Our Bright Future Project Officer To empower young people in Gloucester, Cheltenham, Tewkesbury and other areas across the county to engage with nature, learn new skills and take ownership of improving local green spaces. 28 hours a week over 4 days £21,000, pro-rata 0.8FTE Fixed term contract to December 2021 Learning Manager Our Bright Future Intern and volunteers Engagement Manager, Community Action Manager, Our Bright Future Team, Engagement and Learning Team and, Comms Team, young people 11-24yrs, members of the public, Avon Wildlife Trust Our Bright Future Manager and Team

We are Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust – the largest membership organisation in the county dedicated to local wildlife. We own and manage more than 60 nature reserves across the county, all of which offer free access for visitors. 28,000 members in Gloucestershire support our work, with hundreds regularly volunteering time and commitment.

Our mission is a simple one – to value nature. Our ambition is to restore, recreate and reconnect Gloucestershire’s wild places. We want everyone in Gloucestershire to value, enjoy and share the natural world.

Our priorities are outlined in our Strategic Plan: Wild Places, Natural Solutions - http://www.gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk/about-us/who-we-are/strategic-plan Our vision is ambitious, but we believe we can deliver it by: • Creating bigger, better, more connected wild places where people and wildlife can thrive • Inspiring more people and communities to take action for wildlife • Leading on ‘natural solutions’; championing the value of what wildlife can do for us • Growing our resources, influence and reach to shape a strong, resilient organisation

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust manages over 2,500 acres of land, from wetlands in the Severn Vale and heathland in the Forest of Dean, to limestone grasslands in the Cotswolds and a large ancient woodland at in . In addition to our community programmes, we have a vibrant programme of work outside our reserves, supporting farmers and landowners to deliver bigger, better and more connected landscapes where wildlife can thrive.

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust expects its staff, paid and unpaid, to carry out their duties in a way which consistently exceeds the regulations and expectations of society at large in matters ethical and environmental. The Trust will ensure that its staff receives appropriate training and development opportunities based on a documented personal annual appraisal.

Our Bright Future is an ambitious and innovative partnership led by which brings together the youth and environmental sectors. This £33 million programme funded by the National Lottery Community Fund is formed of 31 projects across the UK. Each project is helping young people aged 11-24 gain vital skills and experience and improve their wellbeing. At the same time, they act as catalysts for delivering change for their local environment and community; whilst contributing to a greener economy.

Gloucestershire Our Bright Future is being delivered in partnership with Avon Wildlife Trust. The project works with young people aged 11-24 year to improve their local spaces for people and wildlife in partnership with local authorities, housing associations, schools, colleges and youth groups in Gloucester, Cheltenham and Tewkesbury.

The Our Bright Future project offers a number of initiatives to engage young people with the natural world. This Project Officer will plan and deliver the Our Bright Future project activity and work with the team on project closure as well as maintaining project partnerships and sourcing further opportunities to work with more young people across the county. The role sits within the learning team at Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust.

• Work with young people in housing estate areas in Gloucester, Tewkesbury and Cheltenham to deliver nature–related projects and activities that will improve the local environment and engage the wider community, ensuring targets are met

• Train, mentor and support young people to lead projects and involve other young people in activities

• Involve young people in project material creation to ensure they are relevant to the target age group

• Develop and deliver activity programmes in green spaces suitable for different age groups (11-14, 14-18 & 18-24year olds) and varying levels of engagement, (single events to regular training activities)

• Supervise young people to undertake practical restoration and habitat creation in urban green spaces

• Engage and support young people with health and wellbeing issues to participate in the project

• Engage in community networks with key individuals and organisations that can support delivery of the project

• Deliver the project’s communication plan, making good use of social media relevant to young people

• Disseminate evaluation and health and wellbeing questionnaires for young people; record data and all activities for reporting to Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts and Big Lottery

• Work as a part of the team to deliver Our Bright Future as part of the secondary school learning offer and support the work of the Trust’s Learning Programme

• Organise & deliver outdoor learning sessions for secondary schools, colleges and community sites

• Develop, manage and implement the AQA unit award scheme modules and teacher support packs

• Work with the Learning Manager and Avon Wildlife Trust Our Bright Future Team on the project legacy

