Youth Officer (Grow Wilder)

Do you want to create real change for nature and young people? We are looking for a Youth Officer who will support a youth-led, inter-generational project to deliver land-based works at Avon Wildlife Trust’s Grow Wilder site.

More about this role

We are looking for a practical, passionate and nurturing person to join our Communities, Youth & Learning team as a Youth Officer. You would be joining the team at an exciting time in the strategic direction of Avon Wildlife Trust as we develop an increasing focus on youth voice and agency.

In this role you will cultivate a supportive community of youth leaders and young volunteers, and run workshops for schools and youth groups. You will help 11-25 year olds to develop their knowledge, skills and passion for nature, and fight against climate and eco-anxiety through an inspiring nature restoration project. This role is partly funded by the Natural Heritage Lottery Fund, through a project run in partnership with Action for Conservation.

If you have strong ecology and land-based skills, the ability to create and hold inclusive and welcoming spaces for young people, and believe in putting young people at the heart of the conservation sector, we want to hear from you. This role is 22.5 hours a week, with flexibility over how this is spread across the week, however some evening and weekend work is required.

Person specificationE = essential criteria. D = desirable criteriaPlease note - we have robust safeguarding procedures in place. This post is subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check if applicable, and we will require two workplace references.

Experience

• Working with a wide range of groups of young people from diverse backgrounds, including people with special educational needs and disabilities (E)
• Facilitating projects to enhance outdoor spaces (e.g. gardens, parks, allotments or nature reserves) (E)
• Leading nature engagement activities with groups of young people outside, such as tree planting, wildlife pond maintenance and food growing (E)
• Mentoring young people experiencing challenging circumstances (E)
• Leading or supporting youth-led decision-making or eco-cultural mapping processes (D)
• Coordinating volunteer groups (D)

Competence, knowledge and skills

• Strong knowledge of local ecology (E)
• Ability to enthuse and inspire young people about local wildlife (E)
• Talent for creating and holding inclusive and welcoming spaces, and nurturing and supporting young people to shine (E)
• Excellent engagement and group management skills (E)
• Knowledge of common neurodiversities and special educational needs, along with effective strategies for providing support (E)
• Knowledge of local organisations and networks supporting young people (D)
• Ability to work on own initiative and as an effective team member (E)
• Some land-based skills, e.g. in food growing, building eco-structures, or natural crafts (D)
• Ability to carry out risk assessments in new outdoor working environments (D)
• Hold a full driving licence (D)

Personal qualities

• Passionate about local wildlife and appreciates the value of taking action for nature (E)
• Positive, solution-focused attitude (E)
• Warm and nurturing, with a positive attitude to young people from diverse backgrounds (E)
• Well organised and practical (E)
• An interest in wildlife and nature conservation and supportive of the aims of The Wildlife Trusts (D)
• Supportive of the Avon Wildlife Trust values (E)

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