Application Pack

Learning and Participation Officer

Cricklepit Mill

Commercial Road
Exeter

Devon

EX2 4AB

01392 279244


APPOINTMENT OF LEARNING AND PARTICIPATION OFFICER

BACKGROUND

Seaton Jurassic opened its doors to the public in March 2016 and has since welcomed tens of thousands of visitors. This £4 million project will engage people with East Devon's unique geological, coastal and marine heritage and attract a range of new visitors to the town of Seaton. It is by far the most ambitious interpretation facility on the Devon part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

The highly engaging, interactive visitor centre with café and retail facilities has an iconic design, immersive interpretation and strong links to the wider landscape to tell the unique and powerful story of the geology and marine ecology of the Jurassic Coast - England's first Natural World Heritage Site.

The centre itself is an impressive, environmentally sustainable building. Its location is ideal, being adjacent to the Seaton Tramway and the Seaton Wetlands. The offer will be hinged on:

·  Exciting interpretation: the “greatest story on earth”, interpreted using the principles of immersion, authenticity, participation and entertainment.

·  A variety of formal and informal activities, throughout the year, indoors and outdoors, and aimed at a wide range of audiences and learning styles.

·  Community ownership, with hundreds of volunteers helping to run the Centre, bring the stories to life and lead activities and events.

·  A warm welcome: an exceptional level of friendly service, putting the needs of our customers first and taking account of mobility and special needs.

·  A high quality, distinctive food offer at reasonable prices.

The Centre is expected to cater for 50,000 visitors per annum with a turnover of approximately £400,000. But it is much more than just a commercial operation; we aim to regenerate Seaton and change the mind-sets of those who visit the Centre.

Outside the main building has an enclosed area with wildlife gardens, play areas and interactive exhibits. Further afield there are four interpretation “discovery points” located in and around Seaton, designed to encourage people to explore the area around the Centre. A varied programme of events and activities will enhance project interpretation and extend its reach even further.

Partnership and community “ownership” are central to the project. The Centre is owned by East Devon District Council, operated by Devon Wildlife Trust and advised by the Natural Seaton Partnership, with strong representation from the local community.

The centre is operated by the Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT), via a trading subsidiary Devon Wildlife Services (DWS). The DWS is the principal employer for all the centre staff.

The Devon Wildlife Trust is a charity that exists to protect and enhance Devon’s wildlife and natural environment. DWT is one of 47 Trusts which together make up The Wildlife Trusts, a national partnership of independent local Trusts active in all aspects of wildlife conservation. DWT is one of the larger Trusts.

We are recruiting an Learning and Participation Officer to oversee the delivery of the Centre’s formal and informal learning activities and support the planning and delivery of other activities and events. The focus of this role is delivery and development. It is anticipated that the postholder will spend at least 50% of their time delivering events and education sessions. The other time will be spend on organising events and developing new materials, as well as liaising with schools and other education groups.

THE JOB

1.  Job Purpose

To plan and deliver the Seaton Jurassic Learning programme and other activities or events.

2.  Dimensions

·  This post is a full-time (37.5 hours per week) permanent role based at Seaton Jurassic.

·  Member of the Seaton Jurassic team and line managed by the Visitor Experience Manager.

·  Responsible for managing Events and Education volunteers.

·  The postholder has no line management responsibility for paid staff.

·  The postholder has budgetary responsibility for circa £5,000 to £10,000 per annum.

·  This post may require a DBS check.

3.  Principal Accountabilities

The most important tasks that the postholder will be expected to undertake in his/her day to day work are: -

·  Leading the planning and delivery of the Seaton Jurassic learning programme including both formal and informal activities and events;

·  Liaising with DWT education staff and schools regarding the design and delivery of relevant education programmes;

·  Responsible for marketing learning activities to schools and youth groups and taking bookings;

·  Ensuring growth in learning and participation events in line with annual budget targets;

·  Working with the Marketing and Events Officer to lead the planning and delivery of the Seaton Jurassic activities and events programme;

·  Working with the Marketing and Events Officer to commission design and print work for materials and advertising relating to education;

·  Working closely with the Visitor Experience Manager on the management of volunteers to ensure the successful delivery of external events and directly supervising events and education volunteers;

·  Advising on the need for upgrading and improving the exhibitions halls and visitor experience so that Seaton Jurassic maximises its potential educational impact;

·  Ensuring that all activities run with children and young people meet the Centre’s Child Welfare and Health and Safety requirements;

·  Ensuring that activities and events are properly evaluated and collating findings for management and funder reports.

