Education and Outreach Officer

**Education and Outreach Officer**

**Job Specification**

**1.** **Introduction**

The River Dee Trust (the ‘Trust’) is a charitable company limited by guarantee and provides scientific research and advice for fisheries management and to guide conservation, and education to the wider community throughout Aberdeen City and Shire.

The River Dee rises in the Cairngorm Mountains and flows 80 miles to the city of Aberdeen. The Dee is one of the four principal salmon rivers in Scotland and is internationally famous for the fishing that this species supports. The Atlantic salmon is one of the species for which the River Dee has been designated as a Special Area of Conservation.

The Trust works closely with the Dee District Salmon Fishery Board. The ‘Fishery Board’ is the statutory body tasked with protecting and enhancing stocks of salmon and sea trout across the district. The Trust and Fishery Board have been recognised as being at the forefront of fisheries management in Scotland with an established track record in innovative conservation and restoration programmes.

**2. Reporting**

The Education & Outreach Officer will report to the Fisheries Protection Manager, who in turn reports to the River Director.

**3. Overall Responsibility**

The Education & Outreach Officer (the ‘Officer’) will increase awareness, enthusiasm for and understanding of our rivers in Deeside and the wider area of Aberdeen City and Shire.

Working with schools and community groups, young people will be supported to undertake outdoor learning in a safe and fun manner and experience the river on their doorstep. The Officer will work predominately with primary schools but will also aim to engage with secondary schools and further education establishments.

The Officer will also engage adult community and corporate groups and members of the public to help raise awareness of the River Dee and the critical conservation and restoration efforts being delivered.

The role will involve managing relationships with funder organisations, attending events to promote the River Dee, and coordinating and supporting a developing volunteer programme to involve members of the public and corporate groups in delivering environmental work.

**4.** **Key Duties**
- Develop and promote educational materials.
- Deliver an education programme for primary school groups that focuses on the river and fits with the curriculum for excellence. Develop engagements with secondary schools and further education establishments.
- Manage relationships with organisations and corporate bodies that fund the Trust’s education programme.
- Communicate the work of the Trust through social media, websites and press.
- Promote the Trust and River at events and to community groups.
- Work with other staff, particularly the Invasive Species roles and the Habitats team, to run volunteer events for school groups, members of the public, community groups and corporate groups.
- Carry out other duties for the Trust as required, including supporting the Trust’s field team to increase the Officer’s understanding of the River.

**5. Skills and Background**

The Officer will be enthusiastic for outdoor learning and be a great communicator, able to use multi-media and able to engage across a broad spectrum of audiences. They will have experience in delivering environmental education and engagement activities. They will have a good understanding of the natural environment and rivers. They will be highly motivated and organised to work with many schools and community groups to deliver indoor and outdoor learning visits. They will be able to work independently and within the team at the River Office. They will enjoy liaising with the general public and young people.

The following qualities are essential:

- Demonstrated ability to deliver outdoor environmental education in an engaging and safe manner, to young people especially.
- Excellent communication skills, including social media, written and oral.
- Enthusiasm for the environmental activities of the Trust and willingness to get involved.
- A demonstrated ability to engage with educational organisations, members of the public and liaise with a wide range of stakeholders, including young people and community groups.
- Strong understanding of the natural environment, rivers and environmental issues.
- An ability to plan, organise and deliver own programme of work, including events.
- Awareness of safeguarding issues.
- Experience with risk assessments.
- Ability to work well independently and collaboratively in a small team environment.
- Experience in producing educational materials.
- Competency in Microsoft Office packages.
- A full driving licence.

The following qualities are desirable:

- Understanding of the Curriculum for Excellence and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
- Knowledge and familiarity with the freshwater and riverside environments of the River Dee.
- Experience of working with teachers or other educati