Role Profile Canal College Youth Outreach Officer FALKIRK

Role Profile canal college Youth Outreach Officer FALKIRK

Job Title: Youth Outreach Officer Location: Falkirk Reporting to: canal college Project Manager Salary: £25,000 FTE (37 hrs) Hours: Part-time - 28 hours per week Contract: Fixed Term April 2017 – June 2020

Organisation Chart

SWT Vision and Mission Scottish Waterways Trust works to create brighter futures for people and places across our Scottish canals. We do this through creating innovative projects that connect people with the heritage, wildlife and green open spaces of the Scottish canals. We inspire people to get active and provide opportunities for people to improve their health and mental well-being. Through our projects we increase employment prospects and strengthen community life. canal college Project canal college is a £1.4 million, three year skills and personal development programme for young people which uses the canal network in Scotland as a unique canvas for learning about, engaging with, and contributing to the conservation of one of the country’s most significant heritage assets.

The project will have a dual purpose: the canal network itself will benefit from the practical tasks undertaken along its banks to ensure its conservation and accessibility, while unemployed and disadvantaged 16-30 year-olds will carry out the works to develop traditional skills and gain accredited awards to obtain employment. Participants will attend 14-week programmes, two days per week. The project will commence in May 2017 and will be delivered in three locations across Scotland, Inverness, West Dunbartonshire and Falkirk; project staff will be recruited for each area so this post covers Falkirk and surrounding areas. This follows on from our successful pilot project which ran from 2013-15 – more information here: http://scottishwaterwaystrust.org.uk/project/canal-college/

Aspects of the Role The role of the Youth Outreach Officer is critical to the success of canal college. It involves the direct delivery of the day to day group activities of young participants (16 – 30 years old) and volunteers working on canal side projects. These projects involve the built and natural environment of the canal network, as well as cultural heritage. There is a mix of practical tasks and working towards SQA accreditation. The post-holder will also ensure that all the activities on each 14 week programme are well planned, all tools and PPE are available, external activity facilitators are booked and briefed, and all consents/permissions and materials are in place along with welfare and Health & Safety.

The post-holder will also have a key role to play in coordinating and supporting the delivery of the accreditation, which will include a heritage-related SVQ, one further unit of a health and safety-related SVQ, John Muir Award and Saltire Awards for volunteering.

The post-holder will be responsible for the recruitment of the participants and volunteer mentors, the health, safety and welfare of all participants and volunteers involved in canal-side projects. He or she will develop a signposting programme which will highlight positive destinations and employment opportunities for young people. The post-holder will assist the Project Manager in ensuring that all outcomes and targets are met, and maintaining accurate records relating to canalside projects, the accreditation & awards and participants. A key component of the role is to ensure that the programme is fun and fulfilling for all participants and that it provides an enjoyable working experience for everyone involved.

Financial Responsibilities The post holder will assist the Project Manager in ensuring that project activities are run in line with the agreed budget. He or she will also have authority for first line approval of volunteers’ expenses; final approval of expenses is the responsibility of the canal college Project Manager.

Tasks and Responsibilities  Liaise with key referral partners and agencies to ensure the timely recruitment of 15 participants and 2 volunteer mentors on 9 canal college programmes over 3 years (total of 135 participants and 18 mentors);  Respond to enquiries, interview candidates, process applications and maintain records;  Liaise with staff from key partners (e.g. Scottish Canals and other professional experts) to contribute to the effective day to day running of project activities;  Deliver Induction Training to volunteers and participants and provide them with mentoring & employability support during their 14 week programme(s);  Co-ordinate & organise all weekly canal college project tasks and ensure all tools, materials PPE, training providers, supervision, welfare, transport, etc is fully organised in advance of each activity;  Supervise all canal college project activity and keep accurate records of participant attendance and achievements in line with the Training & Evaluation Plans;  Effectively deliver the SVQs through an online learning platform ensuring all participants are supported to complete the units;  Ensure all H&S procedures, PPE requirements and PUWER for tools are adhered to and implemented, with support from the SWT Health & Safety Coordinator;  Manage contractors and/or training providers when on site, and work with Scottish Canals to ensure all Risk Assessments and Method Statements are in place and agreed;  Co-ordinate the end of programme celebration events;  Mentor young participants in the development of their personal learning and development plan, providing them with the necessary support and motivation to help them achieve their goals and a positive destination;  Resolve day to day problems associated with project work and ensure the canal college Project Manager is notified of any potential risks to property, participants or visitors;  Support the Project Manager with reports and statistics for funders and monitor positive destinations;  Liaise with the Communications Officer & Evaluation Consultant to ensure that the evaluation plan and communications plan are delivered;  Ensure that at the end of each programme all certificates relevant to each participant including volunteer mentors are applied for and received by the participants;  Ensure that the project is promoted weekly through posting on SWT social media;  Ensure that a regular newsletter is created for each canal college programme to be sent to all key stakeholders.

Challenging Aspects of the Job The role requires an individual who is highly organised and flexible, with a proven ability to think on his or her feet. He or she must excel in encouraging & motivating young people of all abilities to achieve their potential, including those participants who may require additional support. He or she must demonstrate the ability to deal with difficult or challenging situations with minimum disruption to activities. An excellent working knowledge of Health and Safety is essential.

Working Contacts (Internal & External) Key contacts include Scottish Canals as landowner, the canal college Steering Group, training partners, programme participants, volunteer mentors and members of the local community. Knowledge, Experience and Skills Assessment Area Essential Criteria Desirable Criteria Professional, A relevant qualification or Qualified in a subject relating equivalent experience in a to built, natural and/or academic and subject that supports the cultural heritage, training, vocational requirements of the role. and/or youth work. qualifications Experienced in delivery of SQA Assessor training volunteering awards (eg John qualifications. Muir, Saltire). Hold a D1 Minibus category Clean Driving licence & on the Driving Licence. access to a vehicle. First Aid Qualified – Outdoor First Aid Qualification is preferred.

Knowledge and Up to date knowledge of Experience of supervising legislation relating to Health contractors. experience and Safety, Heritage and Environment and the Ability to solve problems and protection of children and maximise opportunities. vulnerable adults. Knowledge of built, natural Knowledge of or delivery of and cultural heritage. SQA qualifications.

Experience in delivering learning programmes to inspire and engage disengaged young people.

Experience of recruitment, retention and motivation of volunteers.

Any additional job Excellent administration skills Committed, dedicated, and an ability to maintain flexible & resourceful. related requirements accurate records. Empathetic, friendly, patient, Excellent interpersonal and and caring. communication skills. Enthusiastic, confident and Confident around young self-motivated. people with additional support needs. Non-judgmental with a commitment to enabling Competent in IT, Microsoft young people of all abilities Office and Social Media. to achieve their potential. Ability to work in a team and Able to multi-task and work on own initiative. under pressure.

Willing to be PVG checked. Highly organised and results driven.