Ribble Rivers Trust

Outdoor Learning Officer

Purpose: To deliver outdoor learning activities related to river and coastal environments – linking freshwater, estuaries and coasts, to increase knowledge understanding and value of the water environment to aid in conservation.

Reports to: Head of People & Learning

Location: The post holder will observe a hybrid work pattern, working from home and RRT’s offices in Clitheroe, with travel around the catchment (particularly within Blackpool and the Fylde Coast)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week (part-time/term-time considered)

Salary: £26,000 to £29,000 depending on experience (pro rata if applicable)

Contract: Three years

Job Description

Ribble Rivers Trust (RRT) is an environmental conservation charity delivering catchment-wide activities that will improve, protect and create a mosaic of habitats and land uses that will lead to a healthy riverine environment. Our work includes everything from peat restoration to hedgerow and woodland creation, to river “re-wiggling” and, importantly, sustainable agricultural practices – each with demonstrable improvements to habitats and species.

We have five teams with particular focuses (Data and Evidence, Land Management, People and Learning, River Conservation and Core Services), each full of passionate and dedicated individuals, with diverse skills and experience. The teams work closely together on collaborative and integrated projects that deliver multiple benefits.

We are looking to recruit an Outdoor Learning Officer who will be a confident and clear communicator with experience in directly delivering environmental education and engagement activities both in and out of education settings and with community groups. Leading on our work with schools in priority locations in Blackpool and the Fylde Coast, the Outdoor Learning Officer will deliver outdoor learning to meet the aims and objectives of our Coastal Explorers education programme, using feedback and evaluation techniques to ensure we continue to improve and develop what we offer.

You will bring experience of delivering learning outside the classroom activities to a range of audiences, and a knowledge of how to support individuals with special educational needs and disabilities or other needs which are a barrier to them accessing education and meeting their full potential. You will have a good knowledge of and a passion for the natural environment.

You will also be responsible for safeguarding the children and young people we work with, and should be competent in undertaking risk assessments.

As well as demonstrating a sound knowledge of learning outside the classroom best practice and current issues, you will need to consider issues of widening public access and encouraging people and wildlife.

The role will involve significant autonomous working, as well as playing a key role as part of a small team and working with colleagues from other teams in order to meet your objectives.

Successful candidates will have experience of delivering similar projects and activities ensuring both the projects, activities and outcomes are communicated effectively to a wide audience.

Person Specification

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate that they are exceptionally self-motivated and are passionate about improving the environment through environmental education. They will be a good communicator, able to demonstrate the successful delivery of projects, ideally with a background in the environmental sector. A good knowledge of the Ribble Catchment and the functioning of river catchments and coastal ecosystems would be desirable.

Essential

• Qualification or comparable experience in teaching or delivering education projects
• Experience of producing educational materials
• Experience in delivering community education and engagement projects
• Ability to work on the differing tasks identified in the Job Description at the same time
• Excellent presentation skills and communication skills for a wide range of audiences, particularly school children and teachers
• Ability to work flexibly, including regular evening and weekend days
• Valid driving licence and own car, insured for business use
• Possessing good interpersonal skills, both face-to-face and over the phone
• Reliability, good attendance and work performance
• Ability to set performance objectives and ensure these are achieved
• Excellent organisational / admin skills and attention to detail:
  • Good IT skills / maintaining a filing system
  • Keeping records of work undertaken and outcomes
  • Keeping records of expenses incurred
• Awareness of the need for confidentiality, safeguarding and child protection

   
Desirable

• Knowledge and experience of environmental issues preferably river conservation
• Knowledge of the Ribble Catchment
• Based near or in the project area.

   
Some of the benefits of working for RRT:

• The post holder will be based in a hybrid working environment, based a minimum of 3 days a week at RRT offices in Clitheroe (Tuesday to Thursday), with an option to then work 2 days a week from home (Monday and Friday)
• The Trust operate core hours of 10:00 – 16:00, and remaining contracted hours can be undertaken flexibly, as well as a TOIL policy where extended working is required
• Following the probationary period, we offer entry into our Stakeholder Pension Scheme
• 25 Days annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising by 1 day for each year of service to a maximum of 30 days
• Opportunities for growth and learning, through internal and external training, as well as opportunities to try different roles and responsibilities supporting professional development
• 45p per mile for work travel from place of work to site, claimed through expenses
• Regular team away days, and social activities
• Potential for Relocation expenses for the right candidate

   
The successful candidate will be required to undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Applicants must use the RRT application form, CVs will not be accepted.

The deadline for applications is 9am on Tuesday 20th June 2023.

Interviews will take place on 28th and 29th June.

Apply here

Closing Date: 20/06/2023  Location: Clitheroe, Lancashire