Getting a job in the environmental sector can be tough, so volunteering is a good way to get the skills and experience you need when applying for a position.

Any voluntary role can be useful, but if you are looking to start a career it's good to be able to commit a decent amount of time per week if possible. Try to find an opportunity that will really stretch you and one that, ideally, will give you a good range of experience.

BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) has a Volunteer Officer (VO) role that's ideal for people interested in work related to the environment.

VOs help to organise BTCV and its projects, so that more people can get involved. VOs can be office-based, site-based or home-based. VO opportunities include:

• organising project work;
• raising money;
• promoting the organisation;
• advising projects;
• training project leaders;
• leading UK and International Conservation Holidays.

During 2004 45% of VOs got a job in the environmental sector, 16% within BTCV.

Current VOs Fran Hinds and Keith Colin told us more about what the role involves.

How did you come to be a Volunteer Officer with BTCV?

Fran: When I finished university last June I decided to volunteer with BTCV, as I'd had enough of academic work and I wanted to do something practical and outdoors, without any pressure. I knew about BTCV through doing conservation work in my gap year and I'd been meaning to volunteer with them throughout uni, except I became involved in other things and never seemed to be able to spare the time.

After a week of volunteering at Hollybush (the BTCV centre in Leeds) last summer I was asked if I was interested in becoming a Volunteer Officer and I decided to give it a go, as I had already started to really enjoy myself.

Keith: I left the RAF for medical reasons and have used volunteering partly as a route to better health. I have volunteered for East Sussex County Council in the past with the hope of both getting well enough to work and gaining experience in conservation. 

What environmental volunteering had you done before?

Fran: In my gap year before uni I went to Australia for three months to do practical conservation projects with Conservation Volunteers Australia. It was an amazing experience that opened my eyes to environmental causes and issues. Ever since then I have wanted to become more and more involved in different kinds of environmental work.

Keith:  I had my first contact with BTCV through the Pond Warden Scheme where I became a trained pond warden.

How much time do you put in?

Fran: The idea behind the scheme is that it should be treated like a full time job so VOs are asked to come in at least three days a week. I personally try to do four or five days a week, as there are many different projects on offer at Hollybush and I like to be involved with as many as I can!

Keith: I started volunteering for BTCV almost a year ago. I started with one day a week, then went to two days for some time. BTCV were excellent in the way that I was given free training to help me in my role. I'm now a registered Leader and feel confident to lead groups and help train people to coppice, clear brash and even to go hedgelaying.

How long will the VO placement last?

Fran: Again, there is no answer set in stone about how long you have to stay as a VO, but at Hollybush they suggest between three and six months so that each VO can get as much out of the placement as possible.

Keith: The position is currently ongoing, as BTCV will be running further NVQ courses (in addition to one I'm currently on). Another part of my VO job is putting together the Southern Central newsletter and that is also ongoing.

What's been the best thing about it?

Fran: The best thing I've found about being a VO is the support you get from the organisation. There's so much on offer, from a wide range of free training courses and a VO budget to spend on necessary protective clothes, to meeting people from similar organisations. I feel really lucky to have had the chance to get involved with projects and initiatives that I would have never even heard about. Many doors are open for you and the opportunities are there at your disposal. 

Keith: The best thing for me is the people!  I work with a great bunch. All of the BTCV staff are really helpful and the volunteers (the NVQ students) are all great, with their efforts focused on learning and the environment.

What's been the most challenging part of the role?

Fran: I suppose the fact that VOs are given a degree of responsibility is quite challenging, as I've never really experienced that before. We are expected to take on a similar role to the staff on practical projects, supervising volunteers and monitoring health and safety. In the office, too, we are asked to deal with members of the public on the phone and order in materials, as well as organise social and fundraising events for the volunteers. Though challenging, this is an excellent opportunity to develop personal skills and self confidence. 

Keith: Learning BTCV's rules and regulations has been slightly challenging, but the more you do something the easier it gets. I am now confident about giving tool talks (health and safety), carrying out risk assessments (health and safety) and have become more confident about talking to groups and giving presentations.

What do you think you've learned?

Fran: Being a VO has taught me to be motivated, reliable, hard working and dedicated in a job without needing the incentive of being paid. As well as being a VO in order to acquire new skills and have different experiences, I have stayed a volunteer for so long because it's great fun and very rewarding.

Keith: A phenomenal amount!  I am learning every day -  practical skills like building gate hurdles, post and rail fencing, to habitat management and group/volunteer motivation!

What career do you hope to pursue when the VO placement has finished?

Fran: I'm keen on an environmental career, as I've had the chance to experience the sort of work that is on offer, and have found it really rewarding. Through other BTCV projects at Hollybush I've developed an interest in health issues in relation to the environment, namely healthy walking initiatives and working with adults with learning difficulties. These have given me the chance to see an alternative perspective on the benefits of environmental work and I would definitely like to be more involved in this sort of field in the future.

Keith: I'm hoping to be employed by BTCV or another conservation organisation. I enjoy teaching and learning as well as being physically active. The doors of opportunity are opening with every day that I spend volunteering. I meet all sorts of people from Forestry Commission rangers to College Lecturers, and just this gives me an idea of where I can go from here.

Read more about volunteering and career development.

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