Job Opportunities

We are recruiting a Plant Operations Apprentice for a 16 -month apprenticeship programme.

This is a fixed term 16 month contract after a successful six-month probation period.

Salary: The first year will be paid at the National Apprentice Wage (currently £6.44 per hour) and then at National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage, dependent on age, plus benefits including pension.

The role is 37.5 hours per week.

The role is a mixture of office and site-based, but we support hybrid working for this position, therefore there will be the opportunity to work from home. Travel to sites throughout the Westcountry will also be regularly required.

Benefits while working for Westcountry Rivers Trust include:

• 25 days Annual Leave per annum, with a reward for long service – an additional 1 day per year for each year worked over 5 years, up to a maximum of 30 days for employees serving 10 years.
• An additional 3 days Annual Leave for the Christmas Closure period.
• 9% Employer Pension, plus Life Assurance cover

Apply by 5pm on Monday 20 May. Please forward your CV and Covering Letter via: https://hr.breathehr.com/v/plant-operations-apprentice-35416

Interviews will be held in-person at our offices in Stoke Climsland on Friday 31 May 2024

For queries about this role or the application process, please contact [email protected]

The Role

This Plant Operations Apprentice will work with our Operational Team on a varied project delivery programme at catchment locations throughout the region. It will develop the successful candidate in supporting a range of Trust projects.

This role will mainly focus on site-based delivery, predominantly with plant-based work, but also on other site delivery which may include chainsaws and other machinery. Some desk-based work may be required, and the successful candidate will be able to work in line with our hybrid working policy, which includes home, office and site-based work.

Additional training will be given to the successful candidate where required and appropriate.

The successful applicant will be a motivated, enthusiastic, team player who will be reliable and show initiative.

The Plant Operations Apprentice will report into the Operations Senior Team Leader.

This role will support the delivery of various catchment management outputs such as, but not limited to, habitat creation and restoration opportunities, monitoring, natural flood management, arboricultural work and community engagement.  You will be responsible for working with the Operations Team to deliver a range of work safely and professionally on our project sites. Once qualified and suitably experienced, you may act as the lead plant operator on some sites and activities. Reporting to the Operations Senior Team Leader you will develop your knowledge and experience of working in the environmental conservation sector with a focus on enhancing freshwater environments.

Key responsibilities include:
• Safely Operating Plant and Machinery on-site to support with the delivery of our project work.
• Undertake and complete the Plant Operations Apprenticeship Programme developing the key knowledge, skills and behaviours required to successfully reach and pass the End Point Assessment on the course.
•Supporting with site surveys, and inputting to various site documents such as Method Statements, Risk Assessments and other consents or permits to gain experience.
• Support the Operation and other Trust teams with other site-based work such as, but not limited to; plant and machinery work, chainsaw-based work, surveys and monitoring, installation of a variety of habitat features and monitoring equipment.
• Ensuring a high level of Health & Safety standards are maintained.
• Maintaining Trust equipment, machinery and tools.
• Engaging with the public, volunteers, landowners and other stakeholders.
•Keeping your personal apprentice portfolio up to date and any other relevant training and CPD.
• Flexibility to support on projects throughout the South West.
• Attend Team and Project meetings as required.

Person specification.

Knowledge and Experience
• A passion for working outdoors, and supporting with project delivery in a range of weather conditions.
• Experience of using various software from the MS Office suite.
• Awareness of industry Health & Safety standards and codes of practice.
• Experience of working on sites with plant machinery, in particular excavators. (D)
• Previous experience of working on arboricultural sites and working with hand tools and plant machinery. (D)
• Routine maintenance of plant and equipment such as chainsaws, brush cutters and other hand tools. (D)

Skills and Competencies
• Ability to plan and manage workload with support and guidance.
• Able to work both individually and as part of a team.
• Good communication skills.
• Some of our commercial clients may require you to undertake a medical exam including drug and alcohol tests from time to time prior to carrying out work on their sites.

Qualifications/Membership
• Chainsaw qualification. (D)
• First Aid Qualification (D)
• LISS/CSCS card (D)

The above are Essential criteria unless indicated as Desirable (D)

 

 

 

 

The National Lottery Heritage Fund is providing funding assistance for this role.

We are recruiting for a HR Manager.

This is a permanent contract, after a successful six-month probation period.

The role is 30 hours per week, which can be worked over four days, or flexibly over five days.

The starting salary for this role is between £35,000 to £40,000 per annum FTE (£28,000 to £32,000 per annum for 30 hours per week), depending on experience.

Benefits while working for Westcountry Rivers Trust include:
• 25 days Annual Leave per annum, with a reward for long service – an additional 1 day per year for each year worked over 5 years, up to a maximum of 30 days for employees with 10 years continuous service.
• Additional Leave covering the Christmas Closure period.
• 9% Employer Pension, plus Life Assurance cover.
• Flexible working.

