As a volunteer you will:

• Assist Council staff with the delivery of the COYGFWP
• Provide education and advice (both verbal and written) to residents, businesses and schools that are participating in the program, in accordance with the program’s requirements
• Volunteers of this program will have the opportunity to assist the City of Yarra (Council) to plan and improve its Volunteer Program by providing ideas and feedback throughout their engagement with Council. As a valued member of the Council team, you will have the opportunity to be inspired, connect with community and make a difference to local, urban biodiversity.

Council is affiliated with a network of community members and Council's from across Victoria through Gardens for Wildlife Victoria

Key Activities & Requirements

As a Garden Guide Volunteer, you will:

• Conduct residential, school or business garden site visits within the Yarra municipality (approx. 1 hour plus travel time maximum, during daylight hours) together with a fellow Gardens for Wildlife volunteer or Council staff member. Appointments of pairs will be scheduled in agreement with both volunteers.
• Provide one-on-one, site-specific and high-level guidance to participants verbally on how they can create habitat within their existing home, business or school garden. This does not require technical knowledge of landscape architecture.
• Assess the current habitat opportunities through visual inspection of the outdoor space, taking written notes (to be used later for report writing), photographs of current vegetation/trees and noting the potential recommendations for habitat opportunities within the garden.
• Provide general advice verbally on the design and actions to be taken to improve habitat value.
• Prepare a written reports (GFW Garden Report) in Microsoft Word or similar program, utilising the notes/observations made during the site visit and any relevant information provided by Yarra’s biodiversity team.
• This report will provide the resident with a summary of all observations and proposed recommendations, including any photos taken.
• Provide a draft report (via email) to partnering guide within 14 days, with a final report being provided (via email) to the assessed household and Council within 21 days.
• Attend training sessions, meetings and Garden Guide volunteer induction as needed.
• Provide input and contribute to the continued development of the GFW program through feedback, communications assistance, participating in market stalls/events and assisting with other aspects of the program’s development as needed.
• Report any incidents or near misses regarding a volunteer’s and/or client’s safety to your Council contact person.
• Respect confidentiality and privacy of residents’ personal information and property by using photos only for the report unless permission is sought and discarding private contact details when they are no longer required for the purposes of the Gardens for Wildlife visit.
• Always maintain a safe work environment by carrying out activities safely and responsibly.
• Check in regularly with your Council contact person and report any issues or concerns in a timely manner.

Desired Skills, Experience and Attributes

• Interest or knowledge in local flora and fauna, gardening or willingness to learn about indigenous and habitat gardening.
• Access to a computer, mobile phone and email account.
• Enjoy engaging and relating to people from a variety of backgrounds and with varying levels of knowledge.
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal, to provide constructive advice to participants about habitat gardening.
• Ability to safely carry out all the key responsibilities of the role and understanding of any risks relevant to this role.
• Reliable, trustworthy, flexible, helpful and punctual.
• An interest in giving back to your local community.
• The ability and preparedness to maintain confidentiality and privacy and respects the rights of others.
• Seeks guidance and asks for help when needed.
• No formal qualifications are required to volunteer with the Gardens for Wildlife Volunteer Program. Training will be provided to prepare volunteers for this role.
• Complete a National Criminal History Check (Police Check).
• Complete a Working with Children Check (Volunteer).
• A current Victorian Drivers Licence is preferable, or ability to travel to designated properties by other reliable means. Note: If you plan to drive you will need to use your own car, possess a valid Victorian Drivers Licence and ensure your vehicle is in a roadworthy condition. Comprehensive insurance is desirable.