Education & Lifelong Learning Officer

Job Overview

Barnes Common Limited (BCL) is looking to recruit an Education & Lifelong Learning Officer to grow its output by expanding its school network and offering additional activities for both adults and families. A key function of this role will be the facilitation of environmental education activities to learners of all ages, year-round.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a small but dedicated and dynamic management team, working closely with the Board of Trustees, in an award-winning community organisation, recognised for leadership in 3rd sector service provision.

BCL is a charitable company, limited by guarantee, which works closely with the community to respond to the challenges of climate change, biodiversity and wellbeing. BCL works in in partnership or collaboration with other organisations, particularly Richmond Council (LBRuT).

Our Education & Lifelong Learning output has grown significantly in the past 5 years, reaching over 1,800 children and adults in the past financial year. We provide opportunities for all ages, backgrounds and levels of expertise to engage, either through school programmes such as curriculum-linked learning and nature connection activities, or to family community learning events (weekends and after-school), as well as a wide range of walks, talks and workshops.

This is a fixed term contract for one year for three days a week. Depending on funding and for the right candidate, it is possible that this contract could be further extended.

Salary will be £20,000 per annum.

The post will require some work at weekends or evenings, but work arrangements can be flexible.

The Officer will report to BCL’s Education & Lifelong Learning Manager and will work in collaboration with BCL’s Business Operations Manager and Conservation team to ensure that learning outputs are informed by and complement BCL’s conservation and public engagement work.

Job Duties & Responsibilities:

• Facilitating Environmental Education for school groups – this will primarily involve facilitating creative, engaging and informative outdoor environmental learning experiences, but may also include engaging learning with nature, indoors on occasions.
• Facilitating Environmental Education for family groups – engaging families with nature outside of school hours, including during holiday periods and occasional weekends and evenings.
• Facilitating Lifelong Learning for adults – working with the Manager, the postholder will assist and lead on the facilitation of walks, talks, workshops and other activities aimed at adult audiences.
• Public engagement activities – promoting the work of Barnes Common and providing informal engagement and learning experiences to the wider public, for example at fairs, festivals etc.
• Session development and planning – expand and enhance our current output by working with the Manager to propose and develop new ideas and trial new activities.
• Resource management and maintenance – organising the learning resources, ensuring the necessary materials are in good and safe condition and are stored appropriately.
• Stakeholder engagement and management – working collaboratively with the Manager, the postholder will assist in organising work schedules and managing calendars, liaising with schools, ensuring all work is delivered to a high standard.
• Safeguarding and Health & Safety – to ensure all activities are suitable for participants’ ages and are safely and professionally delivered where the relevant Health and Safety Policy, Child Protection and Safeguarding policies, risk assessments and emergency procedures are fully understood and implemented.
• Legacy – to identify where opportunities may exist for income generation, feeding into the future sustainability of any learning programmes that have been developed and community resilience that has been built.
• Data management and recording – to develop and implement an effective recording and evaluation programme, in collaboration with the Manager.

Job requirements:

• Experience of running Environmental Education activities including outdoor learning sessions.
• A knowledge and understanding of ecological principles and a passion for sharing this knowledge with others.
• Experience of working with diverse communities and stakeholder partners providing presentations, facilitating walks, talks and workshops.
• Experience of managing varying groups of people for instance children, students or volunteers, particularly in an outdoor or educational setting.
• Experience of developing and delivering education programmes, particularly for families with young children.
• A practical understanding of safeguarding children and at-risk adults along with associated welfare issues, Health & Safety legislation relevant to education and the environment, Data Protection Act and GDPR principles.
• Experience of recording, managing and evaluating feedback and data, possibly including project report writing would be useful.

Professional Requirements:

• Essential – Two referees, including one who can comment on experience of working with children.
• Essential – IT literacy.
• Essential – Enhanced DBS certificate.
• Desirable – Teaching qualification e.g. PGCE is desirable, but not essential.
• Desirable – Up to date first aid certificate, or the willingness to undertake a relevant first aid course.

Personal Qualities:

• An alignment and commitment to the Vision and Mission of Barnes Common Limited.
• A commitment to being a Lifelong Learner yourself, as well as a facilitator of learning for others.
• Ability to communicate with people enthusiastically and effectively at all levels including members of the public.
• Good organisational and forward planning skills with ability to prioritise and delegate workloads.
• A team worker but able to work autonomously with a ‘can do’ attitude to work.
• Problem solving and adaptive thinking – being able to think on your feet.

Terms of Contract:

Contract: This is a fixed term contract for one year.
Salary: £20,000 per annum
Hours: Three days a week (22.5 hours) – there is likely to be some flexibility here as to specific days but can be discussed.
Reporting to: BCL’s Education & Lifelong Learning Manager.
Probationary Period: There will be a probationary period of three months.
Notice Period: Four weeks for both employer and employee.
Pension: A basic ‘defined contribution’ pension complying with the government ‘opt out’ pension legislation. BCL operates a policy of postponement for the first three months.
Holiday: 17 days holiday per annum excluding Bank Holidays– BCL’s holiday period starts from 1st April each year so allocation will be pro-rated accordingly depending on start date.
Place of Work: The post will be based at the Vine Road Recreation Ground, Barnes, London Borough of Richmond, SW13 0NE.
BCL is an equal opportunities employer and committed to supporting personal development and training.

Deadline for applications is 5pm Monday 29th June with first interviews expected to commence at the beginning of July with second interviews following shortly afterwards in anticipation of a likely start date in late July / early August.