Volunteer Coordinator

TEES RIVERS TRUST

Following a successful bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Tees Rivers Trust is now
seeking to recruit a Volunteer Co-Ordinator to assist the Project Manager in the development of
a full bid for submission in January 2026.

The successful applicant will be joining a small team of dedicated professionals at the Tees
Rivers Trust. Our work covers the entire catchment from source to sea and our projects include
remediating historic metal mine contamination, farm engagement, education and estuary
restoration. INNS control has been at the core of our delivery since our establishment in 2009
and this project will build on the successes that we have achieved in that time.

You will be practical, energetic and confident at presenting in person to a wide range of
audiences. Some lone working will be required, and although we are not an office-based
organisation, you will be part of a collaborative team.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The purpose of this project is to promote and celebrate the natural and historic heritage of
the Tees Catchment. The integrity of the natural environment and enjoyment of it is currently
threatened by an increasing abundance of introduced invasive non-native species (INNS).

This project will take a catchment scale approach to managing a catchment wide issue through a
process of intelligence gathering, direct action, education and restoration. It will slow and
reverse the loss of biodiversity, countryside access and amenity caused by the spread of
invasive plants through the catchment. The project will also monitor and where necessary, aid
regeneration of native flora.

JOB FUNCTIONS

During the development phase the volunteer coordinator will initiate and maintain relationships
with current and new volunteers throughout the Tees catchment area.

This includes the following functions:

• Landowner Engagement: Identify gaps in landowner relationships and key sites for engagement
  within the catchment.
• Work with landowners throughout the Tees catchment, keeping them informed of access
  relating to work carried out on their land and maintain good working relationships.
• Volunteer Training Programme: Perform a survey of volunteer interest and training needs to
  identify priorities (e.g., invasive species ID/basic safety). Gather quotes and availability
  from potential training providers.
• Volunteer Management Set-Up: Identify most appropriate software / app and develop a
  functioning and efficient sign up process. Instigate trial to help gauge system needs and
  identify essential features for later use.
• Community Outreach Preparation: create introductory presentation materials and set up
  informational sessions and meetings with interested groups. This will establish initial
  contacts.
• Volunteer Engagement Planning: identifying gaps in volunteer groups and corporate
  volunteering who are likely to support the project. Create a shortlist of potential corporate
  and local groups to engage with for project delivery.
• Deliver presentations and training to community groups and volunteers to facilitate
  recruitment of new volunteers
• Data Collection Protocol Planning: Collaborate with team members to outline a simplified
  version of the data collection framework. For instance, decide on the data categories and tools
  like iRecord but focus on testing a small pilot area to get feedback on usability and refine
  within the delivery phase.
• Drafting Volunteer Resources: creation of a concise handbook / introductory guide focused
  on key volunteer activities (e.g., INNS identification basics or planting guidelines).
  Materials can be expanded in the delivery phase based on volunteer feedback.
• Organise and lead volunteer groups and community groups, pilot new techniques for
  management such as scything Himalayan balsam, and ‘virtual volunteering’.
• Create and maintain volunteer web pages on the project
• Assess effectiveness and ease of use of available recording systems for general public use
  i.e. iRecord/INNS Mapper.
• Carry out other duties as assigned by the Trust in keeping with the officer’s role