Green Investigators Volunteering Opportunities Brighton, Eastbourne, Hastings Run by Brighton Students’ Union and funded by the National Union of Students’ (NUS) Students’ Green Fund, Bright n Green is one of a small number of exciting and innovative sustainability-focused projects being run by students’ unions around the country this year. Through Bright n Green, there are many volunteering opportunities available, giving University of Brighton students the opportunity to gain practical work experience, knowledge and skills in a variety of areas. As part of Bright n Green, the Green Investigators programme has been developed to address issues around student housing in Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings. There are many students who are spending too much on their bills, having to put up with cold, inefficient and draughty homes. The Green Investigators aim to fix this problem by going out to student homes to audit a wide variety of structural and behavioural factors that might lead to students spending more than they should. Audited tenants and volunteers will receive tips and advice on saving water and energy as well as a variety of free, simple water and energy-saving devices worth around £40. All Green Investigators will receive an induction into the role and full training from certified industry professionals as well as on-going support from the Green Investigators team to carry out their work throughout the duration of the project. At the successful completion of the volunteers’ role within the project, volunteers can receive an official recommendation upon request. Bright n Green will pay reasonable travel expenses in order for volunteers to carry out their roles, and refreshments will be provided at all Green Investigators meetings and trainings. Because Bright n Green is a student-led project these volunteering positions are only open to Brighton Students’ Union members and associate members. All University of Brighton students are automatically given membership to the students’ union. For more information about the Green Investigators programme, please contact: BSULivingGreen@brighton.ac.uk (01273 642 791). To apply, please enter your details at http://bit.ly/1xZpnmm.
For more information about the overall Bright n Green project, check any of the links below. www.brightonsu.com/brightngreen/ /BSUBrightnGreen/ @BSUBrightnGreen
Green Investigator Role Description Duties and Responsibilities 1
Duration
1.1
February and March 2015
1.2
Commitment –3 surveys, each 2 – 3 hours + Data entry and training Total expected commitment = 20 – 24 hours
2
Required training
2.1
Attend all mandatory training sessions
2.1.1
2 x 4 hour sessions for auditing training in early November
3
Conduct sustainability audits of student homes (halls and private sector)
3.1
Visit student homes in pairs and carrying out a sustainability audit
3.2
Collect data about the building and the occupants’ behaviour
3.3
Record this information on the audit sheets provided
3.4
Report information to the resident and LivingGreen Project Coordinator
4
Helping student residents save money and keep their homes warmer
4.1
Providing behavioural advice to help save money and make their homes healthier and more comfortable Installing non-invasive, user-focused energy and water saving measures (eg: radiator reflectors, energy efficient lightbulbs, flush savers, etc …)
4.2
What you can gain from this role 1
Key Skills Communication skills for how to engage beneficiaries Knowledge of residential energy efficiency and sustainability practice Information gathering, analysis and translation Interpersonal skills through working with other volunteers
2
Training Energy efficiency and sustainability auditing training Health and safety briefing + safeguarding training Induction to Bright n Green project and Green Investigators
3
Other Meeting and working with others interested in the field of sustainability and the built environment Careers support and reference Have your own home audited and receive the same free items as other recipients
Person Specification Essential
Desirable
Qualifications and Training
Must be a full or associate member of Brighton Students’ Union
Auditing Methodology
Experience/ knowledge
None
Customer-oriented experience Experience of living in student accommodation
Skills
Proficient with computers and basic data entry Effective communication skills Excellent problem solving skills Ability to work unsupervised Excellent attention to detail Able to provide friendly, polite service to others
Auditing
Other factors
An interest in the environment and sustainability An interest in energy and water efficiency in the home
Please note that all volunteer roles are subject to ongoing performance evaluation and may be reviewed at any time.