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Water Policy Adviser
Ongoing voluntary role – typically 2-4 hours per week; volunteer flexibly either from home or in our small office in Welwyn village, Hertfordshire. This is a new volunteer role to assist with our ongoing campaigns, specifically on issues with regard to water and water-related infrastructure – both clean water supply (or lack thereof), and waste water processing capacity (or lack thereof).
CPRE Hertfordshire is a long-standing and well-regarded environmental charity dedicated to protecting, promoting and enhancing the Hertfordshire countryside, for everyone’s benefit.
With proposals for thousands of new dwellings across Hertfordshire, along with water-hungry commercial developments such as data centres, there is increasing demand for water. Yet at the same time, we are experiencing hotter, dryer summers resulting in hosepipe bans and exhortations for everyone to use water more sparingly. Meanwhile, during wetter winters we are seeing unacceptable levels of sewage flowing into rivers and chalk streams on account of storm overflows at treatment works. And the overall context is that southeastern England is the most water-stressed area in the UK, with unacceptably high levels of abstraction from aquifers threatening certain wildlife habitats.
So where will new water supplies come from? How will waste water treatment facilities cope with additional volumes? How can our precious chalk streams and their habitats be better protected? Your role will be to help ensure these issues are fully incorporated in our campaigns and lobbying.
In this volunteer role, you will interact regularly with our Planning team, our Chief Executive, and other volunteers.
What will you be doing?
- Building your understanding of water supply, wastewater infrastructure, chalk streams and related planning issues in Hertfordshire.
- Monitoring emerging water-related issues relevant to CPRE Hertfordshire campaigns.
- Advising our planning and campaigns teams on water matters.
- Reviewing consultation responses, campaign materials and policy submissions to ensure water issues are properly addressed.
- Helping develop evidence-based campaign positions and messaging.
- Attending occasional meetings with staff and volunteers.
- Identifying opportunities for new campaigns relating to water resources, chalk streams and sustainable development.
- Optionally representing CPRE Hertfordshire at local events, workshops and meetings.
If you are not already familiar with local water issues, we will help point you in the right direction. You will need to be self-motivated and willing to undertake some independent reading and research. You will not be working alone; our staff and volunteers will provide support, context and guidance as you develop your knowledge.
What are we looking for?
No particular experience is required but previous exposure to water issues and to the planning system would be helpful.
However, you should have:
- A keen and enthusiastic interest in local environmental issues – particularly issues associated with water supply and waste water processing;
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to make sense of complex information;
- Good written and verbal communication skills;
- Be self-motivated and reliable;
- Happy to volunteer independently and as part of a team;
- Must have own computer and be comfortable using Microsoft software applications;
- Must live in Hertfordshire or nearby.
What difference will you make?
As our Volunteer Water Policy Advisor you will make a significant and direct contribution to our core work, identifying issues and helping formulate our campaigns to protect the countryside.
What’s in it for the volunteer?
Some of our existing volunteers have been with us for many years. Why do they volunteer with us and what will you get out of it?
- Have the satisfaction of using your skills and experience to make a real difference for the countryside
- Gain knowledge and experience in a new area
- Have some variety from your regular work or routine
- Meet like-minded people and enjoy being part of a team
- Get involved with events and workshops on a local and national level
- The opportunity to learn about a wide range of issues facing the countryside, should you wish to become more involved in our work
- We can give you a reference for your future work or volunteering
For more information or to apply please contact us at volunteering@cpreherts.org.uk
You may also wish to download the role profile, for reference.
The Hertfordshire countryside is wonderful – help us to look after it.
