Being an environmental education officer, you’ll heighten public enjoyment of the environment by educating and evaluating the natural world. You may work principally within a specific framework, such as in schools or nature sanctuaries. You could lead escorted nature walks for visitors or plan & coordinate events and awareness drives.
Coaching volunteers and community associations involved in an environmental profession such as conservation plans is also a regular job.
Responsibilities
- Research and strengthen educational programs and resources for schools, families, community groups, or visitors to sites of particular environmental interest
- Promote educational programs and resources to the objective audience through pamphlets, websites, newsletters, and social media
- Liaise with teachers, colleagues, and community groups on the design and delivery of educational programs
- Deliver lectures in schools or to community gatherings on environmental problems
- Guide groups and represent the natural environment for them on-site by leading guided walks and answering questions
- Organize events and activities to raise the consciousness of environmental concerns
- Train others, like teachers, in the management of resources and in addressing educational sessions
- Research and collect scientific data
- Hire, supervise and operate with aides
- Manage other segments of staff, depending on the organization’s scope and formation
- Act as a point of connection for teachers, educationalists, and co-workers and acknowledge inquiries for information on educational matters
- Create income for schemes through fundraising activities and review and bid for external funding
- Estimate the effectiveness of programs and write reports for your organization or funding bodies
- Manage budgets for projects and educational programs
- Stock hazard assessments, especially for outdoor activities
- Guide on and draft environmental education plans and strategies – this is usually done at a more superior level.
Salary
Opening salaries cover from £17,000 to £20,000.
You could get £20,000 to £25,000 with one to five years’ experience.
Salaries at a superior level or with expertise (i.e., after 10 to 15 years in the role) vary from £22,000 to £30,000. In more critical management offices, this could extend to £50,000.
Beginning salaries may be cheaper for posts concentrating principally on performing rather than enriching educational programs and activities.
Although many jobs are in the voluntary division, which is traditionally low paid.
** Salary figures are intended as a lead only.
Working terms
Working hours typically include regular office hours, but some evening/night and weekend jobs are essential for many offices, mainly when working with community associations.
What to expect
Posts are often for specific projects and a fixed term within one to three years, depending on funding.
An ample amount of time is spent out of the office in many tasks, either addressing programs in schools or other community or teaching groups outdoors.
Jobs are available everywhere in the UK. Many are based in nature sanctuaries and other rural neighborhoods. In contrast, others are open in urban areas – particularly in the government sector, where they’re often based at an organization’s front office.
The dress code diversifies depending on a working day, and the role is based out-of-doors or in the office. Some employers implement a uniform, such as a shirt advertising a unique organization.
In columns that focus on presentations to schools and different groups, touring is frequent but ordinarily restricted to the working day.
Qualifications
A related degree in a biological or environmental science discipline is usually needed. The following degree titles, in particular, may improve your prospects:
- Conservation biology
- Ecology
- Environmental management
- Agriculture
- Biology
- Botany or plant science
- Forestry
- Zoology
- Geography
- Entry with a related HND or foundation degree, such as farmland management or one of the titles above, is possible – especially for candidates with appropriate work expertise.
- It would be strange to start this career without any appropriate skills. You’ll need abundant work experience to earn for those mentioned above.
- Postgraduate eligibility in education is acceptable for many posts but only essential for schools focusing solely on schools. A suitable first degree is customarily more critical.
- A postgraduate qualification in an environmental field may be an asset.
Skills
- Dedication to, and passion for, environmental conservation and sustainable development
- The aptitude to communicate efficiently in printed materials as well as performances, workshops, and supervised tours
- Interpersonal talents and a capability to relate to personalities of all ages
- Exceptional organizational and time management abilities
- The strength to work well in a unit but also on your drive
- Excellent it skills
- A first-aid certificate and expert knowledge of health and safety – this may also be beneficial
- A complete disclosure and barring service or disclosure scotland review – usually expected if the role requires serving with children or vulnerable people
- A full driving license – is required for many jobs.
Work exposure
Appropriate work experience is essential for finding a paid position and should ideally involve environmental or conservation work and educational or community-based expertise, like youth work or summer camps. A teaching certificate may be necessary, and operating with children is advantageous, particularly in a school environment.
Organizations in this field will require you to show real dedication and enthusiasm for environmental issues. Getting paid work experience is often challenging. However, voluntary work is possible both part-time all year round and full time across the summer, through groups such as:
- The Conservation Volunteers (TCV)
- National Trust
- The Wildlife Trusts
Employers
Several environmental education officers are employed by voluntary organizations and patrons, including:
- The conservation volunteers (tcv)
- National trust
- The wildlife trusts
- RSPB – Royal Society For The Protection Of Birds
- Pressure and campaign associations such as greenpeace and friends of the earth
- Zoos, wildlife enclosures, and botanical conservatories.
The public division also engages environmental education officers. In local government, they may be used in environmental, planning, education, or leisure departments. Enduring staff is sometimes seconded to take on this role briefly.
Central government employers include the:
- English Heritage
- Forestry Commission
- Natural England
- Scottish Natural Heritage
Certain private sector employers with an enormous impact on the environment, such as prominent estates, oil, and oil supply companies, utilities, may have environmental training as part of their corporate social accountability agenda.
Alternative orders for employment with environmental education comprise:
- Countryside ranger
- Field studies officer
- Community warden
- Development officer
- Environmental planning officer.
Trainee posts with a set training program are infrequent in environmental education. Training typically takes place on the project and through internal and external programs.
More extensive employers often allow training on transferable skills, like:
- Presentation skills
- It training
- Time management.
Practical environmental studies, for example, on identification, surveying, or conservation of species, are offered by organizations such as the Field Studies Council (FSC). Mentoring and coaching courses, which might help work with volunteers, are available from various course providers.
Career prospects
There is no standard career pathway for an environmental education officer, as every post tends to be novel, and progression is dependent on the employing organization. It’s simple to be the only ecological education officer in an organization, which may mean you have to seek your progression opportunities.
In larger organizations, there are. It might mean taking on a more strategic role, such as education or development supervisor, bearing out policy work, and liaising with essential stakeholders such as the local authority.
Another option is to take in a broader role as manager of a heritage site, oversee all projects, and take accountability for all staff – not just those serving an educational role.
Often, this kind of development means relocating to a front office and running away from direct and regular contact with children or the wider public, which is usually the most enjoyable section of the work for several environmental education officers.
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