Wildlife Discovery Centre volunteer

Details of Role

To help run the Wildlife Discovery Centre (WDC) within the Lee Valley Regional Park as part of a team of volunteers. To open and close the Discovery Room and Tower. The Bittern Hide will be opened and closed by contractors but can be opened and closed by volunteers where necessary. To actively engage with members of the public to:

• Promote all areas and activities within the park.
• Ensure Discovery Room activities are available for the public, including additional children’s resources in the school holidays and oversee the safe use of the activities and optical equipment available for public use.
• Proactively seek new volunteers for the WDC primarily but also for the park as a whole
• Provide a positive visitor experience for visitors to the park · Provide information on what birds and wildlife are in the area
• Showcase the wildlife viewable through the wildlife cameras
• Collate wildlife sightings and visitor number figures
• To re-stock refill the bird feeding stations outside the hide, replenish water for the hot drinks machine and re-stock leaflet displays where necessary.
• To help visitors in accessing the viewing tower lift when required.
• To assist in the credit card sales of hot and cold beverages and LVRPA merchandise.
• To assist with ensuring that the WDC is clean, tidy and presentable to visitors · PLEASE NOTE: THE WDC IS NOT AN ANIMAL REHABILITATION CENTRE – VOLUNTEERS WILL NOT BE HANDLING WILDLIFE.

Personal Attributes

• Able to commit to a minimum of two shifts per month (half days or full days) except for in the case of any holidays / special circumstances
• Outgoing with good people skills
• Confident and willing to interact with visitors
• Willing to work as part of a team
• Knowledge and interest in birds / wildlife (desirable but not essential)
• Happy to follow and implement all instruction/decisions given by LVRPA staff with a positive attitude. Keeping any personal views and opinions about LVRPA separate from your volunteering role and under no circumstances discussed with members of the public.

What’s in it for you?

• Induction and ongoing support provided including information on birds and wildlife you will see, no specialist knowledge needed.
• Uniform provided for periods of duty (after 30 hours of volunteering)

An opportunity to:

• Become part of a volunteer team within a large well-respected organisation
• Develop skills and confidence in customer service and talking to members of the public and use of an electronic till system
• Meet new people and have fun
• Develop your knowledge about the park, birds and wildlife
• To see the diversity of birds and wildlife within the Regional Park at close quarters
• Register up to two vehicles for free car parking within our open spaces car parks subject to remaining an active WDC volunteer
• Attend free volunteer social events and training
• Receive a volunteer discount card giving discounts on LVRPA food, beverages and more (see Volunteer Handbook for eligibility details)
• Receive long service awards (5,10,15,20 & 25 years)
• Be nominated for our annual recognition scheme
• Take part in our annual volunteer photography competition
• claim travel expenses (see Volunteer Handbook for details)

General

To carry out tasks in line with the Authority’s policies and procedures including:

• The Authority’s Health and Safety Policy
• The Authority’s Volunteer Policy
• Volunteer induction pack rules and regulations
• Undertake induction and training and development consistent with your role