In the course of delivering this work the postholder will need to have regard to: -

·  Champion the Centre’s standards and values;

·  Promote the work of DWT and encourage DWT memberships, recruitment and support;

·  Undertake other tasks as reasonably requested.

4.  Person Specification

Essential / Desirable
Skills & attributes / Good communication skills; written and verbal
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with a wide variety of people
Flexible attitude to work, able to work as a member of a team
Self-motivated and well organised, able to work on own initiative / Project management experience
Demonstrable ability to communicate to diverse audiences, individuals and groups / Able to inspire and engender support for environmental conservation from a wide range of audiences
Good IT skills and familiar with Microsoft Office applications
Able to inspire groups, especially school children
Knowledge & qualifications / Level 3 or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject or equivalent previous experience / Teaching qualification
Relevant vocational certificates, for example, First Aid, Child protection / Full driving licence
Background knowledge of the education sector understanding of current government initiatives and curriculum programmes
Experience / Event organisation and promotion / Experience of teaching in school
Previous experience of delivering education programmes
Background in developing and delivering public awareness events / Background in developing and delivering environmental awareness events
Previous experience of volunteer management
Experience of working in and with formal and informal partnerships
Proven commitment to diversity and inclusion

5.  Reporting Structure

The postholder reports to the Visitor Experience Manager and will work closely with all staff and volunteers at the Centre. There are no formal line management responsibilities for this role. However, the postholder will work with a number of volunteers and supervise the events and education volunteers supporting the delivery of activities and events.

6.  Working Relationships

Internally the postholder will work closely with:

·  Visitors to Seaton Jurassic

·  Colleagues and volunteers within the Centre

·  DWT’s teams delivering education and central functions

Externally the postholder will build relationships with:

·  Schools

·  Booked artist and performers

BRIEF SUMMARY OF TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

You will be employed by Devon Wildlife Services (DWS).

·  Location: the post is based at Seaton Jurassic in Seaton.

·  Salary is circa £21,000pa.

·  Working hours are 37.5 hours per week within the opening hours of Seaton Jurassic and includes working weekends.

·  Holidays: 33 days of paid leave to include your entitlement to Bank Holidays. You will be expected to work on Bank Holidays.

·  Travel: all reasonable travel costs incurred as part of the job will be reimbursed within DWS's approved rates.

·  Benefits: DWS contributes 3% of salary to a personal pension scheme (following a three month postponement period).

·  Probationary period: the appointment will be subject to a three-month probationary period.

·  Notice period: during the probationary period, notice will be one week by either party. On satisfactory completion of the probationary period this will increase to one month by either party.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

DWS’s recruitment and selection process aims to select the applicant whose qualifications, experience, knowledge and abilities most closely match the requirements of the post as set out in the Person Specification.

How to Apply

To apply for this post please complete the attached application form and send to Natasha Sprague at the address below or alternatively e-mail your application to . This should be accompanied by a covering letter of not more than two sides of A4 which you should use to demonstrate how you meet the requirements of experience, knowledge and skill as set out above. You may submit a CV but the application form must be completed in full. Please mark your letter ‘private’.

Natasha Sprague

Devon Wildlife Trust

Cricklepit Mill

Exeter

Devon

EX1 4AB

The deadline for receipt of applications is 8 March 2017.

Interviews

The interviews are likely to take place during the week beginning 13th and 20th March 2016. It is hoped that the successful candidate will be able to take up the post prior to the Easter opening or as soon as possible after then.

The interview panel is normally made up of two or three people. The purpose of the interview is to allow us to ask questions to expand on the information which you have provided on your application form so that we can make a judgement on the extent to which you meet, or exceed, the selection criteria for the post. We aim to do this objectively and fairly and the questions we ask will be specifically aimed to test the selection criteria.

If selected for interview you will be required to present documentary evidence to confirm qualifications identified in your application.

If you have not heard from us by 24 March please assume that we will not be calling you for interview.

Thank you for your interest in Seaton Jurassic.