Sunday, November 15, 2015

Wildlife Connections Project Officer







Wildlife Connections Project Officer

Job Description : Chester Zoo has 1.43 million zoo visitors a year. It is one of the leading zoological collections in Europe with an international reputation for achieving its mission in conservation, research and education.

We are seeking to recruit a Wildlife Connections Project Officer on a temporary 23 month contract basis within our award winning Discovery & Learning Division. The successful candidate will be highly motivated to work within a dynamic community conservation setting engaging on a regional programme encompassing social science and biodiversity conservation.

Wildlife Connections is Chester Zoo’s new wildlife campaign that aims to create a regional network of skilled people and habitats to enable declining native species to thrive. The Wildlife Connections Project Officer role will enable Chester Zoo to fully deliver this new campaign in 2016 and 2017. They undertake the administration of the project, maintain relationships with community partners, develop and deliver training for community group leaders and create resources for use by those community partners and other project participants. They will also support the wider development of the project campaign, including researching and writing content for the microsite, setting up meetings and co-ordinating events with partners and at the zoo (in collaboration with others on the project team). The role will ensure the project delivers maximum value for money/effort, serving the strategic objectives of the organisation. The role requires the post holder to work extensively across different departments and with external colleagues.

The ideal candidate will have:

    •    Experience coordinating and administering community programmes and projects, preferably within a zoo, aquarium or other environmental education or conservation focused organisation.
    •    Appropriate knowledge of conservation and the key issues threatening the natural world today, particularly with a focus on UK native species. This is likely to be demonstrated by a relevant degree and/or extensive experience within a conservation organisation or similar environment
    •    Relevant experience leading training and/or delivering workshops to adult audiences from a wide variety of backgrounds.
    •    Experience developing high quality resources for learning, both paper based and digitally.
    •    Exceptional communication and presentation skills, demonstrated through a wide range of experience presenting to different audiences, teaching and delivering learning in different formats (workshops, presentations, talks, tours etc.)
    •    Experience working collaboratively with a wide range of community partners, including stakeholder engagement.
    •    Experience of using learning programmes to bring about social change, ideally encouraging sustainable behaviours.


Additional qualities required are:

    •    Attention to detail and proof reading skills are essential.
    •    Skills in the use of Microsoft Office and use of digital technologies for public engagement. Film editing and ability to manipulate and edit images would be an advantage.
    •    Excellent time management and planning skills. Ability to coordinate multiple project activities, meeting deadlines and ensuring appropriate quality control.
    •    Excellent diplomacy and interpersonal skills. Ability to work effectively under own initiative and as part of a team, to work under pressure with positive attitude, and also to enthuse and engage others.


You will be required to work 35 hours per week within a 5 in 7 roster system which will include weekends and Bank Holidays. Flexibility is required to meet the needs of the project. Salary is £19,133 per annum.

To apply for this position, please provide your current CV and covering letter stating why you believe you should be considered for this role.




Closing date for applications is 22nd November 2015.

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