Job description

Job title:Education Engagement Officer

Location:Home based – work throughout the Yorkshire Dales and surrounding area as part of a small, dispersed team.

Accountable to:Director

Salary:£20,000- £23,000 (pro rata)

Hours:22.5 hours per week – flexible working hours (term-time working may be considered).

Term:Permanent

Transport:You will be required to provide a car but will be reimbursed for business-related mileage (currently 45 pence per mile). Much of the travelling will be in the Trust’s mobile education classroom (long wheel-base van).

Employment subject to:Satisfactory references, Disclosure & Barring Service check and six-month probationary period.

The Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust is supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery fund.

The Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust

The Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust is a registered charity covering the Swale, Ure, Nidd, Ouse and Wharfe catchment areas with a mission to:

  • Protect and conserve river environments and inspire others to contribute to this;
  • Provide opportunities for people to learn about and enjoy rivers;
  • Encourage partnership and collaborative working at a catchment scale.

The Trust undertakes a wide range of practical projects to improve the water quality and habitat of rivers and streams and to inspire other people to care about these environments. This includes working with farmers, landowners and communities to reduce water pollution, improve river habitat, address barriers to fish migration, and reduce the risk of damage from flooding. Volunteers have always been an essential component of the Trust, assisting with practical conservation work, monitoring and events.

The Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust also hosts two catchment partnerships as part of the ‘Catchment based approach’ initiative, which act to facilitate working and coordinate activities across the catchment.

The Trust evolved from a group of committed volunteers and is now overseen by a board of 11 volunteer trustees. The Trust currently employs five members of staff who are home-based with occasional use of office space at Pateley Bridge. This will increase to seven, with the appointment of the Education and Engagement Officer and a Project Officer. The working culture of the Trust encourages a professional, committed and independent approach.

Rivers 2U Project

Providing opportunities for people of all ages to learn about and enjoy river environments is central to the Trust’s mission. This includes primary and secondary school visits, community events, attending agricultural shows and other bespoke events. Using grant funding from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, the Trust has already developed a programme of educational activities, purchased a river education table and started visiting local schools.

Thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Trust plans to expand the Rivers 2U project. A programme of engagement activities over a 30 month period will provide opportunities for a wide range of audiences to enjoy and learn about river environments.

The project will include the purchase and fitting out of a mobile classroom facility to deliver over 25 visits to local schools, activities with local groups such as Scouts, Guides and Young Farmers Clubs, community events and information stands at shows. The project will also include the recruitment and training of volunteers to monitor rivers and identify problems.

Education & Engagement Officer

As part of the Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust’s growing programme of educational activities, it is looking to recruit an enthusiastic, reliable and experienced Education and Engagement Officer. This is an exciting role for an individual interested environmental education to join the Trust to be part of this area of growth and development.

The successful candidate initially will lead the HLF funded Rivers 2U project. You will work alongside other staff members to develop an innovative programme of outreach activities to support the wider activities of the Trust. The main purpose of the position is to organise and deliver a programme of learning opportunities that will allow children and adults to better understand and enjoy their local river environments and take appropriate action to protect them.

The successful candidate will mainly be home based but will work across the Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust’s area. The Trust is able to use office meeting space at Pateley Bridge and is looking for an office in the same area. It is expected that the successful candidate will work in the office approximately one day a week. The candidate will be flexible, with occasional evening and weekend working. The officer will work well both alone and as part of a team of paid staff and volunteers.

Education & Engagement Officer Job Specification

Main objectives
  • Provide opportunities for people to enjoy river environments and wildlife

  • Help people to develop an awareness, knowledge, attitudes, skills and participation that will support conservation of local river environments

  • Organise and deliver education activities with primary and secondary schools to complement the National Curriculum

  • Work with other Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust staff, trustees and volunteers and partner organisation staff to deliver the objectives of the Trust

Key responsibilities
  • Develop new and improve existing resources and activities to engage people in learning about rivers, including work booklets for schools

  • Organise and deliver activities and events including with schools and community groups

  • Act as project manager for the Rivers 2U project, including managing the budget, programme of work and ensuring the maintenance of the mobile classroom vehicle

