Melissa Howell
What employment sector do you work in?
Public Sector
How long have you had a green job for nature?
10 years
Salary Range
£25,001 – £30,000
Please describe the work that you do.
Managing a cohort of 300 volunteers. Driving work programmes and recruiting, training and retaining. Maintaining CRM system. Collaborative working with many local partnerships, stakeholders and colleagues within diverse functions. Developing the volunteering strategy.
What do you most like about your job? Any dislikes?
Very reactive so don’t get much time to be proactive. Managing expectations is the hardest part. Can be very rewarding as get to see people improve their mental health and well-being whilst contributing to their community and local environment.
What inspired you into this career?
Was part of my job previously and then tried it as all of my job. Always aspired to work for the Forestry Commission.
Have you faced any challenges in progressing your career so far?
Yes, difficult when you have a family to get hours of work to marry up with managing family life.
What education/training did you have?
Corporate background and then undertook a conservation undergraduate degree.
What advice would you give to someone coming into the profession?
Don’t give up. Take every opportunity to network and keep an open mind. Try to take advantage of free training offered by organisations. You never know who you will meet in them or what opportunities it will open up.
—
Tags: England, Public sector, Forestry and arboriculture roles, Project manager, Community and volunteer engagement
Related Job Profiles
Charlie Ward
Vasiliki Katsorida
Abbie Ferrar
