The Learning & Visitor Assistant role 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.    

This advert is for 2 Learning and Visitor Assistants.

The roles 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 outside 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.

Essentials:

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.

Desirables:

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

Additional Info

The two positions are offered on an 8-month fixed term contract, each role is 15 hours (2 days) per week. We would negotiate working days with successful candidates to ensure there is sufficient cover across the week.

We intend to hold interviews on Tuesday 21 Feb 2023. 

If you have any questions about the role please contact katharine.smith@rspb.org.uk 

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

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

Please complete the application form and submit a CV in order to be considered for the role.