Youth Representative

Join our amazing team of volunteers aged 16-24 to get involved with running activities for young people and sharing your passion for wildlife!

BTO studies the bird populations in the UK with data collected by of tens of thousands of volunteer birdwatchers. To make sure that young people are well-represented in the organisation and the work we do, we set up the Youth Advisory Panel (YAP). The panel wrote a youth engagement strategy and set up the Youth Representative scheme. Whereas YAP is a strategic group who come up with new ideas and plan our wider work, Youth Representatives organise events for young people in their own communities, helping them to access nature and birdwatching.

Who are we looking for?

We’re looking for motivated young people who want to join a community and make a difference. You should apply if you: 

• Are between 16 and 24 years old
• Speak and understand English well
• Are passionate about nature (but you don’t need to know everything about birds!)
• Are able to organise at least two events per year, in-person or online, with the support of our staff
• Have an open mind and are respectful of all people, even if they are different, or think differently, to you
• Want to help other young people find their connection with nature (but you don’t need experience in working with young people!)
• Are available to join virtual meetings on Zoom at least once a month, and in-person meetings at least once a year (all expenses are covered)

By applying, you commit to being a Youth Representative for at least one year if you are successful, with the option to stay longer if you want to (until you turn 26).

What do we offer you?

This is a volunteer position, which means there is no pay for this work. However, we will: 

• Cover all your expenses, including meals, transport, accommodation, and training
• Offer you extensive training, from First Aid and networking, to bird ID and public speaking
• Opportunities to represent BTO at events, such as conferences, exhibitions, fairs, university events, and more
• Give you 1:1 support; ranging from finding opportunities in topics you are interested in or need help with, to help with applying for jobs
• Provide references for you on job applications or university applications
• Access to BTO and its partners, giving you the chance to connect to a wide network of people, jobs and other opportunities in conservation.

Please find more information and apply on our website (due to restrictions on 'Get Involved Norfolk' website, we are unable to provide a direct web link to the full details on BTOs' website, or attach the application pack to this advert. Please contact us if you have trouble finding this and we can provide you with the link by email.