Insert engaging photo relevant to the role e.g. smiling volunteer undertaking tasks for this role

DESCRIPTION VOLUNTEER ROLE AND PROGRAM:

• Volunteer Garden Guides support Hume City Council's Gardens for Wildlife program by visiting residents, schools and businesses in pairs to offer practical habitat and planting advice that makes gardens more wildlife-friendly.
• Volunteers discuss each participant's goals, then prepare a personalised report with recommendations and program resources.
• Visit scheduling is flexible, with optional involvement in community events and workshops alongside the Urban Biodiversity Officer.

https://www.hume.vic.gov.au/gardensforwildlife

BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING:

• Help other people to create more wildlife-friendly gardens in Hume.
• Enhance your sense of connection with other people and with nature. 
• Expand and share your knowledge and passion about gardening, plants, animals, and Hume’s natural environments. 
• Opportunity to learn new skills and knowledge, as well as develop and utilise skills and knowledge you already have. 
• Provide more habitat for local wildlife to thrive. 
• Improve habitat connectivity so that wildlife can move more easily and safely through the landscape. 
• Assist people to become better informed and engaged on biodiversity issues.  
• Experience joy and pride in caring for others and nature, by fostering positive environmental action, and encouraging people to experience beauty in their own gardens. 
• Be part of the Gardens for Wildlife Network operating throughout greater Melbourne and regional Victoria.

LIST OF TASKS:

1. Tasks that are carried out by Garden Guides:

• Prepare photo permission form and gift to take to garden visits. 
• Check online applications and confirm garden visits; reschedule visits as required.
• Undertake garden visits. 
• Talk with people about the wildlife they’d like to attract and offer gardening advice in a friendly, inclusive, and non-judgmental manner. 
• With the person’s permission, take some photos of their garden. 
• Prepare and send a report based on the garden visit with relevant recommendations, using a report template and the photos taken. 
• Promote the Gardens for Wildlife program. 

2. Tasks that will NOT carried out by Garden Guides:

• Designing gardens for people.
• Gardening duties like planting, weeding, mowing, pruning, etc. 
• Installing or maintaining habitat features. 

SKILLS OR EXPERIENCES NEEDED:

• Interest in gardening, native wildlife and/or sustainability.
• Initiative to select appropriate garden visit applications and contact participants to arrange their garden visit, and choose or delegate tasks with other partner Garden Guides.
• Ability to actively listen and communicate openly with others, particularly with a diverse range of people and those from a non-English speaking background.
• Demonstrated good organisational and time management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word to prepare documents and using the internet.

SCREENING REQUIREMENTS:

• Interview
• Referee Checks
• Police Check
• Working with Children's Check
• Drivers Licence

OTHER SCREENING REQUIREMENTS:

• Garden Guides will use their own vehicle to travel to garden visits, so will need to have comprehensive car insurance and complete Council’s Drive Safe Acknowledgement Form; reimbursement for the kilometers travelled will be offered.
• Garden Guides will need access to a computer and the internet to perform in this role
• Note: Carpooling can be arranged with partner Garden Guides, or alternative transport taken.

WORK HEALTH & SAFETY (WHS):

Volunteers are required to participate in the WHS process by:

• Following established safe working instructions, procedures and policies.
• Taking reasonable care for their own Work Health and Safety and that of others.
• Seeking assistance when unsure of practices, procedures and policies to perform a task.
• Reporting all incidents, injuries, near misses, damage to property and hazards as soon as practicable to their supervisor and the WHS Team.
• Actively participating and contributing to inspections, audits, team meetings and training.
• Ensure that relevant WHS legislation is complied with.

VOLUNTEER TASK ANALYSIS:

While performing the role’s duties, a volunteer may be expected to work in or be exposed to the following conditions or activities as marked.

VOLUNTEER TRAINING AND SUPPORT PLAN:

Department/Section/Program:

• Specific program training will be offered to Garden Guides, along with resource kits.
• Gardens for Wildlife workshops for all program participants.

Corporate:

• Council volunteer corporate induction session

Insert link to Volunteer Position Description