Welsh Harp Environmental Education CentreEducationOfficer

Salary: £24,000.00 - £27,000 per annum

Contract length: 12months Fixed term contract (with potential to be extended)

Location:Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre, Birchen Grove, London, NW9 8RY.

Responsible to: Thames21 Education Officer

Purpose of the job

  • Develop and delivercurriculum linked education sessions and activities.
  • Develop new activities and work streams with the Education coordinator
  • Deliver training sessions for teachers/young people.
  • Work with Education Coordinator to plan a calendar of school visits.
  • Lead freelance educators in delivery of education sessions.
  • Develop and deliver a range of wild play and holiday education/engagement activities.

Main duties and responsibilities

This role is to work with theEducation Coordinator to plan, co-ordinate, and deliver curriculum linked and wild play education at the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre (WHEEC).

The post holder will have proven outdoor curriculum linked educationdelivery and planning skills and have confident communication, administration and organisational skills, and be self-motivated.

Background

The WHEEC was previously run by Brent Council to allow young people in North West London to experience wildlife and learn about the natural world. In 2015, Thames21 took over the centre and now delivers curriculum linked and wild play education at the centre.

The centre consists of 2 classrooms, a small office, shower and toilet facilities as well as 5ha’s of native woodland, 2 ponds, a small stream and a wildflower meadow. The site has excellent links to the Welsh Harp SSSI which is one of the best sites for birds and wildlife in London.

Main duties and responsibilities:

  • Delivery of education sessions and activities at the WHEEC.
  • Development of curriculum linked education sessions and resources.
  • Continual review of programme to ensure it is current to the curriculum and Learning Outside of the Classroom opportunities.
  • Maintenanceof the WHEEC contacts database.
  • Outreach to schools and organisations involved with the WHEEC and development of new contacts.
  • Support Education Coordinator to design training for educators and ‘river ambassadors’.
  • Seek feedback from relevant parties.
  • Lead freelance educators in delivery of education events at the WHEEC.

Applicants should have:

  • Strong working knowledge of the National Curriculum.
  • Proventrack record of successfully deliveringoutdoor curriculum linkedsessions.
  • Demonstrable experience of developing curriculum linked sessions and resources.
  • Good wildlife identification skills.
  • Excellent verbal communication skills.
  • Experience of delivering wild play education programmes.
  • Knowledge of water environment.
  • Excellent administrative and organisational skills.
  • Knowledge of modernpresentation tools.
  • Good experience of working with and engaging schools, and people of all ages.

Person Specification

It is essential that in your application you give evidence or examples of your proven experience in each of the following criteria including the competencies.

Qualification, development & knowledge: / Essential / Desirable / Assessed by
Relevant academic or professional qualification desirable / √ / Application
Ability to work well within a team / √ / Application & Interview
An understanding of the environmental issues that face urban waterways / √ / Application & Interview
Strong working knowledge of the National Curriculum / √ / Application & Interview
Good wildlife identification skills / √ / Application & Interview

Experience of:

A minimum of two years’ classroom delivery experience. / √ / Application
Demonstrable experience of developing curriculum linked sessions and resources / √ / Application & Interview
Experience of organising and delivering practical activities to schoolchildren / √ / Application & Interview
Experience of working with and engaging communities, including local groups, schools and people of all ages / √ / Application & Interview
Proven track record of successfully delivering outdoor curriculum linked sessions. / √ / Application & Interview
Experience of delivering LoTC accredited sessions / √ / Application & Interview

Skills and competencies:

Excellent verbal, written, communication and IT skills / √ / Application & Interview
Demonstrate an understanding of the Health & Safety issues that arise during outdoor learning activities. / √ / Application & Interview
Excellent presentation skills. / √ / Interview

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • 25 days paid annual leave are available plus public holidays. In addition, the Thames21 office is closed between Christmas and New Year.
  • Thames21 operates a flexitime system of working
  • Interest free season ticket loan or bike loan
  • Childcare voucher scheme
  • Mobile phone for company use
  • The post holder must be willing to travel sensibly throughout London and occasionally throughout the UK over night

Closing date for completed application forms: 5pm Friday8th July 2016

Completed application forms should be sent to by email to

Or posted to: Michael Heath, Personnel Manager, Thames21, Walbrook Wharf, 78-83 Upper Thames Street, London EC4R 3TD