Long Term Volunteers (LTVs)

This is currently on hold as of April 2012. If you are interested, please email us and we will get in touch with you as soon as this is running again (potential start July 2012) Thanks!

LTV Role Descriptions

Long Term Volunteers (LTV's) are invited to work with CAT for upto 6 months every March and September.   

Closing Date for Applications: TBC

Trial weeks/selection days: TBC
Start Date of placement: TBC

Introduction

With over 35 years experience, CAT is dedicated to informing, inspiring and enabling in the field of sustainability through a diverse range of activities. The Centre offers information and education and has a visitor and conference centre. We attract around 60,000 people a year and employ more than 100 dedicated and creative staff.

Based in beautiful mid-Wales, the Centre overlooks the Snowdonia National park, renowned for its stunning scenery and outdoor activities. Within easy reach of the local beaches and University town of Aberystwyth, Machynlleth has a vibrant local community, has a lively arts and music scene and is a great place for families.

About the LTV Scheme
Volunteers are extremely important to the work at CAT and the achievements over the last 30 years simply wouldn't have happened without the hard work, inspiration and dedication of the initial idealists who founded the centre in 1975.

Long Term Volunteers (LTV’s) come every March and September to work full time for 6 months in various departments across CAT.  Whilst gaining hands-on valuable work experience and learning more about sustainability during their unpaid placement, individuals make a valuable contribution to the work of CAT which is highly appreciated.

LTV’s find accommodation locally and need to be completely self funding.  Anyone is welcome to apply but you must be over 18 years old.

Departmental & Role Information

1)    Biology
2)    Buildings and Site Maintenance
3)    Displays
4)    Education
5)    Engineering
6)    Gardens
7)    Information
8)    Marketing and Visitor Centre Events
9)    Media

During your trial days at CAT, you will get more of an idea about the role.  This information here is for guidelines only and I would strongly recommend you ensure you get a good idea about what the role will involve.

(1)    Biology

About the Biology department:  All of our systems (energy, water) are demonstrations of experimental sustainable living and many are on public display.  Some of the main areas covered by the Biology Department include sand filters for water purification, compost toilets, constructed wetlands for sewage treatment, rainwater-harvesting systems, practical biological displays and composting research.  The biology department also manages all the natural space and woodland at CAT.  We seek to manage our land productively, harvesting timber from our woods, and also to encourage a diverse wildlife.

About the role:  Working alongside biologists on site, you will be involved in the general upkeep of biological systems on site as well as teaching and consultancy.  For the first couple of weeks you will work closely with the Biology staff and we will start to think about areas that you are particularly interested in with the view of setting you up with a project.  As you feel more confident with the tasks you will gradually be given more responsibility within the department.

As a volunteer you will hopefully learn as much as possible about everything we do. The best way to learn is though practical experience and you will take on some essential jobs that keep this place running.

Tasks may include assisting with the following:
•    Maintaining our ecological sanitation systems such as reed beds and compost toilets
•    Coppicing, felling and thinning of woodland habitats
•    Composting machine maintenance
•    Invasive species removal
•    Course attendance and helping tutors
•    Species and habitat monitoring
•    Water sampling
•    Outdoor plumbing and water filtration management
•    Talking to visitors about what we do
•    Attend regular Departmental meetings
•    Perform CAT duties as required of all staff members; e.g. staff meetings, cleaning rotas, etc.

Person Specification, points outlined at the end for all the roles but also:
•    Practical attitude, happy to get a bit grubby

(2)    Buildings and Site Maintenance

About the role:  To assist the Estates team in their duties and to maintain the site and buildings in a way that will enhance the visitor experience.

Tasks may include the following:
•    General renovation and maintenance of the buildings and display circuit
•    Performing daily/weekly tasks such as recycling litter, clearance and path sweeping
•    Assisting with major/minor improvements and site maintenance projects.
•    Assisting other departments such as gardening, building, engineering and biology with specific labour intensive projects as required.
•    Giving guidance/assistance/tours to visitors to the Centre.

Person Specification, points outlined at the end for all the roles but also:
•    Practical skills using hand tools and small electrical power tools.
•    Ability to perform a range of unrelated tasks and projects and move between tasks according to changing conditions and priorities.