• Report monthly to the Learning Manager on project progress, administrative issues and workload priorities

• Report any key issues which may impact on other departments or affect safe working practices

• Minimise filing backlogs and prioritise workload to meet targets

• Attend training courses as required and as agreed with the Learning Manager

• Be familiar with Trust Policies and Procedures and implement, including appropriate risk assessments for the activities undertaken

• Participate in appropriate Trust and partners’ promotion activities as required including attendance at events

• Be familiar with the background, history and management of GWT’s involvement with urban green spaces and communities in Cheltenham, Tewkesbury and Gloucester

• Ensure that effective and efficient liaison is maintained with other Trust staff and volunteers and with landowner staff

• Attend and represent the Trust and partner organisations at external meetings, conferences, seminars, and public gatherings relating to the project

• Work with the Supporter Development Manager to distribute membership, promotional and recruitment literature where appropriate

• Liaise with the Communications Team and partner organisations for all promotional material and publications and for all contact with the media

• Report any faults or deficiencies in the project equipment to the Learning Manager

• Keep the Learning Manager advised of current and future requirements for equipment

• Always keep Health and Safety matters as the overriding determinant in all circumstances, including reporting any key issues which may impact on other departments or affect safe working practices

• Present a friendly, professional, confident and tidy appearance

• Carry out other duties from time to time as required by the Learning Manager or Head of Engagement and Learning

• At least two years’ experience of working on an environmental community project • Proven experience of wildlife gardening in an urban environment • Significant experience of working with young people and youth groups • Experience of forming effective relationships with youth group leaders and youth services • Working knowledge of safeguarding issues • Experience of recruiting, training and organising volunteers and carrying out risk assessments

• Experience of working with partner organisations

• Experience of working in disadvantaged communities or social housing estates • Knowledge of wildlife conservation and habitat management and creation • An understanding of the key issues and threats relating to biodiversity and sustainable development in general • Experience of working in situations where challenging behaviour may arise • Knowledge of challenges facing management of public green spaces

• Proven ability to motivate, train, mentor and support a diverse range of young people in practical outdoor activities • Ability to work independently using own initiative and judgement, as well as in close co-operation with others • Excellent presentation skills (written and verbal) and ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people • Excellent organisational and time-management skills, able to prioritise workloads and meet deadlines • Good IT skills and fully competent in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams • Able to engage and work with a diverse range of community organisations and leaders • Full driving licence

• Event management skills • Able to innovate and work with partners to solve problems • Minibus driver licence

• Passionate about the importance of wildlife and the natural environment to the health and sustainability of the planet’s climate, eco-systems and people • High degree of initiative and self-reliance • Enthusiasm, motivation and dedication • Pragmatism, tact and diplomacy, with an ability to work with partners • Good attention to detail • Reasonable level of personal fitness • Willingness to work outdoors • Proactive, flexible and comfortable with change

This is a part-time (28 hours per week) fixed term position until 31st December 2021. The working pattern will be 3 days between Monday to Friday and 1 day on Saturday. Due to the nature of the Trust’s work additional occasional weekend and evening may be necessary, for which time off in lieu will be given.

A contributory pension scheme is in operation and the post holder is entitled to 21 days paid leave per year pro rata (rising to 30 days through service) in addition to public holidays and Christmas closing period.

Our office facilities are at Robinswood Hill Country Park in Gloucester. Your line manager will provide details and agree your office/home/other working arrangements.

It is the nature of the work of Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust that tasks and responsibilities are, in many circumstances unpredictable and varied. All staff are, therefore, expected to work in a flexible way when the occasion arises where tasks that are not specifically covered in the Job Description have to be undertaken, including providing occasional cover for absent staff in order to maintain organisational effectiveness.

As part of its commitment to investing in its people, The Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust trains and supports its staff in the delivery of their duties. Advice will be given in drawing up a personal development plan and all suggestions considered according to resources available and the over-riding priorities of the Trust. An appraisal process is carried out every year.

Equal Opportunities

It is the Trust’s policy to employ the best qualified personnel and provide equal opportunity for the advancement of employees including promotion and training and not to discriminate against any person because of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religious beliefs, political opinion or affiliation, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, age or disability.

This project is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund as part of the Our Bright Future Programme.