Environmental education officer
Environmental education officers are involved in making people aware of environmental issues, promoting conservation and sustainability, and enhancing the public's enjoyment of the environment through teaching and interpreting the natural world.
Their range of activities varies hugely from job to job. Some work mainly with schools, giving talks, taking part in and developing projects. They also deliver presentations in schools or host groups at relevant sites, such as nature reserves.
Others work with a wider range of age groups, for example leading guided nature walks for visitors or organising events and awareness campaigns. Many also work with and train volunteers and community groups involved in environmental work.
Most environmental education posts include the development and marketing of education programmes as well as the practical delivery to a target audience. Typical activities may include:
Particularly at a more senior level, you might also be involved in advising on and drafting environmental education policies and strategies for your organisation or the wider community.
A relevant degree in a biological or environmental science discipline is often required. The following degree subjects in particular may increase your chances:
Entry with a relevant HND/foundation degree such as countryside management or one of the subjects above is possible, particularly for candidates with relevant work experience.
It would be unusual to enter this career without any relevant qualifications. You would need substantial work experience to make up for this.
A postgraduate qualification in education is desirable for many posts but only essential for those that focus exclusively on schools. A relevant first degree is usually more important. A postgraduate degree in an environmental field may also be an advantage.
Relevant work experience is key to finding a paid position. This should, ideally, include both environmental or conservation work and educational or community-based experience, such as youth work or summer camps.
Candidates need to show evidence of the following:
For many posts, a full driving licence is necessary. A first aid certificate and a good knowledge of health and safety may also be useful.
Employers in this field will want you to show real commitment and passion for environmental issues. Gaining relevant experience is one of the best ways of demonstrating this on your CV. Finding paid work experience is often difficult. However, voluntary work is available both part time all year round and full time over the summer through organisations such as the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) , the National Trust , the National Trust for Scotland and The Wildlife Trusts . You may also join these organisations as a student member and keep up to date with current environmental issues.
You might not be able to get involved in educational activities from the start. However, any relevant experience gives you the opportunity to speak to professionals in environmental education, build up a network of contacts that might be useful in your job search, and give you invaluable practical skills.
Experience of working with children and particularly in a school environment is also useful, as is a knowledge of the education system and the curriculum (see National Curriculum Online and Learning and Teaching Scotland ). If a role involves working with children or vulnerable people, a full Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) or Disclosure Scotland check is usually required before you may start work.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
Trainee posts with a set training programme are very rare in environmental education. Training usually takes place on the job and through internal and external courses. Larger employers often offer training on transferable skills, such as time management, presentation skills or IT training.
Organisations such as the Field Studies Council (FSC) also offer practical environmental courses, for example on identification, surveying or conservation of species. Mentoring and coaching courses, which might be useful for working with volunteers, are available from a variety of course providers. Attending relevant conferences is also an effective way of keeping up to date with current issues and refreshing your knowledge, both for environmental and educational issues, developments and policies.
For most environmental education posts, continuous professional development (CPD) is seen as an essential part of the job. Training needs may be identified as part of an appraisal process but, particularly in smaller organisations, it is likely that you will be responsible for managing and arranging your own training.
There is no 'typical' career path for an environmental education officer, as each post tends to be unique and progression depends on the employing organisation. In many organisations, you might be the only environmental education officer, so you may not have any colleagues with direct experience of environmental education work. In this type of organisation your line manager is unlikely to be a specialist in this field.
There are opportunities to progress to management positions. In organisations with a larger educational department, this might mean taking on a more strategic role, for example as education or development manager, carrying out policy work and liaising with key stakeholders such as local government.
Another option is to take on a wider role, for example as manager of a heritage site, overseeing all activities and taking responsibility for all staff, not just those working in an educational role. Often, this kind of promotion means relocating to a head office and a move away from the direct and daily contact with children or the wider public, which is the most enjoyable part of the job for many environmental education officers.
Many environmental education officers are employed by voluntary organisations. These include:
The public sector also employs increasing numbers of environmental education officers. In local government, they may be employed in environmental, education, planning or leisure departments. Staff are sometimes seconded to take on this role temporarily.
Central government employers include:
There are also some jobs with private sector employers, such as large estates, and with utilities, oil and oil supply companies and other businesses that have a large impact on the environment. Environmental education may be part of the corporate social responsibility agenda.
In addition to jobs advertised as environmental education officers, many other posts include environmental education tasks. Look for job titles such as community warden or development officer, countryside ranger, field studies or environmental planning officer.
For more information, see the environment and conservation sector.
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