(3)    Displays

About the Displays department:  The Displays department turns information (facts and figures) into messages that interest our visitors. And so, we design, construct and maintain displays and other interpretation around the site. Our work overlaps with many other departments including Engineering, Web, Graphics, Gardens, Biology, and Site Maintenance.

Our visitors are diverse including young, old, information seekers, day trippers, gardeners and engineers. This means that we are increasing the use of a range of methods to deliver our messages. We can use technology, hands-on displays, art, signs, audio tours, guidebooks and more.

About the role:  For the first couple of weeks you will work closely with a member of the display department on a range of tasks in and out of the office. During this time you can try to identify a personal project and undergo basic tool and safety training. As you feel more confident with the tasks you will gradually be given more responsibility within the department.

Tasks may include the following:
•    Helping to research and write signage.
•    Working on design software to plan and illustrate our designs.
•    Using the workshops to construct a range of exhibits.
•    Working outdoors on construction and landscaping projects.
•    Maintenance of displays onsite.

Person Specification, points outlined at the end for all the roles:
Desirable:
•    Competent in the use of computer packages including use of databases, spreadsheets, word processing, internet and email. 
•    Good level of numeracy and literacy

(4)    Education

About the Education department:  CAT Education department aims to support schools, colleges and universities to deliver Education for Sustainable Development. CAT education officers are all ex school teachers, and cover a range of subject experience. Aiming to change education policy to embed sustainability into curriculums at all levels, CAT education officers have a wide approach which included working with education advisers, decision makers and exam boards, offering training for teachers, working on long term projects and resources that support work in schools, and delivering workshops, activities and talks to pupils and students directly. This work is mostly undertaken at CAT through a programme of residential or day visits, but also as part of our outreach programme.

About the role:  The education volunteer would be expected to help out with tasks as necessary within the department. This would include a mix of day to day tasks to ensure the smooth running of the department, the opportunity to sit in on and help out with workshops for pupils, and to undertake independent projects according to the skills of the volunteer, such as developing resources.

Tasks may include the following:
•    Helping the education administration officer prepare rooms for teaching. This would include cleaning and moving furniture.
•    Helping education officers prepare materials and content for workshops and help out during workshops where necessary, where group practical activities are taking place.
•    Taking on a personal project to aid the work of the department. Eg researching and preparing material to support future workshops.
•    If the volunteer has specific skills that could be beneficial to the department, they will be encouraged to develop projects as necessary.

Person Specification, points outlined at the end for all the roles:
Essential
•    Flexible with an enthusiastic and positive disposition
•    Keen and willing to learn

Desirable
•    Interpersonal and communication skills
•    Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative
•    Empathy with the ethos and core values of the Organisation
•    Good understanding of environmental issues
•    Organisational and time management skills
•    Good level of numeracy and literacy
•    Competent in the use of computer packages including use of databases, spreadsheets, word processing, internet and email
•    Welsh speaker or willingness to learn (or understanding the importance of Welsh and relevance for CAT and this role)

(5)    Engineering

About the Engineering department:  The Engineering department works on a wide variety of mechanical and electrical projects.

About the role:  The volunteer will help with whatever jobs are current and encouraged to learn new skills and/or develop existing ones in the field of renewable energy systems.

Tasks may include the following:
Assisting with operation and maintenance of:
•    Site heating systems – In winter running of the woodchip boiler, in summer solar water heating systems.
•    Wind systems – We have several small wind turbines on site which may require repairs or maintenance. We are responsible for the O&M of the 75k W Vestas community wind turbine which requires routine maintenance.
•    Hydroelectric turbine – The 3.4W Pelton turbine provides a significant proportion of CAT’s electricity needs. The reservoir level is monitored daily and the turbine is turned on and off accordingly. This is carried out alongside the operation of the corresponding power control system.
•    Cliff Railway – CAT’s water-balanced cliff railway requires regular maintenance including a tri-seasonal cable-shorten operation.
•    Displays – Working with the display co-ordinators to maintain existing interactive displays and develop new ones.
•    Assisting engineers in ensuring that the workshops remain in order and safe.

