TNR Learning and Outreach Officer

12 months at 0.6 FTE; £26,500 pro rata
REPORTS TO: TNR Trustee (Education)

SUMMARY

This post will continue some of the activities originally initiated through TNR’s successful
Green Lung project. The work will promote nature connectedness through activities for different
groups, working with local communities and TNR’s volunteers.

The post holder will work with the TNR Board of Trustees, TNR Management Team (including the
Reserve Manager and Volunteer Coordinator) to co-ordinate and deliver a programme of learning
and outreach. This will be focused on outdoor activities that link learning, nature
connectedness and health on, and through, Tewkesbury Nature Reserve.

The post holder will co-ordinate and deliver school visits and our ‘Nature Guardians’ holiday
and after-school children’s group and adult wildlife walks. They will organise art-based
nature-connected workshops and citizen science habitat monitoring, working with others. The
post holder will be part of TNR’s funding group that works to secure further funds for learning
and outreach.

About TNR:

Within Tewkesbury, Tewkesbury Nature Reserve (TNR), an independent environmental
charity, combines concern for nature and community interests, with potential to be a living
laboratory (44 ha) for outdoor learning. Urban floodplain nature reserves bring particular
challenges with competing interests (nature, farming, recreation, infrastructure, floods), and
diverse communities with different drivers, knowledge, skills and values. Acting as unique
‘green lungs’, they have potential to intertwine recovery for nature and humans. This project
aims to step-change development and delivery of TNR’s Learning and Outreach Strategy.

TNR’s objectives are set out in its Strategic Plan 2017-2022. This post focuses on leading
Objective 4: Education – Develop the reserve as a learning environment, offering a range of
outdoor learning opportunities tailored to different ages, interests and needs.

TNR has moved from a major focus on implementing infrastructural changes for wildlife
enhancement to engaging communities in using the reserve as a resource for varied learning
activities linked to environmental awareness and knowledge, health and wellbeing and wider
resilience building.

Job purpose:

The job supports the continuance of learning and outreach activities with diverse
communities proximal to Tewkesbury Nature Reserve and in Tewkesbury– including those in primary
and secondary education, along with co-curricular activities for young people (like Nature Guardians, Boys/ Girls Brigade etc.) and
adults.

The role will suit an enthusiastic and inspiring leader of outdoor learning, who is a good
communicator with a passion for working with different communities and making a real difference
to and through the environment. Ability to engage and communicate effectively with diverse
communities is essential.

Initially offered as a 12-month fixed term 0.6 FTE contract, it is hoped that the position will
be able to be extended in some form if further funding is secured.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Work with local primary and secondary schools and colleges

1.1 Monitor and evaluate participation of schools and colleges and young people.
1.2 Support school staff in running school activities on TNR.
1.3 Continue Nature Guardians activities on TNR.
1.4 Lead on, and facilitate, the involvement of local schools on TNR, working with relevant
staff.

2. Work to engage the public in outdoor learning for green recovery through TNR

2.1 Monitor and evaluate participation of the public in outdoor learning.
2.2 Promote public engagement and learning activities using different channels including social
media.
2.3 Liaise with local artists to organise and run arts-based workshops on the reserve.
2.4 Set-up and promote public engagement and learning activities on TNR. This will include
delivery of activities for young people/schools and wildlife walks. Other activities will
depend on the appointee’s specialisms.

3. Engage and inspire local communities to get involved in TNR’s citizen science activities

3.1 Monitor and evaluate participation.
3.2 Work with the volunteer co-ordinator in supporting citizen scientists in environmental
monitoring activities.

4. Project management and sustainability

4.1 Work with Reserve Manager as appropriate.
4.2 Work with the Volunteer Coordinator as appropriate.
4.3 Work with TNR’s funding group on bid opportunities to continue outdoor learning activities.
4.4 Manage budget for the learning and outreach programme.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Please keep this person specification in mind when completing your application. Knowledge,
experience, skills and aptitudes will be assessed through both the application process and at
interview.

Essential requirements

Training and Experience

• Relevant undergraduate qualification, e.g. teaching, outdoor education, geography,
  environmental management, ecology or another related discipline
• A good level of experience of working in and with schools, including a teaching qualification
  or a proven track record/ equivalent work experience
• Experience working in community outreach and engagement, particularly with disadvantaged or
  underrepresented groups
• Experience of communicating water and environmental management issues to school children and
  community groups of diverse interests and abilities
• Demonstrable experience of personal time management

Knowledge and Understanding

• A strong interest in environmental issues, and ability to demonstrate applied knowledge of some
  of the following: water, rivers and catchment management, ecology, environmental conservation.
• Knowledge and understanding of how environment fits into the National Curriculum
• Knowledge of how to communicate effectively with different audiences using different media
• Knowledge of MS Office, email, Twitter and Facebook or another web CMS programme
• Understanding of good record keeping

Skills, Abilities and Personal Attributes

• Excellent organisational skills
• Proven ability to work in a team with diverse partners
• Excellent communication skills for both internal and external audiences; excellent
  interpersonal skills
• Ability to hold the attention of a range of audiences
• Willingness to learn and turn hand to whatever is required

Miscellaneous

• Commitment to equality of opportunity
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends
• Full driving licence

Desirable Requirements

Training and experience

• Forest Schools training or equivalent
• Experience of leading community volunteer groups to deliver citizen science activities
• Relevant first aid training
• Experience of successfully raising funds for environmental learning projects
• Experience of editing a Wordpress, or similar, website

First aid training will be supplied if the successful applicant does not have a current
certificate. You will need to be prepared to have a full DBS check for working with young
people.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Salary: £26,500 per annum pro rata

Contract period: The position is part-time 0.6 FTE on a fixed-term contract for 12 months, with
possibility of extension subject to performance and funding. The appointment will be subject to
a three-month probationary period during which no holiday can be taken unless in exceptional
circumstances and by prior arrangement.

Termination of employment: The period of notice to terminate the appointment will be four weeks
by either party (one week during the probationary period).

Driving licence and vehicle: A full driving licence and your own transport are required.

Hours of work: The basic working week is 22.5 hours. Due to the nature of the work, you will be
required to be flexible and work evenings and weekends, for which “time off in lieu” can be
taken. You will not be eligible for payment of overtime for any additional hours worked but
Tewkesbury Nature Reserve operates a system of “time off in lieu”.

Annual Leave: Annual leave entitlement is 15 days plus public holidays.

Start date: As soon as possible to allow learning and outreach activities to be delivered over
the school summer holidays.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please email a CV (two pages max.) and a covering letter (two pages max.) focussing on why we
should employ you, including your relevant experience, how you meet the person specification
and what you will bring to the post to [email protected].

Closing
date: 7th June 2023 (midnight).

Interview date is likely to be 23rd June 2023. (Please be
available for interview on this date).