Environmental Education Officer

Brigit's Garden is an innovative and unique not-for-profit project in Co. Galway involved in education, tourism and the environment. This is an exciting opportunity for an exceptional person who can take our environmental education programmes to the next level with flair and creativity.

Environmental education for primary schools, summer camps and special events at Brigit’s Garden are well established and have an excellent reputation. Our aim is to build on our achievements to date and grow Brigit’s Garden into a centre of excellence for nature, energy and sustainability education.  In 2013-14, funding from Science Foundation Ireland enabled us to install renewable energy and pilot new education activities on ‘Nature’s Power’ for primary and transition year students. We have now secured additional funding from SFI to develop the ‘Nature’s Power’ pilot activities into fully-fledged programmes that meet the curriculum needs of schools and are integrated with initiatives such as Green Schools, SEAI schools’ initiatives, DPSM and Energy in Education. This position is mainly funded through the SFI Discover Programme which aims to promote STEM education and public engagement.

The person will join our small, dedicated team and work closely with the Director and other staff.

 The Environmental Education Officer will be responsible for:

• Developing the existing pilot activities for ‘Nature’s Power’ into self-funding programmes for primary and secondary school students
• Leading the team for our existing environmental education programmes for primary schools, youth groups and summer camps  and integrating ‘Nature’s Power’ modules into them
• Building on links with NUI Galway to set up a peer education programme linking engineering students with transition year students
• Developing partnerships with schools and a programme of field trips at Brigit’s Garden for Junior and Leaving Certificate students
• Assisting with the organisation of related special events at Brigit’s Garden
• Liaising with the marketing and sales staff to ensure that all programmes are properly and creatively marketed
• Delivering on agreed targets in relation to the above

 Qualities and experience required:

• Proven experience in environmental education
• Excellent facilitation and leadership skills, especially with young people
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• The ability to inspire and motivate children and adults to engage with nature and sustainability
• Knowledge of or a strong interest in renewable energy and sustainable living
• Knowledge of the primary and/or secondary curricula and programmes such as Green Schools
• Sufficient scientific background to lead primary and secondary school STEM-related field trips
• Experience in classroom teaching, train-the trainer or developing and delivering training programmes
• Strong organisational and project-management skills
• High level of proficiency in Microsoft Office suite
• Competency in Irish would be an advantage

 Terms and conditions

• This is a part-time position with the potential to increase hours as programmes grow. The person will be paid for a minimum of 24 hours a week, with additional hours leading groups as required 
• The contract will run from January/February to December 2016
• The person will be employed by the Board of Trustees at Brigit’s Garden and report to the Director
• Salary on application

Application procedure

Please send your application by email to the Director, Jenny Beale, at jenny@brigitsgarden.ie with a CV and covering letter. Closing date is 24th January 2016.