Education and Community Engagement Officer (Belfairs)

Essex Wildlife Trust Ltd; Leigh on Sea; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Essex Wildlife Trust is looking for an Education and Community Engagement Officer at Belfairs Nature Discovery Centre near Leigh on Sea to deliver nature-based learning experiences for diverse audiences.

You will provide education programmes for school groups (KS4/KS5) and plan engaging activities for children, families and young people, across Belfairs and our South Essex sites. This permanent full-time role starts at £27,444 per year.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering education activities to diverse audiences.
• Background in wildlife conservation or environmental science.
• Forest School Level 3 qualification desirable but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Deliver education programmes for school groups across KS4/KS5.
• Plan and run activities for children, families and young people.
• Deliver both formal and informal nature-based learning sessions.
• Support delivery across South Essex sites.

Job description

Education and Community Engagement Officer (Belfairs)

Closing date: Thursday 5 November 2026
Salary: £27,444 Per Annum
Contract type: Permanent / Working hours: Full time
Location: Belfairs Park, Eastwood Road North, Leigh on Sea, SS9 4LR

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.

Interviews will be held on Thursday 19 November 2026.