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Conservation Education Officer – Fixed term contract until September 2023 with potential to become permanent. Immediate start available.

Do you love all things conservation and zoology and like the sound of igniting the passion for conservation in all our visitors and students? Maybe you have experience developing and delivering innovative workshops and activities or you are an experienced teacher looking for a new challenge outside of term time. If this sounds like you, read on…

Our Organisation

Twycross Zoo is an award-winning conservation and science-led zoo in the heart of England. This year we are celebrating our 60th birthday! We are rapidly growing and welcoming over 600,000 people every year to our 100-acre rural site near Atherstone.

We are home to 400 animals, including one of the largest chimpanzee families in the UK, and our primate collection is up there with the best in the world! We’re the only zoo in the UK to house all four great apes and we care for many other endangered species to the highest welfare standards, including Eastern black rhino, Sumatran tigers, Amur leopards and snow leopards.

Twycross Zoo is at the forefront of conservation, education and research. We have a strong commitment to our award-winning education programme, aiming to increase the level of awareness, knowledge and understanding of visitors about our animals. We aim to inspire visitors to support biodiversity conservation in any way they can.

This is an exciting time to join Twycross Zoo following £19m grant funding to develop the National Science and Conservation Centre (NSCC) on the Twycross Zoo site. The NSCC will support vital work around species conservation. It will bring together experts in conservation science and train the next generation of conservationists, whilst offering researchers from around the world the opportunity to study the four great apes and other endangered species, in naturalistic complex environments. The facilities will include a lecture theatre, classrooms, and laboratories, all planned to open in 2025.

The Role – Conservation Education Officer

Reporting to the Conservation Education Team Leader, as a Conservation Education Officer you will support the delivery of effective conservation education, through formal and informal activities across the zoo with visitors and students. Your duties will include, although will not be limited to:

• Developing and delivering innovative, curriculum linked workshops and education activities across the zoo
• Utilising innovative technology, bio-artefacts and other materials with formal and informal educational activities
• Ensuring our school programmes are accurate and complement the delivery of our mission as a conservation charity, as well as fulfilling the changing needs of schools
• Supporting the ongoing maintenance and monitoring of assets assigned to the schools programmes
• Taking part in research projects to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of our conservation education delivery
• Leading and motivating the team of Education Rangers, assisting with target setting and inductions
• Supporting the work of volunteers and work placement students, providing guidance and training as needed
• Working closely with the Conservation Education Team Leader to assist in the research and development of interpretation across the zoo, alongside the Marketing department

Our Requirements – Conservation Education Officer

• A degree in either Education, Science Communication or a Zoology related topic such as Conservation or Animal Biology
• Possess either a teaching qualification and / or have teaching experience across a wide variety of age and abilities
• Up to date knowledge of the national curriculum, safeguarding legislation and policies
• Ability to access and drive a form of motor vehicle (car, motorbike, etc.)
• Excellent presentation, time management and organisational skills

• An interest in the zoo’s work and purpose, and an understanding of the role we play in conservation
• IT literate, with good working knowledge of Microsoft Word and PowerPoint

• Ability to obtain a satisfactory DBS check

Although not essential, experience of developing and delivering innovative workshops and activities for schools and / or a public audience would be desirable.

The Package

You will benefit from:

• Salary of £23,456 pro rata
• 31 days annual leave pro rata
• Uniform
• Staff membership card giving you free entry to the zoo on your days off
• Complimentary Twycross Zoo ticket allowance for friends and family
• Free access to other BIAZA zoos and aquariums
• 25% discount in the Twycross Zoo gift shop
• 20% discount in Twycross Zoo food and beverage outlets
• Free onsite parking
• Star of the month award scheme
• Access to work counselling services

Successful applicants will be employed until the end of September 2023 with the potential for this to be extended or become permanent. You’ll be working predominantly Monday to Friday 9am to 5:30pm, although flexibility will be required to cover education events.

Shortlisting and interviews for this role will take place while the advert is live; the vacancy will be closed as soon as the successful candidate is appointed. Applicants are therefore encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible.