Community, Participation & Volunteering Co-ordinator

NATIONAL TRUST; Neath; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A heritage conservation organization in Neath is seeking a proactive individual to lead community engagement efforts. You will work closely with local schools, communities, and volunteers to foster participation in conservation work. Ideal candidates have strong communication skills, experience in community engagement, and a passion for connecting people with nature. The role offers various employee benefits, including pension schemes and flexible working options.

Benefits

Substantial pension scheme up to 10%

Free entry to National Trust sites

Rental deposit loan scheme

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Discounts at various services

Up to 32 days holiday allowance

Flexible working

Employee assistance program

Free parking at Trust locations

Qualifications

• Demonstrated understanding of good community engagement practices.
• Experience in engaging and managing volunteers effectively.
• Strong organizational and planning skills for delivering team priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead community engagement across the portfolio.
• Create partnerships for conservation work.
• Connect schools and communities with access to sites.

Skills

Community engagement understanding

Volunteer management

Organizational skills

Process improvement

Coaching and support

Communication skills

Job description

Important notice

In line with our redeployment policy, we’ll prioritise applications from employees who are under formal notice of redundancy.

What it's like to work here

We’re looking for a passionate and proactive individual to join our team in Mid and South Wales.

The portfolio stretches from the Cambrian Mountains in Mid Wales to Aberdulais on the fringe of Neath and Swansea and further south onto Gower (Britain’s first Area of Outstanding Beauty).

The portfolio's community hub is based at Aberdulais - one of Britain’s earliest industrial sites, now operating as a vibrant community hub. The site features over 400 years of history, including the iconic waterfall, waterwheel, and tinworks. The site is open to the public two days a week with the support of a great volunteer team. You will work out of Aberdulais but reaching out into our communities and connecting them with nature.

We’ll welcome full time and part time applications.

This role is required to work with vulnerable groups including children and any offer of employment or volunteering is subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check.

Hysbysiad pwysig

Yn unol â’n polisi adleoli, byddwn yn rhoi blaenoriaeth i ymgeiswyr sydd ‘dan rybudd dileu swydd’ ffurfiol.

To view the rest of the advert in Welsh, please see attached document.

What you'll be doing

As part of a small team you will lead on community engagement across the portfolio but with particular focus on our neighbouring urban areas of Swansea, Neath and Merthyr - creating valuable partnerships and opportunities for people to get involved in our conservation work.

Our nearby farm (Ty Mawr) is home to a skills hub where we host opportunities for people to get involved in hands on conservation work. You will use this as a key resource in your role and using it as an opportunity for us to engage with our communities on 'their terms'.

You will play a vital role in connecting local schools, colleges, groups, and communities with meaningful access to Aberdulais and our busy access sites on Gower. You will also work with key partners such as our collaboration with St Giles Cymru.

Who we're looking for

Applications from redeployees are assessed against the minimum criteria for the role. In your application, please provide details of how you meet the minimum criteria below:

• understanding of good community engagement and participatory practice
• understanding of good practice in engaging and managing volunteers
• delivers team priorities with excellent organisational and planning skills
• experience of improving and innovating processes, systems and creating new opportunities for volunteer and community engagement
• the ability to coach and support others, and to work collaboratively across teams.
• excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

Additional criteria for all other applicants. You’ll bring:

• a strong understanding of community engagement, participatory practice, and volunteer innovation.
• experience in increasing community participation and developing inclusive opportunities.
• excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• the ability to coach and support others, and to work collaboratively across teams.
• confidence in using data and insight to guide decisions.
• knowledge of relevant legislation including safeguarding, GDPR, and equality.
• a proactive, empathetic, and inclusive approach.

The package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places