As the custodians of Scottish Canals, we are dedicated to safeguarding a crucial part of Scotland's heritage whilst stimulating business growth, job creation and income generation by helping to create stronger communities, attract new customers and income and working with and through empowered and motivated people.
In partnership with NatureScot and funded by ERDF (European Regional Development Fund), we have a 6 month fixed term opportunity for a Volunteer Co-ordinator to join our Placemaking team to support the organisation in engaging with local communities, volunteers, partners and stakeholders to deliver a volunteer programme based around the Canal network in Inverness.
As Volunteer Coordinator you will be based primarily in The Treehouse, our newly built social, training and activity hub located at the Muirtown Basin in Inverness. You will manage, lead, coach and develop volunteer group leaders and volunteers for various roles and tasks within Scottish Canals and will work to promote volunteering in general. As this is a new role, there is an opportunity to be flexible in developing the role and as such you will be a highly organised, driven self-starter with ability to operate independently.
The role is offered on a fixed term basis and attracts a salary of circa £25,000 pa. The post is Monday to Friday, 37 hours per week although some flexibility may be required for special projects.
Scottish Canals also offers flexible working, a generous annual leave entitlement along with enhanced company sick pay, discounted shopping vouchers, and a contributory pension scheme with up to a 10% employer contribution.
Primary responsibilities of the role:
- The Volunteer Coordinator will develop and deliver Local Volunteer Action Plans by working Asset Management and Operational teams to develop core work packages for volunteers to deliver;
- Work with established community group including the Friends of Merkinch Local Nature Reserve and other partners where appropriate.
- Establish a volunteering strategy and programme of engagement activity for community outreach in the area based on the opportunity provided by the Tree House building from its base in the Merkinch and South Kessock community
- Liaising with partner groups to develop activities and events throughout the local Scottish Canals network, working in partnership with corporate and individual groups and bodies to support delivery of canal-based maintenance and related activities.
- Engagement and talks with Schools to take young people into the greenspace
- Skills and employment development through volunteering and awards e.g. John Muir Award for Conservation
- Guiding the Volunteers to enable them to work safely to defined standards for the activities they will be involved in completing all relevant registration and safety related documentation.
Skills and Experience:
- Experience of working within relevant environment e.g canals / waterways.
- Experience of leading a team or Volunteer group.
- Good numeracy and literacy skills.
- Relevant experience of working with Volunteers and young people.
- Relevant awareness of working with individuals or groups with special needs.
- Relevant heritage and environmental awareness.
- Full clean driving licence
- Experience of working with contractors etc
- The post holder will have good organisational skills, be an effective communicator and work well as part of a team with a positive attitude and work well as part of a team.
Scottish Canals are currently looking to recruit a Head of Placemaking. This is a new role and the successful candidate will lead on ensuring that our places are well designed, create opportunities and that they are accessible, sustainable, and relevant for people and communities. The Head of Placemaking is responsible for devising Scottish Canals Placemaking Strategy and plans including leading a holistic and integrated approach to designing places and spaces which are canal-relevant along our network. They will oversee project management and delivery including identifying and securing external funds for programmes and projects. A key aspect is engagement with stakeholders and communities to helps us find new ways to connect people with place and deliver maximum public benefit whilst safeguarding significance.
The Head of Placemaking will have and continue to build the external networks, leading senior level relationships with key partners to ensure we are innovative, creative, and collaborative.
As a member of the Senior Management Group, the Head of Placemaking contributes to promoting Scottish Canals’ vision, values and reputation and contributing to the priorities identified through the Corporate Plan.
This critical role will have responsibility for:
• Developing a Placemaking strategy and action plan that aligns to the Scottish Government’s Place Principle and contributes to the National Performance Framework as well as the UN Sustainable Development Goals and maximising our wider contribution to Inclusive Growth, Community Wealth Building, A Zero Nation and Wellbeing agendas.
• Building and nurturing partnerships which support Scottish Canals’ plans to enhance canal infrastructure, specifically improving accessibility, connectivity and opportunities for communities, customers, and partners to benefit from the canal network.
• Creating and shaping programmes of projects to realise strategic intentions, mitigate risk and promote solutions whilst maintaining heritage canal assets. Sponsoring project development and seeking the necessary approvals. Ensuring the delivery is to the appropriate level of quality, on time and within budget, in accordance with the programme plans and programme governance arrangements.
