Wildlife Watch is the junior branch of Ulster Wildlife. Wildlife Watch encourages and nurtures young people’s interest in wildlife and the environment by creating learning opportunities, and inspiring personal participation through attending a monthly Wildlife Watch Group, run by volunteer Wildlife Watch Group Leaders.  We aim to enable young people, aged between 7 and 12, to enjoy and explore their surroundings, appreciate and understand the influences that have shaped their environment and involve them in taking action for the future, working toward our vision of a ‘A wilder future where people and nature are thriving together.’

We're looking for volunteers to lead the Wildlife Watch groups at Lisburn, Bloomfield and Bog Meadows.

Main tasks for a Wildlife Watch Group Leader include:

• Help maintain a safe environment for Wildlife Watch Group activities to take place, including conducting risk assessments, addressing any hazards and keeping children safe from harm.
• Assist the other Wildlife Watch Group Leaders in planning and running monthly meetings with group members. This can include duties such as:
  • taking the register
  • looking after admin paperwork
  • assisting in group activities and supervision of children
  • setting up and taking down of equipment used
  • adhering to Ulster Wildlife’s health and safety policies, safeguarding policies and procedures and data protection procedures
• Promote Wildlife Watch membership
• Keep in regular contact with Ulster Wildlife.

Skills required:

• Enthusiastic and good interpersonal skills
• To be able to work with both children participating and their parents. 
• Be reliable and trustworthy
• Ability to follow procedural guidelines and undertake online training
• A good team player
• Good creative skills to help come up with activities and help with arts and crafts. 
• A strong interest and basic knowledge in wildlife conservation is beneficial. 
• A valid First Aid certificate is desirable but training can be provided
• Uphold the good reputation of Ulster Wildlife and the Wildlife Watch Group.

Successful applicants will be subject to an Enhanced Access NI check and should have two character references available for contact upon request.

Ulster Wildlife will provide volunteers with all the necessary information, training, supervision and support, to carry out this work.

Hours:

Groups meet once a month on from 6.30pm – 8.30pm.  The occasional weekend trip may be planned and some additional time throughout the year to attend team meetings to plan ahead with the other Leaders if required.

Expenses:

Volunteers can claim for reasonable receipted out of pocket expenses and Ulster Wildlife will provide the necessary materials to carry out the role. We are ideally looking for a volunteer within easy travelling distance of the Watch meet locations.