Transect Co-Ordinator (Bristol and Somerset)

Transect Coordinator (Bristol and Somerset)

This volunteer role supports the coordination of butterfly transect surveys in the Branch area as part of the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS). The Transect Coordinator helps support, recruit and guide volunteer Transect Surveyors, maintain and develop the local transect network, and ensure survey data is submitted and shared effectively.

This role plays an important part in monitoring and conserving butterflies and day flying moths, while connecting with a community of people passionate about wildlife and citizen science.

Volunteer role

Transect Co Ordinator

Volunteer manager

UKBMS Programme Lead / Butterfly Monitoring Officer

Where you will be based

Home

Why we want you

This is a key role which makes an important contribution to the collection and analysis of butterfly and day flying moth records in your local area. We will ask you to help us to:

• Co ordinate transect recording each season, on behalf of the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS), within your Branch area.
• Co ordinate the submission and verification of transect data through the season.
• Maintain the transect network and promote transect recording within your branch area.
• Share the results of the recording season with the local branch, other UKBMS volunteers and local site managers.

What you will be doing

• Maintain site information for all transects in the Branch area, including a list of volunteers who are surveying them.
• Advise and support the local transect recorders over issues of commitment, methodology and route design.
• Co ordinate the submission and verification of transect data on the UKBMS website.
• Liaise with County Recorders to make sure the data are made available to local datasets in suitable formats.
• Promote transect recording to the local butterfly recording community.
• Recruit and train new volunteer recorders and match them to suitable transects.
• Seek to maintain the existing transect network, especially long running transects at key sites or including priority species.
• Establish new transects to fill gaps and improve the monitoring of key species and habitats where required.
• Be prepared to help volunteers interpret their results and provide useful feedback to site managers.

The skills you need

• Enjoy working with other people.
• Ability to communicate effectively with butterfly enthusiasts and site managers.
• Well organised and have some experience in keeping records.
• Confidence using a computer and access to the internet; some experience with Excel would be useful, but not essential.
• Good understanding of the principles and objectives of long term monitoring.

What's in it for you

• Involve new people in recording butterflies scientifically, and increase the number of butterfly records in your area.
• Increase your knowledge and experience of the technical aspects of collecting and analysing long term butterfly data.
• Increase your social circle with like minded people, boosting your wellbeing.

Disclaimer

The transect season runs from 1 April to 30 September, but this role is active all year round. Early spring is a key time for helping volunteers establish new transect routes and autumn is a key period for chasing and validating data. This role can be done from home, though field meetings with new volunteers or site managers can be beneficial. We are flexible about the days and times at which you volunteer.

You can expect to spend around 1 to 7 hours a week on this role, at different times of year. We ask for a minimum commitment of 12 months. You will be asked to complete training on starting in the role and may also be asked to complete refresher training from time to time. Children aged must be accompanied by an adult while volunteering. If you are aged 16 or 17, your parent may give written permission for you to volunteer unaccompanied. Please be aware that our insurance cover differs slightly for people aged 75 or over. Please contact the Volunteering Team for more information.

Photo credit: Gatekeeper - Andrew Cooper, Chalkhill Blue - Iain Leach