Volunteer and Education Coordinator

The Goois Nature Reserve at a Glance

The Goois Nature Reserve (GNR) is a regional nature conservation organization based in the center of the country that has been managing the nature areas in ’t Gooi since 1932. These nature areas make ’t Gooi a unique living environment. We manage over 2,850 hectares of nature and ensure that it remains preserved and accessible. We are a small, dynamic organization with 36 employees and work together with over 300 dedicated volunteers. We have just launched a new educational project for elementary and secondary schools and plan to expand it further in the coming years.

What are you going to do?

Our volunteers go out into nature together and help us with small-scale nature conservation and monitoring of flora and fauna. They also provide information and assist with educational activities and other support tasks. As a coordinator, you are responsible for implementing the volunteer policy and coordinating the volunteer organization. You ensure the optimal deployment of volunteers. You organize activities to recruit, motivate, train, and retain volunteers at GNR. You do all of this in close collaboration with colleagues from the management team.

You will also be responsible for coordinating our nature education program and will approach this in a systematic manner. Together with the nature education project coordinator, you will develop a suitable range of activities and lessons, enabling people of all ages to explore nature, the landscape, and the cultural history of the local area. You will consult with schools and external partners, such as IVN and Stichting Omgevingseducatie, regarding the educational offerings. You will also plan the various activities and requests for lessons and field trips, and coordinate the use of our group accommodations. You will regularly lead lectures or educational activities yourself.

This is you

• An enthusiastic person who knows how to make the most of the volunteers’ strengths and motivate them.
• A persuasive team player with strong coordination skills.
• A skilled networker who knows how to build relationships at all levels.
• The point of contact for questions from and about volunteers.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Available for evening and weekend events.

We are looking for someone with

• HBO-level academic and intellectual ability.
• At least 3–5 years of experience managing volunteers.
• A driver's license and, preferably, your own car.
• Experience with, or knowledge of, nature education.
• A strong interest in nature conservation.
• Experience with software such as MS Excel. We plan to start using AFAS for the volunteer database in the future.

What we offer you

• Fixed-term employment contract (one-year contract) with the possibility of a permanent contract.
• Pay scale 10 of the provincial collective bargaining agreement (€3,085.57 – €4,386.29 per month for full-time employment).
• A unique workplace surrounded by nature and close to the Randstad.
• Challenging work within a small, dedicated team.
• A personal training budget of €5,000 every five years.
• A comprehensive benefits package, including a monthly flexible spending allowance of approximately 22% of your salary, which you can use for vacation pay, a thirteenth month’s salary, or purchasing additional time off. In addition, your pension is provided through the ABP, and you receive a monthly contribution toward your health insurance.

Apply
Interested? Please send a brief cover letter and your resume to vacatures@gnr.nl. This position is open to both internal and external candidates. The deadline for applications is September 4, 2022. Due to the summer period, we are extending the application deadline. The first round of interviews will take place on September 19 and 22. We require new employees to provide a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG).

Questions
Would you like more information about the nature of the work? Please contact Carla Kersbergen, Team Leader Policy, Support & External Relations, at 06-16316439 or Kersbergen@gnr.nl. Would you like more information about the application process? Please contact the GNR secretariat at 035-6214598 or vacatures@gnr.nl.

We do not appreciate unsolicited recruitment approaches regarding this vacancy