This is a fantastic opportunity to inspire a generation of children at RSPB Old Moor in the Dearne Valley. Connecting children to nature through environmental education is a core part of the RSPB’s work and we are looking for a passionate and inspirational educator with good general knowledge of ecology and natural history to join our friendly and supportive team.

RSPB Old Moor is a wetland wildlife reserve between Rotherham and Barnsley, which has just been awarded SSSI status (Site of Special Scientific Interest) for its wildlife.  We are also delivering a project thanks to funding from the NLHF (National Lottery Heritage Fund) for a programme of events, activities, and site improvements to make RSPB Old Moor even better for our wildlife and visitors.

We will be aiming to host school visits again from Spring 2022 and the learning officer will be central to building positive connections with schools and inviting them to visit and participate in our Schools on Reserves programme. The learning officer will facilitate their visits and lead in all aspects of delivering learning experiences on site, utilising the amazing natural environment of the reserve.

What’s the role about?

• Delivering RSPB curriculum linked programmes to early years, primary schools, secondary and tertiary students that encourage a connection to nature, in an outdoor setting.
• Delivering programmes to an agreed number of pupils within the academic year to meet annual targets.
• Recruiting, developing and leading learning assistants and volunteers to assist in the facilitation of school visits and delivery of sessions.
• Actively promoting the Schools on Reserves programme to schools and local education authorities.
• Organising and planning a balanced timetable of school group visits to the site to ensure maximum use of your time for teaching.
• Collating and inputting booking information onto the RSPB’s education database to help maintain accurate records and providing reports and feedback to head office staff as required.
• Ensuring the teaching and learning provision at the reserve meets the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge standards.
• Ensuring maintenance of teaching equipment and resources at the reserve.
• Deliver non-curriculum linked visitor engagement as appropriate, to support the broader visitor operation on site.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Good level of general ecological and natural history knowledge
• Good knowledge of environmental education delivery methods and an understanding of different teaching and learning styles appropriate to the outdoor setting.
• Good understanding of Health & Safety and Safeguarding issues with regards to outdoor education.
• Excellent communication skills and a confident educator, able to teach young people of a wide range of ages and ability.
• Confident at networking with educational stakeholders.
• Strong organisational and planning ability to facilitate the delivery of the education programme.
• Able to interpret national programmes to ensure inspiring sessions maximise the potential of the reserve.
• Experience of working through the National Curriculum to deliver environmental education.
• Experience of organising and delivering school groups activities on a nature reserve or similar.
• Experience of managing seasonal staff and developing education volunteers in environmental educational delivery on nature reserves or similar

This is a permanent, part-time role for 22.5 hours per week. These hours will usually be weekdays, and some flexibility to accommodate school booking requirements will be necessary. You will work at the reserve, either outdoors delivering education sessions, or in the office for desk-based tasks.  Typically Tuesday to Thursday, with some flexibility required around school bookings. 

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 31st January. For further information please contact Harry.Wood@rspb.org.uk

As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

This role will require completion of a DBS in addition to the standard pre-employment checks.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.