Person Specification, points outlined at the end for all the roles but also:
Essential
•    Mechanical and electrical aptitude
•    Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative
•    Enthusiasm
•    Interest in environmental and sustainability issues
Desirable
•    Engineering qualification or trade
•    Good level of numeracy and literacy

(6)    Gardens

About the Gardens department:  The Gardens Department manages the productive and ornamental garden displays in the 7 acre visitor centre. Our gardens have organic certification, and our work demonstrates how organic gardening is achievable and fun, as well as good for the planet. We overlap and co-operate with many other departments, particularly the Displays, Biology, and Site Maintenance.

The Gardens at CAT are a showcase of sustainable food production and biodiversity for visitors, Garden displays include our suburban garden, city garden, allotment, forest garden, polytunnel and soil fertility beds.

We also provide fresh, organic fruit and vegetables for the staff lunches and our visitor restaurant and café in town. The 1 acre productive food field has been managed since the establishment of CAT. 

The department works on composting, including food waste composting, woodland management and weather monitoring.

About the Role:  As a gardens volunteer you will learn all aspects of gardening (relevant to the time of year) including propagation, vegetable and fruit cultivation, maintenance of ornamentals, wildlife gardening, turf care and landscaping with a view to creating attractive and inspiring displays for our visitors, plus food growing.

Productive Garden volunteers spend most of their time in the field and allotment learning organic growing techniques. Sow, tend and harvest organic veg at CAT with Roger our most experienced grower. Also spend on day per week on the display gardens.

Display garden volunteers create and maintain ecological display gardens to inform and inspire the public about ecological gardening techniques including organic vegetable and fruit production, ecological ornamental spaces and gardening for wildlife. The display garden staff also run the CAT gardening courses and liase with other departments on communicating the message of ecological gardening. You will also spend one day/week with Roger in the field.

Tasks may include the following:
• Maintenance of gardens across site.
• All the various tasks involved in growing food at CAT.
• General gardening tasks including weeding, sowing, watering, potting on, planting, digging, building and pruning, amongst other tasks
• Landscaping as required.
• To help with the upkeep of designated fences, hedges and trees
• To help maintain and improve biodiversity and wildlife at the Centre
• To collect compost as required from designated local areas (i.e. Quarry Café); for composting waste on site and maintaining garden soil using compost produced
• To carry out composting in liaison with the Biology Dept, ensuring compliance with CAT procedures
• If you come with a particular interest then discuss it with us and it is often possible to incorporate it into your work here.
• Keep all work areas safe and tidy.
• To maintain garden tools and keep shed to required standards
• Take reasonable care of your own Health and Safety and of others with whom you are working.
• Other tasks as required.

Person Specification, points outlined at the end for all the roles but also:
Able to work outside in all weathers
Able to do heavy physical work

(7)    Information

About the Information department:  CAT’s free Information Service supports the centre’s mission to inspire, inform and enable by offering free and impartial advice on all aspects of sustainable living. The Information Service answers enquiries by phone, email and at the Visitor Centre Information Desk and produces and updates online information materials.

About the role:  A long term volunteer with the CAT Information Service will be trained to offer advice on a wide range of topics, from organic farming to ecological building materials and renewable energy technology.  Our volunteer will help research and produce information materials, produce content for our website (http://info.cat.org.uk/) and answer enquiries in writing as well as over the phone and face-to-face.

Person Specification, points outlined at the end for all the roles but also:
•    Passionate about sustainability and the environment
•    Eager to learn as much as possible about renewable energy and sustainable living
•    Passionate about reaching out to people
•    Feels comfortable talking to members of the public
•    Has excellent written and spoken communication skills
•    Can explain complex concepts to a general audience
•    Understands basic principles of natural sciences, especially physics
•    Is not scared of numbers and statistics
•    Ideally, has some experience producing digital multimedia content (video, Flash etc.)
•    Competent in the use of computer packages including use of databases, spreadsheets, word processing, internet and email. 
•    Good level of numeracy and literacy

(8)    Marketing & Visitor Centre Events

About the Marketing department: The Marketing department aims to ensure a steady stream of visitors to the centre, in order to spread CAT’s message and to sustain core services of our organisation. They are also responsible for marketing for our other activities such as courses, events, products and services. In addition, we put on a series of one off events at the Centre to add value to the visitor experience.