  • Promote and advertise the Trust’s activities including through publications, e-news, the Trust’s website, social media and development of a digital map

  • Coordinate volunteers to monitor the river environment

  • Develop and maintain strong working relationships with other local organisations, including schools and community groups, working in partnership to enhance nature conservation and developing opportunities for people of all ages to get involved

  • Keep accurate records of all educational services provided, including evaluations and contact details of participating organisations and individuals

  • Fulfil all relevant Health & Safety and Child/ Vulnerable Adult Protection requirements and obtain a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check

  • Identify and apply to appropriate funding sources to extend the Trust’s education and engagement activities

  • Act in a resource-efficient way and minimise the impacts to the environment wherever possible

  • Promote the work of the Trust and partners in the course of day-to-day activities and present a positive and welcoming image of the Trust to everyone

This job description cannot cover every issue or task that may arise. The successful candidate may be expected to carry out other duties which are consistent with the aim and objectives of the post.

Education & Engagement Officer Job-holder competency profile

Category / Competency / Essential or desirable
Qualifications & experience / A degree, vocational or equivalent qualification / Essential
Current driving licence and vehicle which can be used for work purposes / Essential
Experience of teaching school-aged children in classroom and outdoor settings / Essential
Proven record of delivering environmental or education events for a wide audience / Essential
Experience of working with volunteers or community groups from a range of backgrounds / Desirable
Experience of producing educational materials such as displays, leaflets and booklets / Desirable
Knowledge / A good general knowledge of the natural environment / Essential
A good general knowledge of river ecosystems / Desirable
An understanding of the principles of engaging with and involving children, young people and adults in local nature conservation / Essential
An understanding of health and safety and child protection requirements, relating to outdoor activities and working with volunteers / Essential
Skills / Excellent oral and written communications skills and ability to engage a variety of audiences / Essential
Ability to use Windows/ Microsoft Office-based computing skills including Word, Excel, Power Point and email / Essential
Excellent administrative and organisational skills / Essential
Ability to communicate using websites and social media / Essential
Experience in producing funding applications / Desirable
Experience in managing budgets / Desirable
Ability to manage staff, including volunteers / Essential
Personal attributes / Friendly and approachable / Essential
Ambitious, self- motivated and dynamic with an ability to work on own initiative / Essential
Proactive and insightful, knowing when to seek help to solve problems at an early stage / Essential
Highly resourceful and creative, with a proven ability to solve problems / Essential
Ability to prioritise and organise resources to deliver work on time, to budget and agreed quality standards / Essential
Ability to lead and inspire others / Essential
Adaptable to be able to work both independently and as part of a team / Essential
Capacity and aptitude to work flexibly, with occasional evening and weekend working / Essential
Work space at home, conducive to productive home working / Essential

Terms and conditions

The following terms and conditions are typically offered to Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust staff and are set out as a guide only. Terms and conditions may vary according to circumstances and this summary does not form part of any subsequent employment contract.

Probationary period:Six months. During the probationary period, the contract may be terminated with one week’s notice.

Annual leave:25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata)

Pension:Contributory pension. The Trust contributes 6% salary.

Contract:There is potential for this this to become a full time post, if funding becomes available, either by increasing the hours of the candidate or through a job-share.

Location:The Trust is currently able to use meeting room space at the Nidderdale AONB offices at Pateley Bridge and the Education & Engagement Officer will be expected to attend team and other meeting at Pateley Bridge. The Trust is currently looking for office space in the Pateley Bridge area, so the successful candidate would be expected to work in the office approximately one day a week with the rest of the team.

To apply:

If you wish to apply, please send a CV (no more than two sides of A4) and covering letter (no more than two sides of A4), outlining how you meet the requirements of the person specification and job description and email to the Director of Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust, Charles Forman

Applications must be received no later than 17.00 on Friday 14th July 2017

Interviews will be held on Tuesday 1st August at Nidderdale AONB offices, The Old Workhouse, King Street, Pateley Bridge, HG3 5LE.

If you would like more information on the role before submitting an application, you may contact Rita Mercer or 07807 116 141.

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