RSPCA Cornwall Branch Hiring for Education Officer Job at United Kingdom Full Time

RSPCA Cornwall Branch has recently launched an Animal Welfare Education programme, which has proved extremely popular. We are therefore looking to recruit an Education Officer to assist with delivery of these sessions to groups of children and young people.

Reporting to the Prevention and Education Manager, this post is 25 hours per week, working term-time only – £25,000 FTE, pro-rata adjusted for part-time and term-time working. .

Most sessions will be held at the Venton Centre (TR9 6JS) but there may also be a need to travel to other local venues, including schools and colleges, so own vehicle is essential. Usual working hours would be 9.30am to 2.30pm, Monday to Friday, but may vary according to client’s preferred session times. Some preparation work may also be permitted on a “work from home” basis. There may be additional hours and occasionally weekend and evening working, as required. Post-holder will also be required to cover absences for other members of the Education Team.

The successful applicant will also need to undergo and enhanced DBS check.

Please note: Employment in this post is with RSPCA Cornwall Branch, which is a separately registered independent charity working under the umbrella of the National RSPCA.

Overall Purpose

To plan, deliver and evaluate animal welfare education sessions and activities for children and young people.

The role involves both assisting the education team and providing cover during education staff absence, with flexibility to work weekdays, evenings and weekends as and when required.

Key Tasks/Job Description

• Plan, deliver and evaluate animal welfare education and personal development sessions for children and young people, which may also take place during weekends and evenings.
• Encourage and assist children and young people to make the most of opportunities to develop confidence, skills, understanding and empathy for animals and learn about the work of the RSPCA.
• Promote the work of the Branch to schools, youth and children’s organisations as well as the general public and the wider community through participation in on-site and community events as required.
• Contribute towards the development, monitoring and evaluation of educational resources and programmes to ensure high quality learning is maintained.
• Assist with the training and supervision of work experience and adult education volunteers.
• Maintain high standards of health and safety and child/vulnerable adult safeguarding through understanding and adherence to education and society policies and procedures.
• Undertake routine duties such as administration, record keeping, answering enquiries and assisting visitors as well as duties and responsibilities that may be reasonably required by the post holder’s line manager.
• Work closely with other Centre staff to ensure the safety and cleanliness of education facilities for staff and visitors.
• Attend and contribute to education and staff meetings as required. Report verbally and in writing on educational matters and contribute to local and national reports and publications as required.
• Developing, advertising and creating fundraising activities/children’s activities, including monthly wildlife clubs.
• Running workshops in schools alongside Volunteer Speaker activities.

While at work all staff are required to:

• Adhere to the Society’s charitable objectives which are to promote kindness and prevent cruelty to animals.
• Understand and comply with the Society Code of Conduct.
• Take care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts and omissions.
• Cooperate with Branch policies and procedures.

This job description is not exhaustive, and RSPCA Cornwall Branch reserve the right to amend this at any time as the job role expands and develops. In addition to your normal duties, you may occasionally be required to undertake such other reasonable duties as necessary to meet the needs of the Society.

Person Specification

Essential

• Teaching/youth work qualification or equivalent experience of working with children or young people in a relevant setting.
• History of continued professional development
• Experience of working with children or young people in an educational or youth work setting
• Experience working with Children in Care
• Experience of working with vulnerable young people who are deemed ‘at risk’ and/or who have behavioural problems
• Experience of delivering environmental or animal welfare activities for formal and non formal audiences of all ages in an outdoor setting
• Enthusiasm for natural history and animal welfare
• Experience of using word, powerpoint, excel and managing a database
• Excellent interpersonal skills, in particular ability to network and develop
• relationships with children and young people
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal
• Willingness to undertake appropriate training and education as part of a commitment to continued professional development.
• Commitment to working within an equal opportunities framework.
• Ability to work on own initiative and in a team
• Creative and enthusiastic
• Must be available to work flexible hours as required

Desirable

• Degree or vocational qualification in relevant subject
• First Aid
• Safeguarding and Attachment Training
• Experience of recruiting, training and supervising volunteers
• Familiarity with animal welfare issues
• Experience of working with Youth Offenders
• Experience of teaching and training in a classroom and non-classroom environment
• Experience of working with professionals in teaching, youth work, children’s services.

If you feel you have the correct skills set and experience, please apply via Indeed with your CV. Please do not visit the Venton Centre in connection with this vacancy as we are currently closed to the public.

Closing date for applications is Sunday 15 August 2022. As we are expecting a high volume of applications for this post, we may not be able to respond to all applicants. If you do not receive an invitation to interview within 10 days after the closing date, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Job Type: Part-time
Part-time hours: 25 per week

Salary: £25,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Sick pay

COVID-19 considerations:
Sanitiser available. RSPCA Cornwall Branch adhere to relevant government guidance which is reviewed and update as regulations change.

Expected start date: 05/09/2022