Summary of the role
Role Overview
The Ambassador Programme Project Lead will coordinate and support the delivery of an
innovative community-led stewardship initiative at both Errigal Mountain, Co. Donegal and Croagh Patrick Mountain, Co Mayo and will be working in partnership with Cairde na
hEaragaile and Croagh Patrick Stakeholder group along with a range of local stakeholders
across both sites.
This fixed-term role will play a key part in establishing a new volunteer ambassador
programme for Errigal and the further development of the existing programme at Croagh
Patrick. These programmes empower local communities to protect and care for Ireland’s
iconic mountain landscapes while helping to manage increasing recreational pressures.
Reporting to the Programme Management Executive, the postholder will work closely with the wider Leave No Trace Ireland team to recruit, train and support the volunteer
ambassadors, coordinate stakeholder engagement activities, monitor programme progress, and contribute to the successful delivery of project objectives in line with PCES grant requirements.
Responsibilities of the role
Programme Coordination & Volunteer Management:
• Responsible for supporting the effective delivery of the Ambassador Programme and
achieving agreed project objectives.
• Coordinate all aspects of the Ambassador Programme, including volunteer
recruitment, training, and ongoing support for all volunteer ambassadors.
• Develop and maintain a volunteer rota ensuring consistent ambassador presence on
the Mountains throughout the programme period.
• Provide day-to-day support and troubleshooting for volunteer ambassadors, acting
as primary point of contact for queries and issues.
• Facilitate monthly volunteer check-ins (virtual and in-person) to maintain
engagement, gather feedback, and address challenges.
• Support Leave No Trace trainers in delivering the bespoke 4-day training programme
and ongoing CPD events.
Community & Stakeholder Engagement:
• Work closely with Cairde na hEaragaile and the Croagh Patrick Path Restoration Team
to ensure effective partnership coordination and local community engagement.
• Liaise regularly with NPWS rangers, Donegal County Council, Mayo County Council
landowners, and other key stakeholders to ensure programme alignment with site
management objectives.
• Coordinate and facilitate quarterly stakeholder meetings to review progress, address
issues, and maintain collaborative relationships.
• Coordinate community awareness events to promote the programme and encourage
responsible visitor behaviour.
• Represent Leave No Trace Ireland in the communities, building trust and positive
relationships.
Monitoring, Reporting & Administration:
• Develop and coordinate data collection on volunteer hours, visitor engagement, and
programme impacts to demonstrate outcomes.
• Conduct regular site visits to monitor programme delivery, observe ambassador
interactions, and identify areas for improvement.
• Provide regular updates and reports to the LNTI Executive Team and contribute to
PCES grant compliance reporting.
• Maintain accurate records of all programme activities, volunteer hours, stakeholder
meetings, and incident reports.
• Support the development of the year-end impact report and recommendations for
programme continuation.
Requirements
Education & Qualifications
Essential
Third-level qualification in environmental education, outdoor recreation, community development, or related field (or equivalent experience)
Desirable
Leave No Trace Trainer certification Postgraduate qualification in relevant field
Experience
Essential
- Proven experience of coordinating volunteers or community-led initiatives
- Experience of stakeholder engagement and building collaborative partnerships · Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision
- Experience of working in outdoor recreation, conservation, or community development contexts
Desirable
- Experience working in the environmental or not-for-profit sector
- Knowledge of the Errigal and / or Croagh Patrick areas and local communities
- Experience working with NPWS, local authorities, or statutory agencies
- Grant project coordination and compliance reporting
Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to engage diverse audiences · Strong organisational and project coordination skills
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a remote team
- Competent IT skills including Microsoft Office, email, and virtual meeting platforms
- Competent financial administrative skills
- Understanding of health and safety principles relevant to the role.
- Understanding of Leave No Trace principles and outdoor recreation management
Desirable
- Knowledge of protected area management and Natura 2000 sites
- Understanding of visitor management in sensitive mountain environments
- Familiarity with volunteer management best practices
- Irish language skills (spoken and written)
Personal Qualities
Essential
- A genuine commitment to Leave No Trace Ireland’s mission and values
- Self-motivated with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively
- Flexible and adaptable, with a positive approach to change and new challenges
- Passion for Ireland’s natural environment and community-led conservation
- Strong community connector with ability to build trust and rapport locally
- Resilient and solution-focused with good problem-solving skills
Desirable
- Active participant in outdoor recreation with understanding of hillwalking safety
Other Requirements
- Full clean driving licence and access to own transport (essential for regular travel and attendance at stakeholder meetings)
- Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends to accommodate volunteer and stakeholder schedules
- Garda vetting will be required prior to appointment due to working with volunteers, some of whom may be under 18.
- Based in or willing to be regularly present in the Errigal, Donegal and / or Croagh Patrick areas (remote/home-based role with regular travel requirements including to our Head Office in Westport, Co Mayo).
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About Leave No Trace Ireland
Leave No Trace Ireland is an award-winning not-for-profit organisation (with charitable status) made up of member organisations with a shared interest in encouraging responsible enjoyment of Ireland’s natural environment and outdoor heritage. The Leave No Trace programme promotes and inspires responsible outdoor recreation through education, research, partnerships and volunteerism throughout the island of Ireland.
We are a small, passionate team committed to making a real difference for people and the
natural environment. We offer a collaborative and values-driven working culture where every team member’s contribution matters. For more information, visit www.leavenotraceireland.org
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How to Apply
To apply for this role, please submit the following to [email protected] by
23rd September 2026:
• A current CV (no more than 2 pages)
• A cover letter (no more than 1 page) outlining your suitability for the role
• Contact details for two referees – referees will not be contacted without your prior
consent
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. We are unable to provide feedback on unsuccessful applications at the shortlisting stage.
Leave No Trace Ireland is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please let us know.
| Document Link | Type & Size |
|---|---|
| Project-Lead-Job-Description-Ambassador-Programme-2026.pdf | PDF - 0.7Mb |