Job opportunities

Volunteer Education Assistant

Volunteer Education Assistant Opportunity

 

Location: The Big Cat Sanctuary, Smarden, Kent

Reports to: Education and Sustainability Officer

Commitment: At least 1-2 days per week, Mon-Fri

Role Purpose: To support the Education and Sustainability Officer with the efficient running of education events ensuring a high-quality and engaging education experience.

Background detail: Through workshops, tours and sensory experiences, the BCS helps young people learn all about the cats at the Sanctuary and the threats they face in the wild. Exploring issues such as climate change, deforestation and illegal wildlife trade, we aim to educate and inspire students on both the negative impacts we are having on our planet and the animals that reside here, as well as positive initiatives that have been introduced to protect Earth and its inhabitants.

See here for further info: https://thebigcatsanctuary.org/education/ 

Role Description and key activities:

• Shadow and support the Education and Sustainability Officer to deliver activities for children.
• Assist with preparations for sessions including setting up rooms and preparing materials.
• Welcome children and teachers/parents to sessions, chat to people as they arrive and help familiarise them with the site and activities and answer any questions they might have. This may also include taking a register as people arrive.
• Assist the Education and Sustainability Officer with running sessions; this will include helping to supervise children, directing them in the activities and ensuring they are safe and happy.
• Always follow the Big Cat Sanctuary Safeguarding and Health and Safety guidance for working with children.
•  Always uphold the values of the Sanctuary and actively promote the aims of the BCS with visitors.
• Work as part of a close-knit team, closely following instructions and guidance.
• Please note that specific sessions are usually aimed at specific age groups, if you prefer to work with a specific age group or on a particular activity, please let us know.

Specialist knowledge and experience:

• Experience of, or willingness to, work with children of all ages and abilities, and on occasion adults
• Must undertake internal safeguarding training
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of /or interest in conservation/wildlife and an interest in working for a charity which is determined to protect wildlife for the future.
• Enthusiasm, a positive attitude and an ability to work well with people from a variety of backgrounds is essential.

Why volunteer and why this opportunity?

As well as the opportunity to make a significant contribution to a worthwhile organisation, this role provides opportunities to develop skills and knowledge. It is also an opportunity to become part of a thriving community of committed volunteers. This opportunity will allow you to get experience working with children in a conservation charity.

Time commitment

Ideally volunteering for at least one-two days a week, generally Mon-Fri, although education sessions may be arranged at different times and on different days of the week, so some flexibility would be helpful

Special Conditions

Our roles will require a good level of physical fitness to support children in an outdoor environment, on uneven ground. Please let us know if you have accessibility requirements.

Some of our roles require an enhanced barred DBS check; we can only accept checks from other organisations if you are on the updates service