Job description
Post title and post number Lapworth Museum Learning & Community Development Officer - 51783
Organisation advertising School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Description Sciences
Salary and Grade Grade 6 - Full time starting salary is normally in the range £27,025 to £29,515. With potential progression once in post to £33,199 a year.
Duration of Post Permanent
Hours Full Time
Additional Information The successful candidate will be required to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Background
The Lapworth Museum of Geology is one of the principal UK geological museums, with collections formally Designated by Arts Council England (ACE) as being of national and international importance. In 2016, the Lapworth re-opened following a £2.7m transformational redevelopment project, and since then visitor numbers have almost tripled, and the Museum was also an Art Fund Museum of the Year 2017 Finalist. During 2018, the Museum also became an Art Council England Nation Portfolio Organisation (NPO). The Museum is an integral part of the University’s School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (GEES) and provides considerable support for teaching and research within the School, and more widely across the University.
The Lapworth is located within the heart of the University of Birmingham’s Edgbaston campus and is open to the public 7 days a week and admission is free. The Museum forms a key part of The University’s portfolio of cultural resources, including the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, Winterbourne House & Gardens, Research & Cultural Collections, the Cadbury Research Library, the Elgar Concert Hall, the Shakespeare Institute and the Ironbridge Institute, largely set within an outstanding green urban campus. The Museum contains collections of around 300,000 objects including significant material from many of the most influential geologists, scientists and collectors of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Classic geological localities of international importance in the Midlands, the UK, and worldwide, are represented by outstanding specimens, object based collections and an historic archive.
Job summary
The Lapworth Museum requires a suitably qualified Learning & Community Development Officer (LCDO) to work with the existing Learning staff to further develop and deliver its successful learning programmes, particularly focusing on primary schools. In addition, the LCDO will work with the Lapworth Team to develop and deliver its highly successful, public engagement activities. A key component of the role will involve developing innovative, engaging and creative ways of engaging both existing, and new potential audiences. The LCDO will also work with the academic community to promote Public Engagement in Research (PER) through the Lapworth Museum.
Main duties Formal & Informal Learning
To develop strong relationships with the communities of the West Midlands and beyond and work alongside them and educational groups, particularly primary schools, who might use the Museum. This will involve working closely with family groups, adults, community groups, university community, and volunteers.
To develop and deliver the primary school learning programmes and assist the Learning & Engagement Officer (LEO) to produce inspiring, creative and innovative public engagement programmes.
Support the LEO with the marketing of formal and informal learning opportunities available at the Museum.
Maintain up to date knowledge of the National Curriculum and develop the education provision of the Lapworth Museum in response to its content.
Work with the Digital Technologies Officer to develop innovative use of digital data, and digital technologies, within the primary schools learning and general public engagement programmes of the Lapworth Museum.
To be a customer facing point of contact for booked group visits, giving structured tours and leading hands-on activities, using the dedicated learning room and galleries.
To deliver off site outreach work to schools and community groups at a range of venues.
Coordination of loans of handling sets to schools.
To develop the Primary Schools learning and programme content of the Museum’s web site, and contribute to the Museum’s social media platforms
To develop joint learning programmes and activities with other cultural organisations at the University.
To help coordinate the Lapworth’s activities related to the University’s major public engagement programmes, for example Community Day and Art & Science Festival.
In addition to activities directly associated with the Lapworth Museum, the post-holder will assist with wider School outreach and public engagement activities and development of relevant resources, across Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences, potentially including engagement with Schools, Alumni, the wider public and the recruitment of prospective students.
Work with Academic Keepers for Research and Public Engagement in connection with engaging research in learning and public engagement activities with the Lapworth/GEES, and for specific public engagement projects.
Public Engagement in Research
To work with the Academic Keepers and wider researchers/academics within GEES, the College of Life & Environmental Sciences and the wider university, to support Public Engagement in Research agendas and activities. This will include working with researchers and academics to help them deliver outreach and impact activities (e.g. temporary exhibitions, school sessions, workshops) through the Lapworth Museum.
Volunteer Engagement Recruit volunteers to help with the development and delivery of the Learning & Public Engagement Programmes.
Ensure appropriate training of volunteers working within Learning and Public Engagement at the Lapworth.
Marketing & Publicity
To assist the LEO and Digital Technologies Officer (DTO) with the development of learning resources and programme content for the Lapworth Museum website.
To promote and market the primary school learning opportunities available at the Museum.
To work with the LEO to promote outreach and public engagement activities offered by the Lapworth Museum.
Evaluation & Monitoring Working with the Learning & Engagement Officer to monitor and evaluate the learning and public engagement programmes and general visitor satisfaction. This will include related evaluation linked to ACE goals and the Lapworth’s aims and objectives within its ACE NPO Project Business Plan.
To maintain accurate records of educational and interpretative activities and provide reports, as required.
Support the Director in terms of provision of qualitative and quantitative measures of learning and public engagement programmes for reporting purposes.
Other The position will be subject to a DBS check.
The successful applicant will be required to travel offsite with regards to outreach work.
To maintain high standards of safety and welfare for pupils and teachers making use of educational programmes, and for volunteers who support the Museum’s learning provision.
Dimensions Developing and delivering for the Lapworth Museum of Geology, a creative and innovative primary school learning and public engagement programme for current museum audiences and for potential museum audiences including schools, family groups, adults, community groups, and others making of use of the museum on site and through outreach activities. This involves working with current diverse audiences comprising over 60,000 people. The LCDO will also be working with a considerable number of Lapworth Museum volunteers (up to 20), and undergraduate students.
Skills and Experience
Qualifications/Training
A qualification at degree level in geology, geography or a related science discipline. Alternatively, an equivalent professional qualification or significant experience in a related discipline.
