Education and Community Engagement Officer (Belfairs)

Kate on Conservation; Leigh; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Essex Wildlife Trust is seeking an Education and Community Engagement Officer to deliver nature-based learning for school groups and informal education for children and families. Based at Belfairs Nature Discovery Centre, you will support activities across South Essex and collaborate with the Wilder Learning team to widen access to wildlife.

The role emphasizes strong organisational skills, a passion for engagement, and the ability to foster inclusive, inspiring learning experiences for a

Qualifications

• Experience of leading groups in education activities.
• Passion for engagement and widening access to wildlife.
• Strong organisational and relational skills.
• Level 3 Forest School qualification is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Deliver formal and informal nature-based learning programmes to diverse audiences.
• Plan and deliver activities for children, families and young people, including KS4/KS5.
• Collaborate with Wilder Learning colleagues to provide engaging sessions.
• Deliver at Belfairs and other South Essex Nature Discovery Centres.

Skills

Leading groups in education activities

Engagement

Organisational skills

Relational skills

Education

Level 3 Forest School qualification (desirable)

Job description

We have an opportunity for a passionate individual to join us at Essex Wildlife Trust as an Education and Community Engagement Officer at our Belfair's Nature Discovery Centre.

As an Education and Community Engagement Officer, you will deliver formal and informal nature-based learning programmes to a diverse range of audiences, promoting the work of Essex Wildlife Trust. Whilst being based at Belfair's, this role will involve supporting delivery across our sites in South Essex.

You will deliver an education programme for school groups of all ages, including our popular KS4 and KS5 programme. You will also plan and deliver an engaging and inclusive programme of activities for children, families and young people as part of our successful informal learning programme. This may include Nature Tots and Babies, after school clubs, birthday parties and school holiday events.

The successful applicant will work alongside our Wilder Learning colleagues at Essex Wildlife Trust in a dynamic, inclusive, and inspiring environment. You will have a passion for engagement and enjoy delivering formal and informal sessions for a range of audiences. You will have highly developed organisational and relational skills, experience of leading groups in education activities and an infectious, driven energy for our work. You will also have the same passion as us for widening access to nature.

Essex Wildlife Trust has nine Nature Discovery Centres across Essex. The post holder will work alongside the team in South Essex to share ideas and collaborate to ensure our planned activities and events continue to be an engaging experience for the children and young people attending.

This role provides an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about making a difference to wildlife and people, helping to build our profile as one of the largest providers of county-based outdoor education.

This role is well suited to applicants with prior experience in wildlife conservation or environmental science, together with formal or informal education delivery. A Level 3 Forest School qualification is desirable but not essential.

It is essential that the successful person is passionate about wildlife, nature and providing age-appropriate engaging activities within a safe environment for a charity that protects wildlife for the future and people of Essex.

The position is a permanent role, working 37.5 hours per week and based at Belfairs Nature Discovery Centre near Leigh on Sea. The starting salary for this role is £27,444 per annum.

Please note that delivery will be at Belfair's and other locations across our South Essex cluster of Nature Discovery Centres.