Knowledge, Skills/Qualifications & Experience

About the role:

The role of the Outdoor Learning Coordinator is to deliver the Trust’s learning programmes focused on sustainability and the environment, this includes delivering social action and age-appropriate volunteering opportunities, which aim to break down social barriers, and promote civic mindedness and inspire pro-environmental behaviours in children and young people. 

Working with a range of partners organisations, including the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom, the Outdoor Learning Coordinator will recruit, manage and develop a team of education volunteers, work with schools and mentor teachers to incorporate social action into their curriculum, and encourage children and young people to participate in inspiring outdoor learning to improve their health and wellbeing.

 Key Accountabilities:

• Develop and implement rewarding volunteering opportunities to deliver our outdoor learning programme, ensuring volunteers are safely recruited, trained and supported to ensure an inspirational experience for children, young people and families. Plan programmes for volunteer training, mentoring and celebration to ensure increasing skill levels, confidence and motivation within the team.
• Develop, promote and lead practical conservation tasks, quality learning activities and social action opportunities aimed at children, young people, their teachers, families, carers and group leaders, ensuring the latest best practice is recognised and adopted.
• Working with partner organisations promote the benefits of outdoor learning to teachers and schools, providing mentorship to teachers in key target areas and embedding learning in nature into school practice.
• Develop a series of outdoor learning activities to promote wellbeing through nature connectedness in the children, young people and families participating in our outdoor learning.
• Develop and promote a series of work experience, careers/meet the experts days aimed at schools (primary and secondary) designed to develop transferable life and work skills, improve perceptions/relevancy of environmental roles and increase understanding of how to progress into an environmental career.
• Input into training programmes for schools and for Trust staff, partners and volunteers to increase their confidence and skills in delivering nature connection based learning and engagement activities.
• Contribute to the Canal & Rivers Explorers website and social media channels as an accessible medium to deliver learning and communicate with our target audience.
• Contribute to the evaluation and Outcome Measure Framework by collecting and collating data relating to child and community engagement KPIs, including specific evaluation of nature connectedness and outdoor learning, and dissemination of results.

About you:

You will be experienced in organising and leading safe outdoor learning experiences with children & young people, including conducting thorough risk assessments.  You will thrive in the outdoor learning environment and bring that passion and enthusiasm to the activities you lead.  

 Knowledge, Experience & Skills:

• Degree or equivalent experience in relevant discipline.
• A postgraduate qualification in outdoor learning, education, interpretation, volunteer management or countryside/heritage management is desirable.
• Experience in developing and managing outdoor learning projects for heritage attractions, countryside sites, museums or galleries.
• Direct experience of volunteer management, including training and mentoring.
• Direct experience of leading practical conservation tasks within sensitive environments.
• Experience of teaching or working with teachers to embedd curriculum practice.
• Ability to communicate effectively with children, their teachers, families, carers and group leaders.
• Thorough understanding of the principles and methodology involved in delivering volunteer and outdoor learning programmes, including volunteer and education policies and practice.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with teachers, colleagues and partners at all levels within the Trust, external consultancies and contractors.
• Good understanding of Health and Safety and Safeguarding issues in a public setting.
• IT proficiency including Microsoft Office.
• Previous budgetary responsibility preferred.
• Excellent written and oral presentation skills.
• Effective time and resource management
• Valid UK Driving License.