The Learning & Visitor Assistant roles offers a great opportunity to connect school children with nature through the delivery of formal education sessions at one of the RSPB’s premier visitor haven sites. Leighton Moss and Morecambe Bay nature reserve is a busy year-round destination for keen birdwatchers, nature-loving families and those who simply enjoy being immersed in the great outdoors. Famous for its booming bitterns, dazzling bearded tits, swooping marsh harriers, playful otters and rutting red deer, this large wetland site attracts around 100,000 visitors each year.   

We have two positions on offer one role to work on Mondays and Thursdays and the other to work Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 

This role will work with the Learning Officer delivering outdoor education sessions to school groups of all ages. We engage with approximately 3,000 children and students from about 100 schools per year. The role will also include hosting informal youth groups out of school hours and working with the Visitor Experience team to deliver family events during school holidays.   

Key activities for this role will include:

• To deliver RSPB National Curriculum-linked programmes to early years, primary and secondary schools encouraging a connection to nature.
• To host informal nature-based activities for youth/uniformed groups.
• To provide support in developing and delivering family events on the reserve.
• To support the promotion of our educational offer through social media and press releases.
• To maintain teaching equipment, resources and materials and outdoor learning spaces.
• To work with, lead and support volunteers when working with school groups.

As a key member of the Learning team, you will assist the Learning Officer with the development and delivery of our highly successful educational offer, maintaining the standards set by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge.

Essential experience, skills and knowledge

Please give specific responses and examples to each of the following:

• Previous teaching experience or experience of working with groups of young people.
• Experience of working in outdoor environmental education.
• Confidence and ability to facilitate a day’s educational programme both outdoors and in the classroom with school children, Class Teachers and other accompanying adults.
• Ability to work with and engage a wide variety of ages and abilities of children.
• Abundant enthusiasm and excellent communication skills.
• Computer literate.
• Good level of general ecological and natural history knowledge.
• Good understanding of Health, Safety and Child Welfare in an outdoor education setting.
• A team player who can lead, motivate and inspire people, including volunteers.
• Problem solving skills, quick thinking and ability to use initiative.
• A flexible approach to working hours including occasional weekends and evenings.

Desirable qualifications and knowledge:

• Teaching qualification.
• First Aid qualification.
• Working knowledge of the National Curriculum.

The two positions are both offered on an 8 month fixed term contract, one working Mondays and Thursdays and the other working Tuesday and Wednesday.  Each role is for 15 hours per week.  The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position on Tuesday 1st February 2022. For further information please contact carol.bamber@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 covered by 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.