Job Description - Schools Communicator
Responsible to: The post holder is responsible to the Chief Executive of the Scottish Seabird Centre. A steering group that includes representatives from Our Dynamic Earth and the Scottish Seabird Centre has been created to oversee the project. Location: The Schools Communicator will divide their time between Our Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh and the Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick. The post involves a high number of outreach visits to schools throughout Scotland and as such requires a willingness to travel and to spend periods of time away from home. Job Description: Our Dynamic Earth and the Scottish Seabird Centre have joined forces to create an innovative education project which involves the development and delivery of an environmental science outreach programme to schools. The project, supported by the Scottish Executive, delivers curricular activities which link to the educational themes of Our Dynamic Earth and the Scottish Seabird Centre. Examples include living landscapes, the marine environment, climate change, forces of nature, renewable energy and animal life cycles. (Visit www.dynamicearth.co.uk and www.seabird.org) The project broadly aims to: Increase the number of schools (school children participating) in Our Dynamic Earth and the Scottish Seabird Centre education programmes, specifically through outreach activity
Expand the geographical coverage of the Centre's education programmes Reach rural and economically disadvantaged areas Increase the total number of school visits to both Centres Increase the capacity of the Centres to support the upper primary and secondary school curricula
Prepared by Catriona Cardie, Christine Angus & Tom Brock
Provide teachers/schools with a range of pre and post visit teaching resources to support the outreach programme Provide teachers with the opportunity for Continuous Professional Development Increase the capacity of teachers to engage with the Centre's education programmes (outreach and in reach familiarisation sessions) Encourage long term active engagement with individual schools (high level of repeat outreach and in reach visits) Encourage children to visit both Centres with their families
Measurable delivery objectives have been set for this project and the post holder will be working to achieve those objectives.
Prepared by Catriona Cardie, Christine Angus & Tom Brock
Responsibilities & duties: This is a ground breaking project which requires a dynamic, proactive and creative approach to produce and deliver relevant, popular and accessible environmental education activities. The Schools Communicator will: 1. Work as a member of the education teams at Our Dynamic Earth and the Scottish Seabird Centre to deliver and develop outreach activities (e.g. interactive workshops) and resource materials (e.g. education packs) to support the primary school and secondary school curricula.
2.
Manage the logistics, resources and delivery of outreach activities in schools. This post holder will be the primary deliverer of the actual activity but will have access to some support from the Education Officer (Projects) at Dynamic Earth.
Ensure the programme's activities are clearly targeted and consistent with current curriculum guidelines.
3.
4.
Work with Our Dynamic Earth and Scottish Seabird Centre marketing staff to promote the outreach programme.
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Attend external events (e.g. learning and environmental festivals) to promote the outreach programme to schools.
6. 7.
Run familiarisation sessions for teachers to support outreach activities. Manage the outreach programme budget as agreed by the Steering Group.
8.
Take an active role in monitoring and evaluating the programme which requires to be presented both verbally and by written report on a quarterly basis.
9.
Carry out any other relevant duty that is within the competence of the post holder.
Experience required: You must have proven experience in the delivery of formal and / or informal educational activities for large groups of children. You will be educated to degree level with your first degree in an earth science or environmental science discipline. Skills & knowledge required: Excellent organisational and communication skills. You should be a real self-starter who is passionate about your subject
Prepared by Catriona Cardie, Christine Angus & Tom Brock
area but who is able to communicate this in a balanced and objective manner. Importantly you will have the ability to work on your own initiative and as part of a remote team. A clean current driving license is essential. Other: The appointment is subject to satisfactory references and checks with Disclosure Scotland. Duration: The post is initially for 18 months with the possibility of extension, subject to availability of funding and the success of the project. Performance: To be measured against clearly defined measurable and challenging goals. Hours: 371/2 hours per week, Monday to Friday. The post holder will require an element of work out of office hours (including weekends) for which time off in lieu will be given in agreement with the Chief Executive of the Scottish Seabird Centre. The post will require overnight stays and early starts. Line Manager: Chief Executive, Scottish Seabird Centre Holidays: 25 day per year plus public holidays with holidays expected to incurred in line with the academic year. Benefits: Discount in shops, cafés and free entry to the Centres, Our Dynamic Earth and the Scottish Seabird Centre are Equal Opportunities Employers
Prepared by Catriona Cardie, Christine Angus & Tom Brock