This is a great opportunity to work as part of the Lough Erne Landscape Partnership within the unique landscape of the Lough Erne region, share the rich natural heritage and biodiversity of the area through an innovative education programme.

The Lough Erne Landscape Partnership (LELP) aims to protect, promote and enhance the built natural and cultural heritage of the Lough Erne region. Funded through the National Lottery Heritage Fund in 2018, the partnership is delivering an exciting programme of work to conserve, enhance and celebrate this unique landscape and the heritage of Upper and Lower Lough Erne. The Partnership has created a coordinated approach to the protection and enhancement of Lough Erne’s unique heritage and have developed a strong foundation from which to develop future opportunities.

The stunning Fermanagh Lakeland landscape consists of numerous islands, long shorelines, rivers, wet meadows, grasslands and woodlands.  It is home to an array of internationally important species and habitats, and contains a wealth of natural, built, archaeological, cultural and industrial heritage spanning 9,000 years. As Environmental Education Officer you will connect and engage people with their unique natural landscape by developing skills, improving confidence and providing opportunities to learn, change perceptions and influence its management. 

This role is a part time (4 days per week) post for a period of 9 months. You will be responsible for the delivery of innovative key natural heritage education projects, including the LELP Young Amateur Naturalists Programme (Key Stage 3), and you will be working with external LELP partners to oversee and deliver projects (e.g. Young Amateur Naturalists, Lough Erne Amazing Pollinators, Aliens on the Lough (invasive species) and the Lough Erne Schools Convention. You will also have the opportunity to work with the LELP Programme Manager to undertake fundraising activities to help deliver our programmes in future.

Key activities will include:

• Responsible for the development and delivery of an annual citizen science programme established to lead and deliver innovative agreed citizen science activities through post-primary schools in the LELP area.
• Develop, deliver, and monitor a schools engagement workplan, to connect more young people to nature and inspire teachers to engage with outdoor learning.
• Deliver training to build the capabilities of staff, visitors and volunteers, ensuring high quality delivery of education programmes and projects.
• Provide reports and analysis of schools engagement work in the region, through use of internal databases, to support evaluation, development, and funding applications.
• Publicise and promote our schools engagement work to external audiences, ensuring we grow our schools audience and connect more children to nature, and deliver a coherent supporter journey for schools in the region.
• Develop and maintain partnerships to support project partners and schools engagement across the region in order to maximise connections to nature.
• Manage project budgets in line with agreed outputs.
• Creation of an education forum within LELP that will meet the needs of each partner whilst championing the needs of the LELP area.
• Creation and review of an activity-based learning repository of learning activities resources.
• Work with the LELP to identify and apply for necessary funding to support ongoing and future environmental educational activities. 
• In co-ordination with LELP, develop and implement project business cases to attain agreed outcomes.

Criteria for this role include:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent in a relevant subject
• Knowledge of the education landscape and Curriculum in Northern Ireland both formal and informal
• Knowledge of environmental and natural science and the principles of outdoor learning and nature-based activities
• Experience of developing fundraising applications
• Experience in facilitating training for a varied audience
• Project management, planning & prioritising skills with the ability to negotiate and work with a large number of key stakeholders
• Ability to use analysis and evaluation to inform development.
• Computer literate e.g. MS Office packages.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with experience of working with grassroots community organisations.
• Experience of developing & delivering programmes to schools and/or groups including outdoor learning
• Knowledge of the principles of volunteer management.

This role will require an Access NI check it is essential that you have:

• Transport to enable you to travel for project delivery - expenses will be reimbursed
• Undertaken certified safeguarding training