Westonbirt Arboretum - Forestry England
Volunteer Coordinator
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Volunteer Coordinator
Volunteer Coordinator – Fixed Term Appointment
Organisation: Forestry England
About Forestry England
We are Forestry England. We live and breathe forests. Join us to become part of a passionate team who love to share knowledge, create positive environmental impact, and deliver world-class places and experiences for people to enjoy.
Together, we work to:
- Increase access to forests for everyone
- Provide vital homes for wildlife
- Improve air quality through woodland creation
- Produce sustainable timber
Role Overview
Job Title: Volunteer Coordinator Salary: £30,105 per annum Contract Type: Fixed Term (until July 2028) Hours: 37 hours per week Location: On rotation at one of our sites:
- Sherwood Forest (NG21 9JL)
- Cannock Forest (WS15 2UQ)
- Delamere Forest (CW8 2HZ)
Closing Date: 12 July, 23:58
Purpose of the Role
You will coordinate a well-established and expanding volunteering programme across the District, playing a key role in improving community forest access. This position supports 50,000+ volunteer hours annually, engaging volunteers in recreation, land management, and business support.
You’ll deliver a diverse portfolio of opportunities, balancing desk-based coordination and hands-on fieldwork to ensure effective, safe delivery.
Additional responsibilities:
- Support learning and training programs as required
- Align volunteering activities with strategic priorities (e.g., biodiversity, woodland resilience)
Key Responsibilities
1. Programme Coordination
- Work collaboratively with teams in recreation, land management, and business to design, develop, and expand volunteering opportunities.
- Recruit, manage, and liaise with volunteers and volunteer supervisors.
- Monitor volunteer engagement, simplify processes, and ensure compliance with Forestry England standards.
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2. Operational Delivery
- Offer both desk-based and field support.
- Assist with on-site deliveries to ensure safe, efficient, and impactful activities.
3. Strategic Alignment
- Support large-scale engagement goals (e.g., resilience, biodiversity).
- Link volunteering opportunities with emerging environmental priorities.
Person Specification
Skills and Qualifications
- Proven ability to organise, coordinate, and motivate volunteers.
- Understanding of project management principles preferred.
- Knowledge of forestry, ecology, or environmental practices is advantageous.
- Excellent organisational skills, comfort working in a multi-disciplinary environment.
Experience
- Coordination experience in volunteering, recruitment, or community engagement.
- Congregational ability to manage operational and strategic tasks.
- Valid enhanced DBS check (required).
Behaviours Assessed Throughout
- Working together – Collaborating with internal and external teams.
- Communicating and influencing – Inspiring volunteers and stakeholders.
- Making effective decisions – Mitigating logistical and safety risks.
- Changing and improving – Driving efficiencies and innovation.
- Seeing the bigger picture – Realigning volunteering to broader mission goals.
Linguistic Requirements
- Ability to communicate in accurate spoken English as per Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016.
Benefits Package
Forestry England offers a wealth of benefits alongside your salary:
Core Benefits
- Pension contribution: Average 28.97% towards the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme.
- Holiday entitlement: 25 days, increasing by one day each year up to 30 days (pro-rated for part-time staff) plus additional days for bank holidays.
- Discounted shopping via STaR Benefits, including supermarkets, hotels, apparel, tech, car insurance, and holidays.
- Well-being support: Headspace wellness app access and gym discounts.
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Forest-Specific Benefits
- Free parking and entry to National Arboretums: Westonbirt and Bedgebury.
- Rewarding career growth:
- Dedicated career development and learning plans.
- Encouragement toward professional body memberships.
Application Process
Initial Submission
Write:
- A 200-word statement on relevant experience for this role.
- A personal statement (max 500 words) outlining motivations and suitability.
Interview Stage
- Sifting through your application submission.
- Strength-based questions assessed in interview against five behaviours:
- Working together
- [Communicating and influencing]
- [Making effective decisions]
- [Changing and improving]
- [Seeing the bigger picture]
Preparation
- Be prepared to undergo criminal record checks and government security screening.
Accessibility
- If you require reasonable adjustments, email: fcrecruitmentteam@forestryengland.org.uk.
Inclusion and Equality
Forestry England participant of:
- Disability Confident Scheme (DCS): Candidates with disabilities who meet selection criteria are guaranteed an interview.
- Veteran and prison-leaver recruitment initiatives.
- Redeployment Interview Scheme for employees at risk of redundancy.
If any concerns arise regarding fair recruitment, contact: englandhr.services@forestryengland.org.uk.
For further information: See **[Forestry England’s job description](Attached: Volunteer Coordinator_PDF) and review **full benefits and recruitment FAQ*.
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