Outdoor Community Learning and Engagement Officer

Reports to: Learning and Engagement Manager (Community Programmes)

Salary: £27,825 - £32,550 (Team Specialist Band) [Pro-rata - 0.6 FTE]

Hours of Work: 3 days a week (largely between Monday-Friday, but flexibility required for some evening and weekend sessions). Fixed term from June 2026 to March 2027.

Background: Dynamic Earth is an educational charity on a mission to empower people with understanding and empathy for the Earth. Our Learning and Engagement team creates, curates and delivers a diverse programme of events and experiences throughout the year which support the delivery of Dynamic Earth’s strategic plan and charitable purpose. With thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, we are delivering an ambitious programme of work to enhance our connectivity with our surrounding environment of Arthur’s Seat and Holyrood Park. This programme of work will see Dynamic Earth create a new free-to-access gallery exploring the science and heritage of Arthur’s Seat and Holyrood Park, enhance our outdoor interpretation and deliver an enhanced programme of outdoor learning for communities and underrepresented audiences to engage with outdoor spaces.

In this role, you will work closely with the Learning and Engagement Manager (Community Programmes) and colleagues from across the Learning and Engagement Team to create and deliver new opportunities for underrepresented communities to engage with the science and heritage of Holyrood Park, including the creation of an outdoor community garden in the grounds of our centre.

Role Purpose: To develop, co-ordinate and deliver outdoor learning and engagement events and experiences which support our strategic priority of enhancing the connectivity of Dynamic Earth and our immediate surroundings of Holyrood Park.

Main Duties:

• Communities: You will work within the community learning and engagement team to develop and deliver outdoor events and experiences which reach underserved and underrepresented audiences. You will place evolved co-creation and values-driven practice at the heart of our programmes with a focus on repeat engagement models in an in-reach and outreach capacity. You will play an active, regular and hands-on role in delivering our community events and experiences with colleagues and audiences.
• Schools and Families: You will work with colleagues to support the development and delivery of events and experiences which support learners in accessing their entitlement to outdoor learning as part of the Learning for Sustainability national priority.
• Evaluation, Storytelling and Advocacy: You will capture and co-create powerful stories and data which showcase the value and impact of our outdoor activity together with colleagues across the charity. Across the breadth of work within the Learning and Engagement Officer role, you will demonstrate commitment to Dynamic Earth’s organisational values of passion, care and inclusion, always acting as a science engagement role model with colleagues, audiences and peers.

Experience and Qualities Required qualifications and experience:

• Educated to undergraduate degree level in a science or related discipline – or lived experience as an alternative to a formal qualification.
• Experience of developing and delivering outdoor science learning and engagement experiences with a range of audiences, including children and young people.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, planning and organisational skills with strong attention to detail.
• A pro-active, enthusiastic and friendly disposition with the ability to build rapport with people quickly.
• An enabling and pro-active attitude and commitment to a culture of continuous improvement.
• A flexible approach which helps deliver results.
• A pro-active and enabling approach to problem solving.
• A reflective practitioner with the ability to reflect both on self and situation.
• Experience of working effectively in a team with shared goals as well as on individual projects.

Desired qualifications and experience:

• Outdoor Learning Postgraduate Qualification or equivalent (e.g. Outdoor Activity Instruction).
• Experience of working in a science centre or museum setting.
• Awareness and experience of implementing sector-wide community best practice.
• Experience of working in partnership with peers and other organisations.

Appointment to the Learning and Engagement Officer position is subject to enhanced pre-employment checks as part of our approach to ensuring Child Protection & Wellbeing, including membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme. Dynamic Earth are committed to creating an inclusive workplace culture where our people feel a sense of belonging and can bring their authentic self to work each day.

To apply, please send a covering letter and accompanying CV (circa 2 pages each) outlining why you are the right candidate for the position to peopleandculture@dynamicearth.org.uk by the deadline of 23:59 on Thursday 30th April 2026. Successful candidates will be invited to an in-person interview at Dynamic Earth scheduled to take place week beginning Monday 11th May. This interview will last around one hour and consist of a presentation task element and a series of questions from the panel, which will help us understand your knowledge, skills and experience in more depth.