A museum studies qualification would be desirable.
Experience
Significant and demonstrable experience gained in museum/learning environment.
Preparation, planning and delivery of formal and informal learning programmes.
Experience of developing strategies, policies and action plans for learning and community engagement.
Involvement in networks and evidence of working with stakeholder and user groups, including local communities.
Experience of planning and delivering training and education programmes and developing learning resources and interpretation material.
Experience of undertaking community consultation and engagement activities.
Experience of training staff and volunteers.
Working knowledge of marketing, promotion techniques and social media platforms.
Knowledge of current good practice and policy within the E ducation/museums/learning sectors.
Awareness of issues relating to access, social inclusion, cultural diversity and disability.
Understanding of the Health and Safety issues and risk assessment procedures associated with working with young people, volunteers and the local community.
Project Management – including development of work programmes, managing budgets and monitoring progress.
Practical Skills Demonstrate the ability to communicate and adapt communication methods appropriately for a diverse range of groups and organisations.
The ability to organise and manage time and can prioritise time when faced with conflicting demands.
Competence in using IT and Microsoft Office products.
Personal Qualities and Attributes The ability to work independently or as part of a team.
Interest in geology, museums, heritage.
Self-motivated and able to work un-supervised.
Willingness to work evenings, weekends and public holidays as required, on and off-site.
Planning and Organising
The responsibilities of the Learning & Community Development Officer (LCDO) in the Lapworth Museum will involve a high degree of independent work, planning and organising.
The requirements of the role are pro-active in terms of developing the primary schools learning programmes, and in terms of marketing and developing identified target audiences.
The LCDO will plan, manage and organise the input of students and volunteers to successfully delivery the primary school educational function of the Museum.
The LCDO will be proactive in engaging researchers with the Museum’s outputs.
The LCDO must plan and react swiftly to changes and developments in the museum/heritage educational and wider educational sector.
The post holder will be the main point of contact for users of the Museum’s primary schools learning programmes.
The post-holder will be pro-active in terms of developing methods for engaging and partnering with the Museum’s target audiences and groups within the wider community.
The post holder will receive requests to use the Learning and Public Engagement programmes of the museum, but will also be proactive in developing audiences.
The LCDO will be proactive in encouraging and engaging academics/researchers with the Lapworth’s learning and public engagement programmes.
Decision Making
(i) without reference to others:
Deciding on the methods of delivering museum primary schools education programmes for a wide range of users, with varying abilities. Ensuring that Learning Programmes fulfil/attain professional standards and guidelines. Decisions regarding the development and organisation of primary schools educational resources. The content of web-based educational resources. Loan arrangements for the Lapworth’s primary schools loans collections. Advising the Lapworth Museum Advisory Committee on aspects of primary schools education programmes and outreach target audience development and provision. Use of specific educational budgets.
(ii) after consulting others
In liaison with Museum Director, Academic Keepers, Learning & Engagement Officer and Digital Technologies Officer, decisions regarding the content of Museum exhibitions. In consultation with the LEO, ensuring the Secondary Education programmes fulfil/attain professional standards and guidelines. In liaison with the LEO and Museum Director, the organisation of various Lapworth Museum events. In liaison with Academic Keeper (Public Engagement) organising of specific public engagement activities/sessions/workshops. In liaison with Academic Keeper(s) and wider academic community, the organisation of Public Engagement with Research activities and events. iii) or that would be referred to someone else.
Decisions regarding overall museum strategy. The Lapworth Museum’s overall Learning and Outreach policies. Museum funding issues. Overall Museum Volunteer Policies
Internal Relations
The University Widening Participation & Outreach Team- Purpose: To promote use of the Lapworth Museum as an educational resource and university shop window for schools, colleges etc.
Various University Events Coordinators – Purpose: Developing, promoting and delivery of events organised by the Lapworth Museum as part of the wider UoB public engagement, and campus community events, programmes.
Cultural Assets on Campus – Purpose: Partnership working, events coordination and delivery, joint educational and marketing initiatives.
Occasional Student Staff & Voluntary Staff- Purpose: supervision, training in methodology, setting priorities.
Web Editors/Team – Purpose: Developing an innovative and engaging learning and programme content for the Lapworth Museum website.
University Researchers – Purpose: Engaging researchers and research activity in the learning and outreach programmes of the Museum, and for promoting and developing the Lapworth’s offer related to Public Engagement in Research.
External Relations
Local Communities – Purpose: Advocacy, promoting the ‘Museum offer’, build partnerships, and develop audiences.
Schools & Colleges - Purpose- Build partnerships, and also plan and arrange successful visits, and associated activities.
General Public- Purpose: Advocacy, develop public activities and events.
Artists- to engage artists in creative Science – Arts interactions and activities linked to the Museum’s primary education and public engagement programmes.
Wider Museum Community- Purpose: Develop partnerships and joint working/marketing initiatives and share good practice and innovations.
Specialist Education Groups – Purpose: Develop partnerships, knowledge transfer, sharing of good practice and innovations.
Equal Opportunities
The School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences is an equal opportunities employer and holds an Athena Swan Bronze award. Female and BME staff are under-represented in the School and so we particularly value applications from such candidates. The School is happy to consider applications from candidates looking for flexible part time/job share arrangements as part of the appointment.
The School’s Equality & Diversity / Athena SWAN lead, Sara Fregonese ([email protected]; 0121 414 3635) is available to discuss equal opportunities policies and initiatives, also outlined at: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/gees/about/athena-swan.aspx
The School is keen to improve its understanding of the perception of its equality opportunities policies, as a component of Athena Swan Silver status (application currently under review); we would be grateful if applicants would fill out a short (and completely anonymous) questionnaire regarding this specific issue, which can be found at: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/KY9LH6P