Woodland Wellbeing Engagement Officer

Applications are invited for this new project, funded by Pembrokeshire County Council SPF Fund,
to coordinate the delivery of a wide-ranging woodland wellbeing across Pembrokeshire, reaching
communities through wellbeing sessions, training courses and volunteering events. You will work
with project partners and create partnerships with individuals, communities and providers to
engage a diverse range of participants across the Local Authority.

Post Title: Woodland Wellbeing Engagement officer

Salary: £26,748 (pro rata, 1.5 days a week)

Contract: Fixed Term until Dec 2024, continuation dependent on
funding

Job Purpose:

The Engagement Officer will work closely with organisations around the County
to provide a warm-handover approach for individuals as well as the development of an ongoing
programme of taster sessions that bring nature to their doorsteps and develop links in to
volunteering, training and career opportunities.

A. To work alongside the SPF funded woodland team in Pembrokeshire to set up and support a
range of woodland wellbeing activities that encourage positive engagement in the use of
woodlands and green spaces for improved wellbeing and environmental understanding.

B. To engage with organisations and individuals who will most benefit from participating in
woodland activities and volunteering. Provide a person-centred warm-handover experience for the
most valuable individuals to remove barriers to attendance.

C. To develop volunteering that can be self-sustaining.

D. To facilitate project monitoring (and encourage partners to do so).

Main Functional Duties and Responsibilities:

• Alongside the Pembrokeshire woodland team, work with current and/or new groups (or
  partners) to develop a woodland activity programme that meets their needs and capacity.
• Mentor volunteers and partner organisations through sessions in woodlands, shadowing them
  or demonstrating best practise, as necessary.
• Support the group to work out their structure – i.e. are they a constituted group (that can
  seek additional funds), a closed friendship group, a partner organisation group, registered
  charity etc – ensure they have this in writing.
• Undertake Training Needs Assessment for individuals and ensure that training is organised
  to meet those needs; this could include building capacity of groups to support themselves.
• Organise training for volunteers and partner organisations to build their capacity to use
  woodlands.
• Ensure groups understand health and safety responsibilities: carrying out risk assessments,
  woodland permissions, first aid and emergency contacts.
• Set up permissions with woodland managers so that both parties understand what is expected.
  Ensure this is in writing when necessary.
• Ensure that the group monitors and keeps records of participation, activity sessions,
  training etc through the use of the database.
• Collate all current resources (activities, risk assessments, site knowledge) that can be
  shared with other partners and volunteers in the local area.
• Provide support and supervision to volunteers (write role description, meet every few
  months etc).
• Attend Small Woods Association Team Meetings in Wales and England (please note this
  includes a minimum of 2x 2-day meetings, with overnight stay.
• Take responsibility for own day-to-day office administration and answering queries.
• Carry out any other similar duties as can reasonably be required of the post and any other
  tasks that may arise to benefit the project.

Application deadline: 15th December
Interviews: 19th December