engage people in learning about rivers, including work booklets for schools, interactive games and engaging activities
  • Organise, coordinate and deliver digital activities, presentations and events including with schools and community groups
  • Promote and advertise the Trust’s activities including through publications, e-news, the Trust’s website, social media
  • Deliver community talks, presentations, walks and sit visits promoting BART’s work and raising awareness of out rivers.
  • Provide support to the project delivery team
  • Deliver online interactive sessions for schools
  • Produce high quality communications all about the project – e.g. website articles, blogs, social media posts, videos, press releases
  • Develop and maintain strong working relationships with local organisations, including schools and community groups, network of parish councils, working in partnership to enhance nature conservation and developing opportunities for people of all ages to get involved
  • Keep accurate records of all educational services provided, including evaluations and contact details of participating organisations and individuals
  • Gather feedback from participants to monitor and evaluate activities.
  • Promote the work of the Trust and partners in the course of day-to-day activities and present a positive and welcoming image of the Trust to everyone
  • Implement rigorous safeguarding and health & safety procedures.
  • You may be required to carry out other duties and tasks as required from time to time for the efficient operation of the Trust.

The post holder will be home based with travel throughout the Chew Valley and the Bristol Avon catchment. The post holder will report directly to the Head of Operations.

 

Candidate Profile

Essential

  • Fulfil all relevant Health & Safety and Child/ Vulnerable Adult Protection requirements and obtain a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check
  • Experience in a relevant role – e.g. planning and leading wildlife conservation activities for communities, planning and delivering a learning programme for schools.
  • Passion for river wildlife and environmental conservation.
  • A confident and clear communicator with experience in communicating with a variety of stakeholders and groups.
  • Self-motivated and work well collaboratively towards shared team outcomes.
  • Experience working with people from a wide range of age groups, abilities and backgrounds.
  • Excellent communication skills, verbally, visually and in writing, appropriate to location, audience and circumstance.
  • Ability to manage workload effectively and prioritise tasks to demanding timelines.
  • Ability to implement organisational policies especially around safeguarding and health and safety.
  • Experience using office software including email, videoconferencing, MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
  • Friendly and professional demeanour; able to represent the trust in a variety of situations including with funders, schools and communities.
  • Implement rigorous safeguarding and health & safety procedures and lead by example in prioritising health and safety and wellbeing by taking responsibility for yourself participants’ volunteers and colleagues. You shall comply with Bristol Avon Rivers Trust’s Health & Safety and Safeguarding policies and defined standards at all times.
  • Any other reasonable duties as required by BART.

 

Desirable

  • Knowledge of the Bristol Avon Catchment and in particular the River Chew
  • Experience of citizen science data collection and environmental monitoring.
  • Experience recruiting and supporting volunteers.
  • Experience running activities for school groups.
  • Experience producing publicity and media communications (e.g. writing website content, social media posts and press releases).
  • Experience of project budget management and reporting.
  • Track record of identifying, applying for and securing external funding

 

General Notes

  • The position will be working from home with travel around the Bristol Avon Catchment.
  • Extensive travel around the Bristol Avon Catchment may be necessary therefore a current driving licence and access to a vehicle is essential.
  • This position will from time to time require work during some evenings, weekends and public holidays. A time-off in lieu system is operated by the Trust.
  • We expect you to carry out your job responsibilities in an environmentally aware manner, ensuring as little damage to the environment as possible. Our aim is to ensure all resources are utilised effectively and efficiently. You will be expected to apply ‘sound value for money’ principles and follow green procurement guidelines in undertaking purchasing or supply of goods and services.
  • You may be required to carry out other duties and tasks as required from time to time for the efficient operation of the Trust. This will include travelling to different locations and projects in the catchment and supporting a dynamic team of river professionals.

 

Interested parties should submit a CV and a one page covering letter explaining why they might be suitable for the position. These should be sent to: simon@bristolavonriverstrust.org

 

Interviews for this post will take place during September 2021 (date TBC) in Bristol.

 

Please note, due to limited resources you will only be contacted should you be successful in gaining an interview. We would like to thank you for your interest in this position.

 

Thank you for your interest in applying for a role with the Bristol Avon Rivers Trust