Citizen Science Volunteer Support Officer

Closing date for applications: Monday 26th August 2024

Fee: £130 per day – paid on a contractor basis

Fixed Term: 12-month contract – subject to a 1-month probationary period.

Working Hours: 18.75 hours per week (equivalent to 2.5 days) to be worked flexibly but ideally based on core hours Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm, with occasional evening and weekend working.

Working base: Remote within Wye catchment area; must have access to a vehicle in order to travel throughout the catchment. Travel expenses will be covered.

Contract Status: As a contractor, you will be responsible for your own equipment, tax, pension, national insurance and personal and public liability insurance.

Job description

Friends of the River Wye (FORW) invites applications for the role of Citizen Science Volunteer Support Officer, a pivotal position focused on supporting our mission to return the Wye and its tributaries to ecological health. Operating within a catchment-wide network of approximately 150 dedicated citizen scientists, this 1-year, part-time role demands a dynamic individual capable of working independently while ensuring communication lines are kept open with the wider organisation. If you are passionate about environmental conservation and community engagement, join FORW in making a tangible impact on the health of our cherished river ecosystems. FORW welcomes applicants who are job-sharing or on secondment, especially with well-aligned organisations. 

Responsibilities:

  • Volunteer management:

    • Welcome new volunteers promptly and maintain an updated volunteer list.

    • Keep the volunteer list and mapping system current, reflecting new volunteers and trained testing sites.

    • Respond to questions and issues from Citizen Scientists (CSs) in a timely manner.

  • Ensuring good coverage across  the catchment :

    • Assess the scientific needs of the testing network and identify areas requiring new volunteer training.

    • Supporting targeted recruitment of new volunteers 

    • Organise and coordinate quarterly (minimum) training sessions, including logistical arrangements and on-the-day support - note these tend to be evening or weekend sessions so flexibility will be required.

    • Activate new testing sites in the Epicollect App and Wye Viz site list.

  • Equipment management:

    • Ensure central kit levels are maintained (starter kits + consumables).

    • Manage stock levels at designated hubs and liaise with responsible individuals in Hay-on-Wye, Presteigne, Llandrindod Wells, Hereford, and Monmouth.

  • Data analysis and reporting:

    • Weekly Monday review of water quality data with the CS group

    • Regularly review results from CSs across the catchment to identify potential hotspots.

    • Collaborate with CSs to investigate abnormal or problematic results.

    • Communicate problematic results and investigation outcomes to FORW trustees and communications leads.

  • Incident reporting and liaison:

    • Support CSs in reporting problematic results to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and the Environment Agency (EA). This may include coordinating the gathering of evidence on short notice and/or performing initial investigation of such results.

    • Liaise with NRW and EA on ongoing progress of reported incidents.

  • Communication and coordination:

    • Send regular email updates to the volunteer base on a monthly basis.

    • Organise bi-monthly Zoom calls with the volunteers.

    • Arrange occasional volunteer meet-ups, such as a winter gathering, twice yearly.

  • Reporting:

    • Provide monthly reports to FORW trustees, detailing the status and progress of all the above responsibilities.

Qualifications:

  • Strong organisational and communication skills.

  • Background in environmental science or related field (desirable).

  • Experience in coordinating volunteer programmes or teams (desirable).

  • Experience analysing data and managing spreadsheets. 

  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

  • Flexibility to occasionally work evenings and weekends for training sessions etc.

This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute significantly to the ecological restoration of the River Wye and Lugg SAC/SSSIs through effective management and coordination of a dedicated team of citizen scientists.

This position will report to the Programme Manager. Please send CV and cover letter to science@friendsoftheriverwye.org.uk.