Education Officer

We're Hiring: Education Officer (Part-Time, Fixed Term)

21 hours per week (Flexible) term-time only, £30,000 pro rata
Term: 1-year fixed term contract with likelihood of extension if funding allows
Hours: Approximately 21 per week (with flexibility)
Salary: £30,000 pro rata term time only (38 weeks per annum) Fixed term for 1 year
Start Date: Monday 17th of August
Location: The Ecology Centre, Kinghorn Loch, Fife
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK
PVG registration is required for this role

Our education work is growing and as such we are looking for an additional part-time Education Officer to join our small and supportive team at The Ecology Centre.

We’re looking for someone enthusiastic, compassionate, and confident in working outdoors with a wide range of people - particularly young people and adults with additional support needs. The role is based at our beautiful, purpose-built Centre on the banks of Kinghorn Loch.

As Education Officer, you’ll plan and deliver engaging, hands-on environmental education sessions that make a real difference to the lives of individuals and the wider community. You’ll be working alongside people from a range of backgrounds, engaging and connecting them with nature in meaningful and life enhancing ways.

We understand that everyone brings different skills, experiences, and perspectives. Whether you’ve worked in education, community work, youth services, outdoor learning, or have other relevant experience, we want to hear from you. Although we appreciate how useful AI can be we want to find out about the real you so would discourage extensive use of AI in your application. We will not be using AI in application screening.

We are open to discussing working patterns and offer the possibility of hours during some school holidays.

About The Ecology Centre

The Ecology Centre is an established, award-winning charity and social enterprise founded in 1998. In 2015, we moved into our eco-friendly Centre on the shores of Kinghorn Loch.

Our team is small, friendly, and works closely together. We value collaboration, respect, and the contributions of every individual. The variety of work we do and the people we work with makes the Ecology centre a rewarding and engaging place of work.

The Ecology Centre’s Education programme is well established and respected. It includes delivery of outdoor and environmental education at The Ecology Centre site and throughout Fife; Forest School sessions; Forest and Outdoor Leadership Awards (FOLA); supported volunteering; nature nurture sessions; outdoor play projects and CPD sessions. We deliver to a wide range of school and community groups from pre-school age to teenagers and adults.

Normal working days will be between Mondays and Fridays, with some occasional evening and weekend work required under The Ecology Centre’s Time Off In Lieu (TOIL) system.

This role is currently term-time only with the possibility of overtime through the school holidays.

Interviews will be held in person on Friday 19th June at The Ecology Centre. After interview 2 or 3 candidates will be invited back to deliver a 1-hour practical session with a group of young people (age 5-12) on Monday the 29th of June in the afternoon. If this is likely to be difficult please let us know when applying and we will try to accommodate you. We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process. Please contact the Education Manager, Liz on [email protected]. We also offer reasonable adjustments on the job.

The education team is very supportive and flexible. We try our very best to accommodate and adapt wherever possible. However please note, this is a physical job and requires walking to site, carrying equipment and working outside in all weathers. We also work in a busy open plan office which can be noisy. While there are core delivery needs for our customers we aim to be as flexible as possible around these. For example, you may need to deliver a group 9-3 one day and 9-12 another day but other hours could be worked flexibly.

Recruitment Timeline:

• Application Closing Date: Sunday 14th June
• Email inviting you to interview or saying you were unsuccessful: By Wednesday 17th June
• Interviews: Friday 19th June
• Invitation to practical session: no later than Monday 22nd of June
• Practical Session delivery: Monday 29th June
• Final Outcome Communicated: No later than Thursday 2nd July

Pension: 3% employer pension contribution for earnings over the pension threshold

Holiday: This role is term time only (38 weeks). No holidays during term time. Instead, you will receive holiday pay for 38 weeks work at 12.07% with pro rata salary - paid evenly over 12 months. This works out at 12 equal monthly payments (before deductions) of £1228.46

Job Purpose

• To develop, plan and organise outdoor learning & play experiences.
• To deliver inspirational, inclusive education sessions.
• To carry out relevant administration tasks.
• To monitor and evaluate the work carried out.

Major Tasks

• Development, planning and organisation 20%
• Environmental Education preparation and provision 70%
• Administration 5%
• Monitoring and recording 5%

Job Activities

Development and planning

Working alongside the Education Manager to develop inspirational, progressive and engaging outdoor learning experiences. Working in partnership with schools and community groups.

Environmental education preparation and provision

Providing environmental education to groups and individuals at The Ecology Centre and in various locations around Fife. Working inclusively with children from nursery to secondary age including those with additional support needs. Working with adults with support needs. Being prepared to deliver person-centred sessions and meeting the needs of the group. Delivering and assessing FOLA level 2-5 and preparing for internal verification. Responsible for health & safety of participants and carrying out risk assessments. Liaising with customers and the general public.

Administration

Updating records. Corresponding with interested organisations and schools when necessary. Attending internal and external meetings.

Monitoring and recording

Collecting and evaluating feedback from participants, gathering and collating evidence for FOLA qualifications, contributing to funding applications and reports where necessary.

Supervision Received

Supervised by the Education Manager.

Special Conditions

Working in adverse weather conditions. Working occasional weekends and evenings. Working with children, young people and adults with support needs.