Intern (RSPB Conwy Environmental Education Internship)

We are recruiting for a part-time Education intern to deliver nature-based sessions to school groups at RSPB Conwy nature reserve from March - July 2024. Looking to get some quality experience with Europe's largest conservation charity. engaging with children and delivering environmental education? Are you just starting out in your career or considering a career change and need to gain experience in this competitive area? This could be the role for you!

We're looking for an intern to share their enthusiasm for the outdoors with visiting school groups, here at RSPB Conwy. You do not need to be a wildlife expert, you just need to have a passion for working with young people, be happy to be outdoors in all weather and have energy to be on-the-go all day. Good communication skills and enthusiasm are essential.

Our schools programme here at Conwy includes activities ranging from pond dipping to birdwatching to exploring the seasons and more. Following a period of training and shadowing our Learning Officer, we'll ask you to take the lead in delivering pre-prepared, hands-on, exciting sessions to visiting schools.

Because of the training involved, we are looking for someone who can commit to 2-3 days a week, for 5 months from March-July 2024. If you are able to stay on and assist over the summer holidays with our family events, that would be a bonus. A typical day would be 8.45 - 15.30, but we can be flexible as the core time you would need to be able to commit to is 9-14.45. There will be opportunities to assist with the wider day-to-day operations of the reserve.

What's in it for you?

As a schools volunteer intern, no day will be the same. We teach in a variety of habitats and to a variety of age groups, so you will get a wide range of experience. This role will give you the opportunity to make a real difference enriching the lives of young people and inspiring them to care and learn more about the natural world with the RSPB.

As a volunteer who leads sessions, you will be responsible for ensuring students have wonderful hands-on experience with nature. We will support you with training and observation time along the way, allowing you to build your confidence gradually ensuring you are fully confident to lead groups independently.

You'll be part of a small, friendly team of staff and volunteers here.

We are accessible by public transport and pay travel expenses (up to 25miles), making it easy to volunteer here.

You’ll get training in delivery, local species ID, the safe use of all equipment, first aid, mentoring and lots of first-hand experience.

Tasks will include

• Observing and co-teaching sessions alongside the Learning Officer, building up to leading high quality sessions independently.

• Helping to set up for school visits and tidy up at the end of the day.

• Working with the reserve Visitor Experience Manager to support family wildlife events.

• Familiarising yourself with the Welsh Curriculum and modern teaching methods (training will be provided).

We are looking for someone with the following:

• A keen interest in wildlife, conservation and the environment.

• An enthusiasm for outdoor education and a willingness to learn new skills

• A resourceful and flexible approach to be able to cope with a wide variety of ages and abilities of children

• The confidence and ability to lead a fun and active day's education programme with a group of students and their teacher. Full training provided.

• Self-motivated with ability to work as part of a team and alone.

• Experience working or volunteering with children desirable but not essential.

Desirable but not essential:

• The ability to speak Welsh

**We anticipate interviewing successful applicants on **

Our internships are designed to offer work experience. However, doing an internship does not, unfortunately, guarantee future employment with the RSPB. Interns are welcome to apply for our paid vacancies, but for obvious reasons, an intern would need to have proven themselves in their current role before their volunteering experience will assist an application for a paid post.

In line with our Safeguarding policy, all applicants are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service.