Colchester Zoo Hiring for Conservation Educator Job at Colchester, England Full Time

Colchester Zoo is East Anglia’s premier and award-winning visitor attraction with over 2 million guest

visits each year and it works well because we all work well together to make it happen.

We have over 180 species of animals and support conservation around the globe and our mission is to

provide guests with a first-class experience for all visitors and at the same time further understanding

and respect for animals. Through visitors’ funds, Colchester Zoo undertakes breeding programmes for

endangered species and funds in situ projects in the wild.

We are looking for a passionate, enthusiastic and well organised person to join our Conservation

Education team as a Conservation Educator. The role will see the successful candidate book school

visits and ensure teachers and school staff have all the information they need for a smooth trip. The

candidates will also research, design and deliver outcome driven education sessions to groups and

schools on a wide range of subjects from Lifecycles, Psychology and Art to the Role of Zoos, Maths and

Marketing. They will prepare and deliver the sessions in one of our teaching spaces and follow up the

visit with evaluation to help us improve our programme.

The role will also prepare, deliver and evaluate activities for zoo visitors around the Zoo across holiday

periods. These activities will be part of our conservation campaigns to engage our visitors with topical

issues surrounding wildlife in the UK and globally.

This is a permanent full-time role with a start date of mid March 2022. The successful candidate will work

5 days out of 7. Some weekend and occasional evening work will be required.

JOB TITLE: Conservation Educator

JOB SUMMARY: The candidate will work within the Conservation Education team and be

responsible for delivery of education sessions for Primary, Secondary, and Post

16 school groups. The candidate will also be involved with the delivery of informal

education around Colchester Zoo, including, educational stalls, sessions for

groups, development of displays, and running educational games and activities.

Knowledge of animal species and conservation is an advantage. This is a full-time

position, 5 days per week and will involve regular weekend work.

MAIN JOB

PURPOSE:

1. Deliver school educational activities for Primary-Post 16 school groups on

a range of subjects that are inclusive and outcome driven.

2. To assist schools in the planning and booking of their visits.

3. Deliver a range of other educational activities including outreach sessions

and education for other groups.

4. To assist with running the Zoo’s informal education programme.

5. To deliver training and develop resources for conservation education volunteers.

DESCRIPTION

OF MAIN

DUTIES:

Job Role – Deliver school educational activities for Primary-Post 16 school groups.

• Present school talks and workshops for school groups on a wide range of subjects

including (but not limited to): habitats, endangered species, art, classification,

maths, English debating skills, enrichment, sustainability, business, and marketing.

• Deliver educational sessions for a wide range of age groups from Primary-Post 16.
• Present school sessions in learning spaces.
• Creating and maintaining teaching and learning resources.

Job Role – To assist schools in the planning and booking of their visits.
• Carry out the administration role of the education department, booking in school

Job Role – Deliver a range of other educational activities.

• Deliver educational sessions for visiting groups (such as Home educators and

Job Role – To assist with running the Zoo’s informal education.

• Provide educational information to visitors in a variety of ways including;

education programme.

WORKING

HOURS:

This is a full-time position. An average of 40 hours a week (5 days) will include

regular weekend and occasional evening work.

UNIFORM: Full uniform will be provided. Full uniform must be worn at all times with a name

badge.

WORKING

ENVIRONMENT:

• Colchester Zoo is a non-smoking environment and smoking is not permitted

by members of staff whilst on the premises.

• Colchester Zoo is an equal opportunities employer.
• You may be required to work offsite on outreach programmes on occasion.

CONSERVATION EDUCATOR SPECIFICATION

Essential Desirable

EDUCATION /

QUALIFICATIONS /

TRAINING

GCSEs at C or above in English, Maths

and Science

Sound zoological knowledge or

knowledge of species in the zoo and

conservation

GCSE’s and A-levels in English, Maths,

Biology/Science.

A relevant degree in related subject.

Persons with experience teaching to a

variety of age levels (Primary-Tertiary)

and other audiences.

SKILLS / KNOWLEDGE Computer literate with good

knowledge of the major Microsoft

Office programmes.

Excellent communication and

presentation skills for all the age

ranges taught.

Good knowledge of animals,

conservation and animal care and

welfare

Good working knowledge of

school curricula and how they are

implemented in schools and other

education settings.

Practical skills in making and

maintaining teaching resources.

Experience in evaluating learning in a

variety of settings.

Experience of managing a social

media account for a team; advertising

events, sharing news and promoting

ideas.

EXPERIENCE Experience delivering education and

communicating to large and small

groups as well as individuals.

Experience working in a team and

contributing to team goals.

Gathering and analysing data.

Booking administration.

Planning and evaluating projects.

Designing programmes that are

inclusive and accessible i.e. developing

and evaluating sessions and resources

for students with SEND

GENERAL Ability to follow instruction based on

work allocation.

Dependable and ability to meet

deadlines given.

Be able to deliver sessions

enthusiastically.

Ability to use own initiative to solve

problems.

Warm, open minded and professional.

Full driving licence.

Teaching qualification is helpful but

not required.

HOW TO APPLY

If you are interested in applying, please complete the Colchester Zoo Employment application form,

complete the tasks as directed below and provide a covering letter stating how you meet the job

specification. Please email to andymoore@colchesterzoo.org

adults, families, visitors with disabilities – everyone!

Task must all be presented logically and clearly on a single word document.

BRIEF FOR TASK 2 Please write something interesting about an animal, habitat or wildlife

related issue that could be used on a piece of signage in the zoo or in our zoo

magazine. It should be easy to read and no more than 45 words.

Closing date is 4pm on Tuesday 25th January 2022 and the assessment & selection day will be held

on Monday 7th February 2022.

We are unable to reply to all applicants individually, so if you don’t hear from us within 5 working days

of the closing date, please assume that you have been unsuccessful and thank you for applying.

SECTION ONE – Position Details (type in information)

Position applied for:

Department:

Previous employment at Colchester Zoo:
(Include job title, department and dates.)

Are you eligible to work in the UK in

accordance with the Immigration and

Asylum Act 1999?
(You must be able to provide documentary

evidence that you are entitled to work in the UK

without the need for Colchester Zoo to apply for any

kind of work permit.)