The department is responsible for special day events, all leaflets, adverts, webpages, events and other marketing tools used to reach out to potential visitors. We assess results throughout the year and keep up-to-date with the latest market/tourism research. We work in collaboration with the Media department when journalists want to visit the site or speak about our events. We’re also in charge or creating, amending, and implementing the overall marketing strategy for the visitor centre.

About the role: During your time in the marketing department you'll be involved in every area of our work. The aim is that you leave the department with a good grounding in how a charity / NGO marketing office operates, with a good understanding of the tourism industry, and that you're able to use the skills you've learned in your future career. You'll also gain valuable experience of events organising and management.

Tasks may include the following:
•    Take part in implementing a marketing strategy.
•    Work with the media department and provide them with relevant media info.
•    Create design briefs and work on adverts creation.
•    Assist with the organisation of events.
•    Other tasks as required.

Person Specification, points outlined at the end for all the roles but also:
You don't need previous experience of working in a marketing office, nor do you need in depth technical knowledge of the issues CAT works on.   However you must have a genuine passion for the issues and a desire to start a career in marketing and communications. Although we're not asking for any previous technical or work based experience you must be able to demonstrate certain aptitudes, including:
•    Excellent organisation and time management   
•    A confident communicator
•    Quick at learning and assimilating new information
•    Excellent writing skills
•    Capacity to work in a team, to express your needs and listen to others
•    Competent in the use of computer packages including use of databases, spreadsheets, word processing, internet and email.  
•    Good level of numeracy and literacy

(9)    Media

About the Media department:  The Media department is responsible for all of CAT's communication with the media. We write and send press releases, help journalists with articles and questions, show TV crews around the site and prepare other CAT staff for interviews. We also prepare media strategies to promote various aspects of CAT's work.

About the role:  During your time in the media office you'll be involved in every area of our work. Our aim is that you leave the department with a good grounding in how a charity / NGO media office operates and you're able to use the skills you've learned in your future career.

Tasks may include the following:
•    Taking part in writing a media strategy.
•    Writing and submitting press releases.
•    Being interviewed by journalists.
•    Assisting reporters with enquiries about CAT.
•    Escorting TV crews around the CAT site.

Person Specification, points outlined at the end for all the roles but also:  You don't need previous experience of working in a media office, nor do you need in depth technical knowledge of the issues CAT works on.  However you must have a genuine passion for the issues and a desire to start a career in media or communications. Although we're not asking for any previous technical or work based experience you must be able to demonstrate certain aptitudes, including:
•    A confident communicator
•    Quick at learning and assimilating new information
•    An intelligent and lively writing style
•    An outgoing and personable nature
•    Good organisation and time management
•    Competent in the use of computer packages including use of databases, spreadsheets, word processing, internet and email. 
•    Good level of numeracy and literacy

Person Specification across all roles:

For all roles, the following Person Specification points are applicable.  If additional person specification points are required, these will be listed with each role.

Essential:
•    Flexible with an enthusiastic and positive disposition
•    Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative
•    Empathy with the ethos and core values of the organisation
•    Keen and willing to learn

Desirable:
•    Interpersonal and communication skills
•    Good understanding of environmental issues
•    Organisational and time management skills
•    Welsh speaker or willingness to learn (or understanding the importance of Welsh and relevance for CAT and this role)

To Apply:

Interested individuals should consider the different roles and apply for these unpaid placements by filling in our application form or alternatively sending a CV and a thorough covering letter explaining your motivation for volunteering, why you would be suitable for the role and any information that could be useful in your application.  Please clearly state which role you are applying for.  You are welcome to apply for more than one position but please indicate this in your application and explain, for each role, why you would like to do this role.

If you are successful at this stage, you will then be invited to the trial days in January which will involve meeting staff and volunteers, visiting CAT, working in the department amongst other things and seeing whether you would like to be at CAT for 6 months and whether we think you would be suitable.  Potential LTV’s are asked for a £20 contribution towards food and accommodation for these days.

More information about being an LTV – www.cat.org.uk/volunteers