POSITION TITLE: Marine Engagement Internship (stipend included £100 per week)
REPORTS TO: Education & Communications Manager
DURATION: Starting from 5th June to 21st July
HOURS: 37.5 hours a week (including regular weekend work and some evenings as required).
LOCATION: COAST Discovery Centre, Lamlash, Isle of Arran
Do you have the skills and enthusiasm to help COAST at their Discovery Centre on the shores of Arran’s community-led No Take Zone and Marine Protected Area? We are seeking full-time volunteers to assist with the running of the Discovery Centre during our busy summer period.
Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST)
Based on the Isle of Arran, COAST is a multi-award-winning marine conservation group restoring the health and diversity of Arran’s inshore waters. Embedded in and driven by our island community we established Scotland’s first and only community-led No Take Zone in 2008 and the South Arran Marine Protected Area in 2016, before opening the COAST Discovery Centre in 2018.
COAST is a small organisation with an enthusiastic staff and volunteer team committed to the full realisation of the environmental, social and economic potential of our MPA and the progressive development of Clyde marine management. The COAST Discovery Centre is a vital asset to help us achieve our goals, providing 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 volunteer will focus on meeting and greeting locals and tourists to the Discovery Centre, involving them with our marine environment and community in various ways. You will ensure visitors have the warmest welcome to our centre and experience a positive visitor experience.
First and foremost, this role is Front of House at the Discovery Centre, greeting people, answering questions and managing purchases and bookings. Where possible and as need dictates, we will seek your assistance with shore scrambles, marine tank sessions, community events pop-up events, research activities and snorkelling sessions. In addition, you may 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.
The person – qualifications, knowledge and experience
We are looking for a volunteer to work closely with staff, local volunteers and research students to support the day-to-day running of our Discovery Centre in high season. We are seeking highly motivated individuals to join our friendly team this summer. This role will involve being the first point of contact for our visitors and volunteers, so it is essential the volunteer projects a positive and knowledgeable image of COAST and ensure everyone who visits or calls feels welcome and is well attended.
