THE WILDHEART TRUST
Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, Sandown, Isle of Wight
Part-time
JOB DESCRIPTION Learning and Discovery Officer Job Title: Learning and Discovery Officer Department: Learning and Discovery Location: Reports To: Supervisory Responsibilities: Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, Sandown, Isle of Wight Learning and Discovery Manager Supervision of educational groups Functional Relationship: Works closely with schools and other formal educational groups General Function of the Position The primary functions of this position are: to deliver guided tours in an engaging way linking with agreed learning objectives. to, deliver educational outreach sessions for schools and other groups to constructively feedback on sessions to assist the Learning and Discovery Manager to continually improve the sessions. Organisational Values The Wildheart Trust has five values that form the core of how employees carry out their work at the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary and across any future organisational developments it may have. The values shape the culture of the organisation and demonstrate what is important within The Wildheart Trust. These values focus on how we do our job and how we conduct ourselves in the workplace, and as a Trust. Care We treat every being with respect and compassion and we care about maintaining high standards in all that we do. Integrity We are honest, responsible and accountable so that we can be trusted. Commitment We work hard to honour our mission and are devoted to the people and animals in our care. Positivity We need a special combination of pragmatism, passion and optimism to tackle really tough issues that sometimes seem insurmountable. Learning We never stop learning and together we share our knowledge to foster love for the natural world and for animals. Key Tasks 1. Education Delivering guided tours to educational groups at the sanctuary. Delivering educational outreach sessions, utilising appropriate species from the sanctuary. Assist with evaluation of taught sessions to allow continual improvements Ensure all sessions are delivered in an exciting and engaging fashion. Ensure all sessions meet any pre agreed learning objectives provided by the school. Provide input to the head of learning and discovery on the content of the educational sessions. 2. Conservation Good understanding and knowledge of the conservation projects being supported by the sanctuary, linking our work to educational objectives. Helping people to further understand how they could participate in wildlife conservation in their own neighbourhoods and through lifestyle choices. 3. Health and Safety To comply with all health and safety requirements as per the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary Health and Safety Manual. To read, understand and adhere to all departmental safe working procedures and risk assessments. 4. Planning Attend departmental meetings / undertake agreed actions. 5. Human Resources Attend formal and informal training as required. Identify additional training with the supervisor for professional development. Person Specification Details Qualifications A background in biological sciences is desirable. Experience Experience teaching a diverse range of groups of students in a formal and/or informal educational setting. Skills and Abilities Teaching Be able to deliver sessions in an exciting and engaging way. Excellent communication skills with a diverse range of groups. Sound knowledge of how the natural world links with educational objectives. Positive Attitude Positive, enthusiastic ‘can do’ attitude. 2 Outside work Willingness to work outside in all weathers Reliability Reliable with a strong work ethic. Time Management Good time management and organisational skills. Visitor Focused Excellent customer service skills Strong communication and people skills including a positive, friendly and approachable attitude at all times towards visitors to the sanctuary. Teamwork Actively participates as a member of a team to move the team toward the completion of goals. Contributes actively and fully to team projects by working with colleagues collaboratively, working towards consensual solutions that enhance the output of the team. Accepts share of workload. Living the values An understanding of the values and behaviour expected within the role Charitable outputs An understanding of how this role supports the delivery of our charitable outputs. Signatures Signed: (Line Manager) Signed: (Employee) Date : Date : 3
JOB DESCRIPTION Discovery Host Discovery Host Learning and Discovery Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, Sandown, Isle of Wight Learning and Discovery Manager Job Title: Department: Location: Reports To: Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervision of experience guests Functional Relationship: Works closely with schools and other formal educational groups Who Are We The Wildheart Trust is a registered charity which is dedicated to rescuing animals from cruelty and optimises their power as ambassadors to end animal exploitation and protecting their wild counterparts. The Trust runs the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary and provides governance for its conservation aims. Never before have the realities of widespread animal exploitation and abuse been so apparent. We aim to end animal