Careers in conservation & the environment

Volunteer Coordinator – Living Springs – Whakaraupō | Lyttelton Harbour

Website Living Springs

Salary: $30.00 p/hr
Part-time (24hrs/wk), Fixed-term Contract for 12 months

Introduction

Living Springs was established in 1972 and has celebrated 50yrs of operation at the head of Whakaraupō/ Lyttelton Harbour. Known principally as a Camp/Convention Centre it is also a significant landowner with approximately 400 hectares of indigenous forest and pastoral farmland flowing down from rocky outcrops at the crater rim to moderate hills and wetlands at sea level.

In recent years it has become a leader in environmental restoration within the Harbour region and combined with its hosting of several thousand young people each year it is in a unique position to engage the next generation with the wonders of the natural environment.

Living Springs delivers a variety of conservation work primarily based at Living Springs.

There has been considerable momentum over the last three years to improve biodiversity at Living Springs. We have planted over 67,000 native seedlings. We are also working towards a Predator Free Allandale valley with the support from our local community. Our long-term vision is to become an Eco-Sanctuary/ Reserve within Whakaraupō.

Summary Statement

As Volunteer Coordinator you will be responsible for contributing to biodiversity outcomes through engaging with volunteers and community landowners who look to participate in environmental activities.

Your role will consist of two main objectives:

  1. Developing and building upon our existing volunteer community.
  2. Working in the Allandale valley with community landowners supporting them with invasive pest/plant control.

You will work closely with other field staff, volunteers, managers, and environmental partners to perform conservation activities.

The ideal candidate will need to be organised, with good communication and leadership skills and have experience working outdoors in variable weather conditions. This role will suit a self-motivated person with a strong work ethic and a good level of fitness. Someone that can operate well both in an isolated environment and as part of a team. They must have a strong community focus. Onsite training will be provided as required for the employee to be successful in their work duties.

Key Responsibilities

As a Volunteer Coordinator, your work will include:

Volunteer Community

  • Recruit, train and mentor volunteers who wish to take part in protection and restoration of the environment. This may include volunteers who are trapping, planting, weeding, track cutting, monitoring or general maintenance tasks.
  • Organise and deliver F/N volunteer days, where volunteers can RSVP and take part in conservation activities on a regular basis with other volunteers. Must include Health & Safety briefings and onsite teaching of activities and supervision while onsite.
  • Organise and provide logistical support to volunteers who perform their trap lines monthly. May include drop offs, resource sharing, safety awareness and radio check ins.
  • Monthly email updates to volunteer teams with progress and notices, this also includes a monthly board report on volunteer activities.
  • Manages volunteer safety on field days, safety training and reporting of incidents/ accidents. Must have a strong ethos towards safety compliance.
  • Associated administrative tasks related to volunteers working at Living Springs. Such as sign off on training days, competency checks and induction paperwork.
  • Develop Volunteer rosters and schedules to coordinate work across all conservation activities. Such as Trapping day, weed control day, track work and monitoring activities.

Predator Free Allandale Project

  •  Oversee delivery and leadership of the Predator Free Allandale initiative.
  • Engaging with local landowners wishing to join the Predator Free Allandale Initiative and inducting them into the programme.  Which includes education, training and ongoing support to remove invasive pests.   May include regular updates to landowners with observations and learnings.
  • Being the face of Living Springs and representing to the local community a passion for seeing biodiversity flourish on our shores.

Equipment Management

  • Ensuring care, maintenance and safe operation of vehicles, trailers, tools, equipment and technology.

Safety and Wellbeing

  • Maintain a strong focus on Health and Safety Workplace by setting high safety standards and contributing to a positive safety culture.
  • Contribute to a strong safety culture to achieve Living Springs goal of no major injuries.
  • Respond within approved procedures in the case of an accident or emergency.
  • Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to undertake tasks safely and efficiently.
  • Contribute to ongoing safety improvements such as SOP’s and risk assessments and mitigation measures.

General  

  • Work in accordance with Living Springs Policies & Procedures and the Employee Code of Conduct.
  • Actively contributes to maintaining team morale, motivation and positivity.
  • Exhibit high standards of professional and personal behavior.
  • Are police vetted and complete a successful Pre-Employment Health declaration.
  • Consistently looking for improvement and sharing new ideas to improve quality and efficiency.

Essential Experience

  • Proven leadership skills
  • Communication skills (verbal & written)
  • Good fitness and health
  • Previous experience with conservation work
  • Passionate about conservation
  • Knowledge of Mātauranga Māori and kaitiakitanga
  • Proven ability to work cooperatively as part of a team
  • Good work ethic and reliability
  • Computer literacy.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

  • Safe operation of equipment and tools
  • First Aid Certificate
  • 4WD/ Quad or Side by Side experience
  • Grow safe (herbicides use)
  • Trapping and Toxin qualifications or relevant experience
  • GIS experience (mapping skills).

Applicants for this position should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa.

To apply, please email a copy of your CV and cover letter to heba@livingsprings.co.nz

Visit our website www.livingsprings.co.nz to find out more about our organisation and the mahi that we are doing.

The closing date for applications is Thursday, 20 February 2025.

 

To apply for this job email your details to heba@livingsprings.co.nz.