Learning Operations Administrator

JOB LOCATION

Low Beckside Farm, Mungrisdale, Cumbria, CA11 0XR
https://w3w.co/remarking.parks.client

HOURS

0.6 - 0.8 FTE (21 - 28 hours per week)

SALARY

£25,500 pro rata

REPORTS TO

Head of Learning, Operations and Partnerships (Cumbria and
Lancashire)

The Ernest Cook Trust

The Ernest Cook Trust is an educational charity and one of the UK’s foremost providers and
funders of Outdoor Learning. Our vision is for an environmentally engaged society with
stronger connections to nature.

Our mission is to improve the life chances of children and young people through a range of
Outdoor Learning experiences, enabling them to learn from nature, empowering them to
have a positive impact on the environment. We do this through grant support, direct delivery,
research and advocacy.

The Role

Following a period of expansion of the Trust’s activities in Cumbria and Lancashire, we are
seeking a highly organised person to undertake administrative duties which support the
implementation of our Outdoor Learning programmes, including apprenticeships, training
courses, traineeships and Outdoor Learning sessions to underserved children and young
people within our Cumbria/ Lancashire Hub, as well as across the Trust.

The post holder will be responsible for systems and processes at our Mungrisdale farm site,
supporting implementation of Health & Safety, safeguarding and risk assessment policies,
and ensuring that students, trainees and groups are booked in via Salesforce, supported
and feedback gathered. The post holder will also play a key role in supporting administration
of our grant-funded Learning Programmes.

The successful candidate will work with our experienced Outdoor Learning Officers, Farmer
and Apprentices to ensure we successfully deliver key elements of our learning strategy
across the Cumbria/ Lancashire Hub, particularly to those who might currently face barriers
to accessing and participating in the outdoors, such as people living in towns, and those who
aren’t well represented in natural spaces and environmental careers.

This is a wide-ranging role, which will suit someone who is happy assisting with a variety of
administrative tasks, taking a proactive approach and using their initiative. The post holder
will have a good eye for detail, be methodical, thorough and reliable, and have a positive,
friendly manner.

A love of the outdoors is essential in this ‘year-round’ environment and a good
understanding of farming in the uplands of Cumbria will help make that connection with the
local community, but also those we hope to bring to the farm.

The successful candidate will be someone who can work with a range of individuals and
groups and is interested in Outdoor Learning, working outdoors and supporting people. We
are looking for a team player who can also work independently where required, and
someone who can adapt wherever necessary to suit the moment's needs, often in front of a
group of learners.

Work will be based on our working, upland farm, so enthusiasm, whatever the weather, is
essential.

Main accountabilities

•  Administration of learning activities across the Trust
•  Maintain and provide technical support for the Salesforce Information Management

System - used for managing bookings, grants, and data collection

•  Manage and signpost enquiries via phone calls, visitors to sites, and email.
•  Manage bookings, act as a point of contact for further information and send out

paperwork and risk assessments to groups

•  Maintain digital records, including student training logs and feedback, produce

monthly/quarterly activity reports in line with the Trust’s requirements and update the
Salesforce database system

•  Work with Outdoor Learning Officers to complete and record risk assessments and
paperwork required for visits to sites and safe operation of vehicles, maintaining
consistency with the farming operation

•  Oversight of Health & Safety requirements (eg. fire alarm, PAT testing) at the

Mungrisdale site, in line with the Trust’s policies

•  Maintain the organisation of the Mungrisdale site and arrange for any reactive

maintenance required on site or on vehicles by liaising with contractors and farm staff

•  Order resources requested by Outdoor Learning Officers to ensure delivery of

learning programmes

•  Assist with GDPR compliance
•  Collate accident reports, ensuring they are shared with Learning Operations &

Training Coordinator in a timely manner

•  Seek opportunities to improve the environmental sustainability of our learning
programmes and efficiencies in our approach to learning on a working farm

Main Priorities

Administration

•  Provide administrative support to the Learning team, which includes correspondence

with schools, HE and FE settings, training providers and key contacts

•  Assist with the production of relevant reports
•  Assist in the planning and delivery of learning activity, training and events at our

farm, utilising databases and information management systems

•  Coordinate Outdoor Learning Practitioners Network (OPEN) for grantees in the North

of England

•  Coordination of Hub schools network - Schools Outdoor Learning network
(partnership with other OL providers in the Cumbria/Lancashire hub)

