Do you have the skills and enthusiasm to help COAST at their new Marine Activities and Learning Centre on the shores of Arran’s community-led No Take Zone and Marine Protected Area?
COAST is looking to recruit two Volunteer Marine Programme Assistants for the summer. The closing date for applications is 5 pm on 17th March 2019. They are looking for people who can commit to 37.5 hours a week for 3 months – the post starts on June 3rd 2019, who will be based at COAST’s Octopus Centre in Lamlash, on the Isle of Arran. The work involves a range of tasks including Centre management and visitor experience, communications and outreach.
We are looking for 2 volunteers to work closely with staff, local volunteers and research students to support the development of our new hub. We are seeking highly motivated individuals to join our friendly team this summer. These roles will involve being the first point of contact for our visitors and volunteers so it is essential the volunteers project a positive and knowledgeable image of COAST and ensure everyone who visits or calls feels welcome and is well attended.
Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST)
COAST is a multi-award winning marine restoration group established in 1995 by two local divers in response to the collapse of commercial fish stocks and the degradation of seabed habitats in the Clyde. Described by George Monbiot as ‘pathfinders’, COAST established Scotland’s first and only community-driven No Take Zone in 2008 following a 13-year campaign. We proposed the South Arran Marine Protected Area (MPA) in 2012 which came into full effect in 2016.
COAST is a passionate volunteer-based organisation with a staff team committed to the full realisation of the environmental, social and economic potential of our MPA and the progressive development of Clyde marine management. To help deliver this, in December 2016, we purchased a shore-side site and pavilion in Lamlash which we have renovated. In September 2018, we proudly opened Scotland’s first community-led Marine Protected Area Visitor Centre which provides a unique opportunity for the public to connect to our seas and discover how they can make a difference to marine conservation.
Main duties
The volunteers will focus on meeting and greeting locals and visitors to the marine hub, involving them with our marine environment and community in various ways: assisting shore scrambles, rock pool sessions, marine tank sessions, pop-up events, hiring sports and games equipment, assisting with catering and selling COAST merchandise. In addition the volunteers will be asked to assist with:
- Developing content (written, visual and audio-visual) and uploading to our website and social media channels
- Event and workshop planning/organisation/logistics and volunteer management
- Database development and maintenance, updating our interactive map, merchandise management and administration tasks
- Assisting with any other designated tasks to support the COAST team.
For more information about the position and how to apply please see the information pack here and the application form here.