• Identifying, leveraging, and deploying funding streams that maybe available including grants and other funding sources by building cases for investment.
• Keeping abreast of all industry trends, developments, and legislation on planning, placemaking and construction.
• Defining KPIs, management information and reporting relating to placemaking driving continuous improvement. Ensure accurate and timely reporting is provided to the relevant stakeholders and ensure any statutory, internal, or external reporting is provided on time, validated and accurate.
• Ensuring appropriate policies, standards and targets are in place and communicated across the organisation, and with suppliers, and stakeholders.
Ideal candidates will demonstrate:
• Considerable practical place making experience or relevant experience professional qualification in architecture, landscape architecture, design, or architectural conservation.
• A strong strategic vision for placemaking and design underpinned by effective project management, from ideas to implementation.
• Proven track record in securing and managing funds
• Building effective relationships that generate confidence, respect, and collaborative working at all levels, and at senior levels, operating with sensitivity and political acuity.
• Exceptional leadership skills, able to motivate and inspire others.
• Creativity and innovation, ability to lead and drive cultural change.
• Experience and understanding of the application of conservation principles in heritage settings.
• A track record of working with developers, contractors, and supply chain.
• Strong analytical skills, focused on evidence and insight, able to interpret and contextualise complex information and situations to identify solutions.
• Strives for continuous improvement, innovation, and efficiency, taking responsibility for managing and improving all relevant standards, policies, processes, and governance relating to the role.
• Excellent organisational skills and able to demonstrate determination, focus and self-awareness needed to sustain effectiveness.
The role is offered on a permanent full-time basis, based on a blended working model from our Falkirk office and home working.
Scottish Canals also offers flexible working, a generous annual leave entitlement of 34 days rising to 39 after 5 years (inc. public holidays), along with enhanced company sick pay and a contributory pension scheme with up to a 10% employer contribution.
Scottish Canals are currently looking to recruit a Head of Sustainability. This is a new role and the successful candidate lead and drive Scottish Canals corporate social responsibility agenda specifically responding to climate and biodiversity crises and ensuring our work supports a just transition for communities. Priorities include developing strategy and proactive action on Net Zero Carbon, environment and biodiversity and canal heritage which deliver continuous improvements in performance and outcomes for Scottish Canals.
As a member of the Senior Management Group, the Head of Sustainability contributes to promoting Scottish Canals’ vision, values and reputation and contributing to the priorities identified through the Corporate Plan.
This critical role will have responsibility for:
• Developing strategies and action plans for Net Zero.
• Building partnerships which support Scottish Canals’ wider contribution to A Zero Nation, Biodiversity/Nature Positive, Circular Economy, and Natural Capital agendas.
• Creating sustainability programmes of projects to realise strategic intentions, mitigate risk and promote nature-based solutions whilst maintaining heritage canals assets.
• Identifying, leveraging and deploying additional funding streams that may be available including grants and other funding sources.
• Leading a team of three environment and heritage specialists and a budget of c. £500k per annum.
• Keeping abreast of all industry trends, developments and legislation.
• Defining KPIs and management information and reporting relating to sustainability driving continuous improvement.
Ideal candidates will demonstrate:
• Degree level or equivalent experience and professional qualifications.
• Extensive experience developing and delivering sustainability programmes demonstrating significant impact, knowledge of complying with related regulatory frameworks and standards such as ISO14001.
• A proven track record in building effective relationships that generate confidence, respect, and collaborative working at all levels, and at senior levels, operating with sensitivity and political acuity.
• Strong analytical skills, focused on evidence and insight, able to interpret and contextualise complex information and situations to identify solutions, shape guidance and advice, and embed good practice.
• Commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and efficiency, taking responsibility for managing and improving all relevant standards, policies, processes, and governance relating to the role.
The role is offered on a permanent full-time basis, based on a blended working model from our Falkirk office and home working. The successful candidate will participate in a blended working model, working between home and our Falkirk office.
Scottish Canals also offers flexible working, a generous annual leave entitlement of 34 days rising to 39 after 5 years (inc. public holidays), along with enhanced company sick pay and a contributory pension scheme with up to a 10% employer contribution.