Person Specification

Specific Requirements

•  An experienced administrator, meticulous and

Skills and Knowledge

methodical

•  Well-developed diplomacy and interpersonal skills
•  Skilled in effectively communicating with diverse
audiences, from informal to formal settings

•  An appreciation of Outdoor Learning and the benefits

of environmental engagement

•  Good understanding of Further Education in the region
•  Good understanding or appreciation of hill farming

•  MS Office (including Word, Teams, Excel)
•  The ability to work comfortably with financial

information

•  Previous experience of use of databases and

Information Management Systems (e.g. Salesforce)

•  Safeguarding (training will be provided)
•  Understanding of GDPR
•  Previous experience in an administrative role

Desirable

•  Working knowledge of Salesforce
•  Good understanding of the UK charity sector
•  Knowledge of UK education systems

How to Apply

In the first instance, please upload your completed CV and cover letter to:

https://hr.breathehr.com/v/learning-operations-administrator-42662

Closing Date

Thursday 25 September 2025 at 23:59

Please note that this vacancy may close earlier than the advertised deadline if sufficient
applications are received

1st Interviews

Monday 6 October 2025 via Microsoft Teams

2nd Interviews

Tuesday 14 October 2025 at Low Beckside Farm, Mungrisdale, CA11 0XR

https://w3w.co/remarking.parks.client

We look forward to hearing from you.

Working at The Ernest Cook Trust

ABOUT US

As both a landowning organisation and an educational charity, we know we are naturally
unique. We seek to create opportunities that help people flourish through connections to
nature - particularly children, young people, their families and communities who face barriers
to accessing and participating in the outdoors.

The Ernest Cook Trust is part of an impressive community of networks and organisations
across the UK, working to help create a more environmentally engaged society. Our work is
increasingly done in collaborations and partnerships with like-minded organisations,
particularly with our funding partners, whose contribution significantly boosts the reach and
influence of our work.

Take a look at our website for more information:

www.ernestcooktrust.org.uk

OUR VALUES

The unique spirit of The Ernest Cook Trust is best expressed through our values:

Cultivating Connections At the heart of our work lies the
belief that meaningful and lasting change happens through
the cultivation of connections. We value the relationships we
build with the people and communities we serve, as well as
each other and the partnerships we form with like-minded
organisations. We understand that these connections create
the conditions for people and places to flourish.

Freedom to Try We embrace a culture of innovation and
resilience, where both our team members and the
individuals we serve have the freedom to try new things.
This value encourages a dynamic and adaptable approach,
nurturing trust and courage in ourselves and others.

Progressive Stewardship We believe in responsible,
forward-thinking management of our outdoor resources, as
places where diversity can thrive. By actively caring for the
environment, we ensure that the beauty and benefits of the
outdoors are accessible to all, changing lives through
individual and shared positive experiences.

How this role links to our values:

•  Cultivating Connections

Building relationships with education settings, training providers and key contacts across the
hub to maximise the efficacy of our learning programme delivery.

•  Freedom to Try

Participating in decision making about future learning and engagement activity at our farm in
Cumbria.

•  Progressive Stewardship

Being sustainable in our approach to learning and supporting our farmer and Learning team
to educate children and young people about farming, conservation and nature connection.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Join our friendly team at the Trust for a friendly and rewarding experience. We offer
competitive salaries, a range of benefits plus a training budget for your personal growth.
We currently have around 56 members of staff based either at our Gloucestershire Head
Office, across our UK landholdings and in our regional hubs (Gloucestershire,
Cumbria/Lancashire and Leicestershire) or working hybridly.

Enjoy our generous benefits:

•  10% employer pension contribution (5% from employees)
•  27 days annual leave, plus statutory holidays
•  Life Assurance
•  Access to Employee Assistance Programme, providing 24/7 support for health,

mental wellbeing, and more

•  Dynamic, creative, and welcoming work environment

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Embracing diversity is an essential part of the work of The Ernest Cook Trust. We are
committed to treating everyone as a unique individual, fairly and with respect, irrespective of
race, disability, age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, or religion. We are committed
to ensuring equality, respect, and safety for all, and prioritising the wellbeing of the children,
young people and vulnerable adults we support. Our safeguarding policy can be found here.

The appointment will be subject to satisfactory background checks including
Disclosure and Barring Service and relevant online searches to comply with best
practices in Safeguarding, and proof of the right to work in the UK.