Department: / People & Property
Responsible to: / Environmental Education Services Officer
Responsible for: / Sessional Leaders and Volunteers
Salary: / £20,299 p.a. plus 10% pension
Hours: / 35 hours p.w.
Tenure: / 10 months initially
Location: / The Wolseley Centre
Background information (job title)
Our mission statement is:
“Staffordshire Wildlife Trust protects and enhances the wildlife and wild places of Staffordshire and promotes understanding, enjoyment and involvement in the natural world.”
A registered charity established in 1969 we are one of 47 county Wildlife Trusts throughout the UK and are supported by over 16,000 members.
The Trust owns or manages 26 nature reserves covering an area of 3,500 acres. Our staff are based in 6 locations around the county including our Headquarters at Wolseley Bridge, Stafford. We employ approximately 60 staff in 3 departments:- Living Landscapes, People and Property and Support Services. The Trust has a diverse workforce including site wardens, wildlife surveyors, community and education officers, catering and administration staff.
In addition we have two trading companies, one looking after the trading side of our business including a café at Westport Lake Visitor Centre, the other a consultancy service employing ecologists giving advice on environmental issues.
The overall aims of the education team are to increase opportunities for people to engage with Staffordshire Wildlife Trust through a range of services and activities for children, families and young people.
Job Purpose:
To develop and deliver the Trust’s environmental education, play and youth work in Southern Staffordshire. To support the Environmental Education Services Officer in the development and management of The Wolseley Education Centre. The post will be based The Wolseley Centre although there will be opportunities to work at other locations in the south of the county.
Responsibilities:
A. Oversee the day to day running of the centre-based environmental education programmes at the Wolseley Centre. This will include development of resources, administrating bookings, delivery work and organising/ Line managing sessional leaders.
B. Continue in the development of the Wolseley Education Centre, expanding the use of the centre beyond its current peak times. This will include the planning and delivery of Nature Tots programmes and delivering regular events e.g. Playday, Christmas Crafts.
C. Develop the Birthday Party programme to ensure increased uptake and interest, good promotion and good profits. Line manage the Birthday Party Sessional Leader/s.
D. Develop and deliver the Trust’s Wildplay programme at the Wolseley Centre as well as occasionally assisting with the delivery of sessions in other parts of Southern Staffs. Deliver the Aiming High funded Wildplay programme at Wolseley.
E. Support the Environmental Education Services Officer in promoting and marketing the various opportunities available at the Wolseley Centre (A-D) and work with partners to maintain the reputation of the centre as a quality provider of both formal and informal environmental education.
F. To keep records of all work undertaken, to include a teaching log and to implement systems that will enable evaluation and monitoring to take place including the gathering of baseline data.
G. Maintain adequate financial records in relation to work undertaken and take day to day responsibility for managing budgets allocated to specific areas of work.
H. Assist the Trust’s People & Property team in the delivery of events, projects and activities across the Southern part of Staffordshire, including; family learning, and Nature Space projects and education sessions on Nature Reserves.
I. Deliver bookings for the Secondary Education Programme on sites mainly in Southern Staffordshire (such as Croxall Lakes, Georges Hayes, Highgate Common, Doxey Marshes and Brankley Pastures).
J. To ensure the Wolseley Classrooms and storage container are kept presentable and in good order, including ordering of resources and keeping the stock organised.
K. To carry out H&S monitoring on the Classroom and storeroom areas and report in time for monthly H&S meetings.
L. To work with the Education Manager & Env Education Services Officer to identify and secure funded work to extend the post past its current 12 month term.
M. All staff should recognise the contribution that membership makes towards the running of the organisation. The post holder is therefore expected to understand the need for high standards of service to existing members and recognise their role in contributing towards ongoing membership recruitment, ensuring all team members play their part too.
N. All publicly available written information (e.g. leaflets, interpretation boards, e-newsletters) to be produced within SWT branding guidelines.
O. In order for the organisation to work effectively you may be required to assist with other areas of work and therefore you should be prepared to undertake other duties, appropriate to the post, as delegated by your line manager.
All staff are required to abide by organisational policies and procedures.
Person Specification Job Title: Education Officer
Criteria / Essential / Desirable / Assessment Method * /Qualifications
A degree in an environmental discipline / x / AF, I, P, QC
Introduction to teaching certificate (or higher) / x / AF, I, QC
First Aid certificate / x / AF, I, QC
Hygiene certificate / x / AF, I, QC
Full Driving Licence / x / AF, QC
Forest Schools Level 3 / X / AF, I, QC
Experience
Delivering environmental education to children and young people within the framework of the National Curriculum / x / AF, P, I
Assisting in the management of an environmental education programme, either centre or outreach based / x / AF, P, I
Delivering informal environmental play within a range of settings / x / AF, P, I
Direct interaction with visitors / x / AF, I
Proven track record of development and delivery
/ x / AF, IDelivering practical conservation work and horticultural themed work / x / AF, I, QC
Managing sessional staff and volunteers / x / AF, I
Experience of working with young people from a deprived background / x / AF, P, I
Skills/knowledge
Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to motivate and encourage the local community and work effectively with people of all ages, gender, ethnic origin, background and level of responsibility / x / AF, I, P
Good planning and organisational ability / x / AF, I, P
Ability to work within a busy team / x / AF, I
An ability to work accurately within limited timeframes / x / AF, I
A good level of practical conservation/horticulture skills / x / AF, I
Ability to work with people of all ages and backgrounds / x / AF, I
Good general IT skills i.e. Microsoft Office package: Word, PowerPoint and Excel / x / AF, I
Abilities
Job involves
· working late evenings and early mornings/ weekends and bank holidays were necessary
· working outside in all weather conditions
· driving around the County of Staffordshire, therefore applicants must have a full current driving licence (and access to a vehicle)
· frequent contact with young people and vulnerable adults, therefore a DBS check will be undertaken / AF, I
Job involves manual handling such as:
· Carrying equipment for play/education sessions to and from vehicle to site
· Erecting various sizes of tents for events
· carrying survey equipment to and from vehicle to site
· Loading/unloading tools and equipment / AF, I
*
I = interview T = test or assessment AF = application form
QC = qualification certificate P = presentation
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