Outdoor Learning Leader (Leading in Pre School)

Company Description

Established as an independent charity in 1992, The Parks Trust expertly cares for over 6,000 acres of beautiful and inspirational green space in Milton Keynes including parks, ancient woodlands, lakes, river valleys and 80 miles of landscaped areas along the city’s grid roads.

Over 100 staff and 240 volunteers deliver the essential work of The Parks Trust. In addition to landscaping and maintenance tasks, that also includes providing valuable recreation and leisure facilities, connecting communities at over 500 outdoor events each year, and advancing public education around the wildlife, biodiversity, and the environment.

As Milton Keynes grows, so does The Parks Trust. Each year, the charity takes on new green spaces to ensure that the new areas of the city benefit from the same quality of inspiring, connected landscape and Milton Keynes remains a great place to live, work and play.

Position

Are you passionate about the natural world and love inspiring others through education?

Due to an internal move, The Parks Trust is seeking an enthusiastic Outdoor Learning Leader to join our team. In this exciting role, you’ll deliver environmental education in our parks to a wide range of age groups, with a special focus on early years and our Junior Park Rangers programme.

Themes you will teach include 'Marvellous Minibeasts and Habitats', 'River Explorers', 'Art in the Park', and 'Environmental Heroes'. For the full list of sessions, please see our website. While the role involves office-based work, the majority of your time will be spent outdoors running sessions.

If you’re driven to connect people with nature, spark curiosity in young minds, and encourage care for the environment, we’d love to hear from you.

This is a fixed-term role for 2 years.

Key Objective

• To increase awareness of the parks, raise the Trust’s profile and enhance its reputation 
• To deliver the Outdoor Learning programme in accordance with the Outdoor Learning Strategy
• To successfully promote greater understanding and awareness of the natural environment and greater respect and appreciation of the Trust’s green estate across Milton Keynes

Requirements

Essential

• Excellent communication and teamwork skills
• Ability to explain ideas and enthuse others, particularly young people
• An interest in working with early years children
• A keen interest in and very good knowledge of the natural environment
• Confident and positive approach to working with people of all ages and abilities, from different backgrounds
• Flexible and adaptable
• A passion for working outdoors and learning new skills
• A full driving licence and access to a car
• Be prepared to apply for a full DBS

Desirable

• Experience of working with children and the general public
• Experience in delivering training/teaching
• Excellent knowledge/qualifications in a relevant subject
• A good understanding of health and safety and risk assessments
• IT literate

Other information

In return, we offer a comprehensive benefits package:

• Competitive salary.
• Ongoing support and training.
• Excellent contributory pension scheme (up to 10% employer contribution).
• Income protection and life assurance cover after qualifying period.
• Enhanced family friendly policies after qualifying period.
• Home Working policy.
• Discounted gym membership.
• Generous annual leave allowance.
• Wellbeing day off per year.
• Medical Cash Plan.
• Access to employee wellbeing helpline.
• Discount for Willen Lake activities and café.
• Free eye tests.
• Great office in a parkland setting with free parking.

Deadline for applications – 5th November
First interviews - 12th November
Second round interviews - Monday 17th November or Friday 21st November.

The Parks Trust is committed to safeguarding and will always recruit all personnel in line with government guidelines, relevant legislation, Charity Commission guidance and best practice standards.

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.