Volunteering at the IES
The IES has been running a successful volunteering scheme for the past year and we are now looking to expand this scheme further. Volunteers gain knowledge and experience of working for a charitable organisation during a time of expansion, as well as an understanding of how professional bodies operate. This role is suitable for people in the environmental sector, those wishing to move into it, or someone with a desire to donate their skills to improving the environment.
Volunteers at the IES are not required to do mountains of filing or repetitive administrative tasks, but are given a special project to implement, with genuine responsibility and impact. Volunteers will pick up a wide range of inter-disciplinary skills and the outcomes of the special projects will complement their CVs.
Volunteers will have a chance to learn about the UK environment landscape through their interaction with industry, charities and the Government. They will meet successful environmentalists in different sectors.
"Volunteering at the IES has provided a variety of useful experiences. It's good to see how a learned membership organisation functions from the inside and due to the relatively small size of the team it's possible to feel that your actions do make a difference. It's an exciting time to come on board as the Institution goes from strength to strength and the urgency of environmental concerns becomes ever more apparent." - David Hawkins, IES Volunteer.
What we are looking for
Volunteers are given responsibility for implementing a special project, as well as day to day operational tasks, supporting the Project Officer. Special projects include:
Publicity – Producing a monthly environmental newsletter, aiding the publication of the IES journal, careers information and event organisation, as well as promotion of the Institution.
Website - Aid the regular updates and creation of new online resources for our members and the general public.
Research - Research new organisation to join the Institution, possible members and other revenue streams. Collating information for papers / reports on behalf of the Project Officer.
Membership - Liaise with the membership to deliver consultation responses, journal articles, membership events and increase membership services.
Events - Organise an event, workshop or conference.
The breadth of projects available means that we are not just looking for volunteers with Environmental Science experience but consider a wide range of candidates. We have tasks for graphic designers, events organisers and others. Why not contact the IES office to talk about the available opportunities.
"My employers considered my voluntary commitment to the IES as a reflection of my commitment to the environmental field...The IES highlighted the necessity of networking and provided me with great contacts for future employment...Staff encourage you to use initiative and therefore build confidence." - Chantal Brown, IES Volunteer.
"I'd done other internships and work of various kinds before, but the IES was the first organisation where I started doing what I had always wanted to do... Not only was I given responsibility for a range of tasks in an exciting and important field, but my work had a real impact... I felt like a part of the organisation, not just an employee; the Project Officer encouraged me to attend events, taught me a range of new skills and encouraged me to accomplish everything I could with a special project (the journal, in my case)." - Harry Joll, IES Volunteer
Destinations of Past Volunteers
We are extremely proud of our record of helping volunteers with the early steps of their career. After working at the IES employees and volunteers have gone on to curation at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), working in the education department of the London Wetlands Centre, editing an arts publication, and conducting EIA across the Middle East for Dar Al Handash Consultants.
"The staff and council are welcoming and supportive. Volunteers are encouraged to use their existing skills while new skills are nurtured." - Peter Crome, IES Volunteer.