Lifeboat Press Officer - Kirkwall

About us

The RNLI’s Lifeboat Station in Kirkwall is looking for a volunteer to join the existing team in the role of Lifeboat Press Officer

Officially established in 1972, Kirkwall is a relatively recent addition to Scotland’s coastal rescue services. The crews have been awarded three medals for gallantry during their lifesaving history. The Lifeboat Crew are all volunteers, headed up by the Lifeboat Operations Manager and Launch Authorities and supported by a Shore Crew team. The wider team includes volunteer fundraisers, shop volunteers and water safety presenters.

The impact you will make

You will help us save lives at sea by raising awareness of the RNLI, through promoting the activity of the lifeboat station, highlighting the lifesaving work of our volunteers and sharing key messages via local, digital and social media.

What you will be doing

• Keeping local media informed of lifesaving activity, promoting newsworthy rescues, lifeboat station events and RNLI campaigns via a variety of channels
• Producing and distributing regular new releases with photos and/or video, to a standard RNLI format by email, uploading to the RNLI News Centre and posting to social media
• Being available to answer media enquiries
• Supporting or arranging media opportunities when requested by the Media Engagement Team
• Briefing station representatives and crew members for interview or acting as spokesperson
• Keeping the Lifeboat Operations Manager and Regional Media Engagement Team informed of all media activity and reputational concerns
• Attending station management meetings and liaising regularly with fellow officers about current activity
• Acquiring and maintaining an up-to-date knowledge of your lifeboat station and the RNLI

Find out more about becoming a lifeboat station volunteer

What you need for this role

• Excellent writing, communication, and IT skills
• Good interpersonal and media relations skills
• Ability to work well under pressure and be flexible
• Influencing, tact and diplomacy skills
• Interest in new media/video editing/photography

What’s in it for you

• Join an inclusive and diverse organisation
• Have fun, meet new people and join a motivated and enthusiastic team who are making a difference
• Learn skills and gain experience to enhance your CV
• Gain the satisfaction of giving back
• Training to fulfil your volunteer role will be provided and reasonable out of pocket expenses reimbursed

Safeguarding

The RNLI is committed to safeguarding; ensuring the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.  We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment and have a zero tolerance approach to proven incidents of bullying, abuse, harassment  or exploitation.  The suitability of all prospective employees and volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment. This will include relevant criminal record checks being carried out dependent on the eligibility of the role. (England & Wales; DBS check, Scotland; Disclosure Scotland PVG, Northern Ireland; Access NI, Republic of Ireland; Garda Vetting; International, International Child Protection Certificate process).

Diversity at the RNLI

Our staff and volunteers have been saving lives at sea without prejudice for nearly 200 years. We respect and value diversity of background, skills and perspectives within our teams, and consider it essential to help us deliver a world-class lifesaving service. We are an inclusive organisation and welcome applications from everyone. In addition to having the skills needed for the role, we also look for applicants who share our commitment to living our RNLI values (trustworthy, courageous, selfless, and dependable), and helping us work towards Our Vision: To save Every One.