cruelty in captivity, whilst ensuring cohesive and well- functioning ecosystems in the wild. The Trust actively campaigns to end practices that drive animal suffering in captivity. In addition, it links the rescued animals with its conservation work, providing funds and technical support to in-situ conservation programmes for tigers in India, lemurs in Madagascar and native species here in the UK. General Function of the Position The primary functions of this position are: To host animal experiences, birthday parties, group visits and tours to a high standard To represent the sanctuary both onsite and promoting the sanctuary on location To offer an excellent standard of customer service no matter what role you are in Be adaptable and able to undertake a diverse range of visitor facing duties as required To tell the animals’ stories and be able to engage a wide variety of age groups Be excellent at engaging and talking to visitors of all ages. Organisational Values The Wildheart Trust has three values that form the core of how employees carry out their work at The Wildheart Animal Sanctuary and across any future organisational developments it may have. The values shape the culture of the organisation and demonstrate what is important within The Wildheart Trust. These values focus on how we do our job and how we conduct ourselves in the workplace, and as a Trust: • We are united and thrive as a team. • Every interaction is an opportunity to impress. • We are purposeful and at the forefront of change. Key Tasks 1. Animal Experiences Ensuring guests have a once in a lifetime encounter with our animals whilst adhering to health and safety guidelines Liaising with staff from animal, catering and retail departments to deliver adult and junior animal experiences including big cat encounters and animal carer for the day experiences Delivering agreed educational messages relevant to animal experiences To ensure visitor safety at all times during animal experiences Promote and ensure good animal welfare during the experience 2. Birthday Party Host Deliver birthday party experiences for the sanctuary. Ensure it is continuously relevant to customer needs and in line with the values of the charity. Liaise with birthday child parents to ensure a consistent, happy and enjoyable experience. Host the party to deliver age appropriate and fun information and activities. To ensure visitor safety during the party. 3. Education Delivering guided tours to educational groups at the sanctuary. Plan and deliver educational sessions on site as well as outreach sessions, utilising appropriate species, artefacts and resources from the sanctuary. Assist with evaluation of taught sessions to allow continual improvements. 2 Ensure all sessions are delivered in an exciting and engaging fashion. Ensure all sessions meet any pre-agreed learning objectives provided by the school. Provide input to the head of Learning and Discovery on the content of the educational sessions. 4. Events & Outreach Represent the sanctuary at external outreach events and support the work of the charity by increasing our profile and promoting any offers. Support events at the sanctuary, ensuring visitors all have an amazing experience. Participate in education, media and marketing initiatives as required Engage with visitors informally throughout the day, ensuring everyone has a great visit Help visitors get to safety in the event of an emergency Support the team as needed with animal encounters during the day 5. Health and Safety To comply with all health and safety requirements as per the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary Health and Safety Manual. To read, understand and adhere to all departmental safe working procedures and risk assessments. 6. Planning Attend departmental meetings / undertake agreed actions. 7. Human Resources Attend formal and informal training as required. Identify additional training with the supervisor for professional development. Person Specification Details Experience Experience in a public facing role delivering guest experiences Experience of communicating with people of all ages and from a diverse range of backgrounds Skills and Abilities Visitor Focused Good understanding of the role of the sanctuary and the mission of the Wildheart Trust Excellent customer service skills Exceptional people skills including a positive, friendly and approachable attitude at all times. An enthusiastic personality with the ability to engage and hold the interest of a wide and diverse range of people and age groups 3 Passionate about the natural world A desire to help people get the most from their visit Positive Attitude Positive, enthusiastic ‘can do’ attitude. Outside work Willingness to work outside in all weathers Reliability Reliable with a strong work ethic. Time Management Teamwork Good time management and organisational skills. Actively participates as a member of a team to move the team toward the completion of goals. Contributes actively and fully to team projects by working with colleagues collaboratively, working towards consensual solutions that enhance the output of the team. Accepts share of workload. Living the values An understanding of the values and behaviour expected within the role Charitable outputs An understanding of how this role supports the delivery of our charitable outputs. Signatures Signed: (Line Manager) Signed: (Employee) Date : Date : 4