Apply by midnight on Sunday 2 June 2024 by CV and Covering Letter, stating how you meet the requirements of the role, to: https://hr.breathehr.com/v/hr-manager-35424

Interviews will be held in person at our offices in Stoke Climsland on Monday 17 June 2004.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, or for queries about the application process, please contact [email protected]

If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact Kasia Lewis, Head of Resources via [email protected]

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join Westcountry Rivers Trust as we continue to develop and strengthen our HR function.

The HR Manager will report to the Head of Resources and will line manage the HR Officer. They will collaborate with colleagues across our Shared Services team and work closely with line managers to provide professional and pragmatic advice on all aspects of people management, reflecting current employment legislation and good practice.

This role will require the role holder to be able to work autonomously using their own initiative with a professional, approachable, manner.

The HR Manager will work closely with the Head of Resources to develop and continuously improve the HR service provided to the Trust.

Our aim is to create a positive and supportive work environment, to be an employer of choice while adopting a proactive strategic approach to wellbeing, talent, development, retention, and employee relations.

At the Trust, we support hybrid working with the opportunity to work from home. The HR Manager will be expected to come into the office at least one day a week with occasional travel to off-site meetings, employment law updates, team and Trust away days etc. Our office is at Stoke Climsland, near Callington.

Responsibilities:
• Build and maintain relationships with line managers to provide support including giving professional pragmatic HR advice and guidance in all areas of HR policy and practice.
• Manage, develop, and monitor HR processes and support line managers throughout the full employee lifecycle (e.g. recruitment, on-boarding, induction, probation, exit interviews), with assistance from the HR Officer.
• Help to build confidence and capabilities within line managers at the Trust, enabling managers to deal with people management issues confidently and appropriately.
• Support the Head of Resources to develop, and continuously improve, the quality and value of the HR service provided to the Trust. This will include reviewing, recommending, and implementing improvements to HR processes, policies and procedures, ensuring they are legally compliant.
• Develop manager toolkits and resources to support HR policies and identify and provide training where appropriate to ensure consistency across the Trust.
• Provide professional and timely advice on HR matters to all levels in the organisation.
• Manage the HR Officer and provide oversight of HR administrative tasks.
• Advise managers on, and manage, employee relations casework including disciplinaries, grievances, absence, effectively considering business risk at all stages, with support from the Head of Resources where appropriate.
• Manage the HR-related aspects of apprenticeships including the setup, monitoring, and liaison with the provider.
• Ensuring timely and accurate workforce information is available as required, with the assistance of the HR Officer, for the Head of Resources for the purposes of Board reporting and Leadership Team meetings.
• Take a proactive approach to reviewing employee data to identify trends, issues, and opportunities to inform discussions with the Head of Resources.
• Support the creation of a monthly internal staff newsletter and provide support on a range of HR projects.
• Working with the Head of Resources, contribute to the evaluation of training using feedback to measure effectiveness.
• Maintain CPD to keep up to date with changes to employment law, ACAS guidance and good practice.
• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion as part of the culture of Trust.
• Maintain confidentiality of all information and discussions and ensure compliance with GDPR.
• To deputise for the Head of Resources on HR related matters.
• To carry out other duties relevant to your role as reasonably required by the Head of Resources or Director of the Trust.
Person specification.

Knowledge and Experience
• Demonstrable experience of delivering a wide range of HR generalist services in a similar role.
• A robust working knowledge of HR processes.
• Up to date and thorough knowledge of employment law, ACAS principles and best practice with the ability to apply it practically to workplace situations.
• Understanding of current trends, challenges, and emerging practices in the field of Human Resources.
• Experience of managing own employee relations case load including disciplinary, grievance, absence etc considering organisational risk, and the ability to liaise with legal advisors.
• Experience of working with managers on HR matters to inform both operational and strategic decision making.
• Ability to provide professional HR advice to managers of all levels and supporting managers across a full range of HR activities and employee relations issues.
• Experience of proactively identifying HR priorities and future challenges and implementing appropriate solutions.
• Ability to align HR advice and support with business need and strategic direction.
• Commitment to CPD and evidence of an active CPD plan.
• Desirable – HR experience in a similar role in the Charity Sector.
• Desirable – Line Management experience.

Skills and Competencies
• A proactive approach with the ability to work with initiative and autonomously, but also within a team.
•  Strong communication, interpersonal, influencing and empathy skills.
• The ability to use information objectively and apply sound judgement in order to make decisions.
• Ability to demonstrate complete confidentiality, discretion, tact and diplomacy at all times, whilst mindful of observing safeguarding and professional standards.
• Adaptable and organised in prioritising workload and working effectively to deadlines with minimum supervision.
• The ability to foster and maintain successful working relationships with colleagues and contacts.
• High level of accuracy, attention to detail and numeracy skills.
• Ability to deal with confidential information with tact and discretion, with a practical understanding of the principles of GDPR and data protection.
• An understanding of, and commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.

Qualifications
• HR qualifications or experience comparable to Level 5 CIPD.

The above are Essential criteria unless indicated as Desirable