Internship Vacancy

 Internship Vacancy

The Living Rainforest is inviting applications for an unpaid voluntary work placement with the Animal Department. Our internship programme has been running successfully for over four years and we are now offering the vacancy to external candidates.

The Trust for Sustainable Living is a registered charity based near Newbury, Berkshire. At our visitor centre, The Living Rainforest, the animal collection is contained within three tropical glasshouses and consists of more than 60 species. These include callitrichids, dasyproctidae, turacos, snakes, chelonia, stingrays, dendrobatids, and invertebrates.

Role and Responsibilities:

•        The primary role of the intern will be to participate in the daily husbandry and daily routines of the animal department. This includes feeding animals, maintaining enclosures, daily record keeping and animal health checks.

•        As an intern, you will also help with the daily supervision of existing volunteers and participate in the training of new volunteers and work experience students.

•        You will also receive training and be expected to participate in keeper talks and keeper experience days which run through holidays and at weekends. 

•        You will have the opportunity to gain knowledge of the different aspects of the department such as veterinary treatment, enclosure design and record keeping.      

•        Where suitable, there may also be opportunities for research projects to be undertaken.

Terms of placement:

•        This is a six - twelve month voluntary work placement for a registered charity, from November 2018.

•        It is preferred that interns are able to work from 9am to 5.30pm five days a week on a rota basis. This will include some weekends and bank holidays as necessary. 

The applicant

•        Preference will be given to applicants with an Animal related qualification or working towards an Animal related qualification, who want to partake in this voluntary work placement in order to seek further industry experience.

•        Some experience within the zoo industry or with exotics would be desirable but not essential.

•        Applicants should be enthusiastic, hard-working and have a willingness to learn new skills.

•        We recommended that you have your own form of transport to get to and from The Living Rainforest each day as public transport is infrequent in this area.

•        Please note that there is no accommodation available with this position, but some assistance can be given towards moderate travel expenses.

To Apply

The vacancy will remain open until 9th November 2018 unless filled sooner. Interviews will be held as soon as possible after applications are received, on a first come first served basis. To apply for this position please send your CV and cover letter, including a contact telephone number to Paula Rhoads, Human Resources:

Email: finance@livingrainforest.org

Post: The Living Rainforest

Hampstead Norreys

Berkshire

RG18 0TN

www.livingrainforest.org

Peter Dickinson Independent International Zoo Consultant +66 (0)93 0835 862 | elvinhow@gmail.com | Skype: peter.dickinson48

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Tour Guides

Tour Guides

We are looking for enthusiastic individuals to become part-time tour guides at The Living Rainforest, Berkshire. Following training, you will be booked on an hourly basis to guide groups of school children through our glasshouses, introducing them to various rainforest related topics and issues.

The Living Rainforest is a vibrant place which provides learning opportunities and training as well as a friendly, sociable, working atmosphere and flexible hours during term time and school holidays.

Experience working with children or in an educational role is desirable but not essential as training will be given.

Rates of pay: £12.84-£13.93 per tour

Due to our location, all applicants need to be able to drive.

If you are interested please email your CV to Paula Rhoads at finance@livingrainforest.org for further information please call 01635 202444 ext 201

Closing Date 21 September 2018

Peter Dickinson Independent International Zoo Consultant +971 50 4787 122 | elvinhow@gmail.com | Skype: peter.dickinson48

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Education Development Officer

Education Development Officer

JOB TITLE: Education Development Officer

BASED: At The Living Rainforest centre in near Newbury in Berkshire

TERMS: Fix term contract initially for two years, 40 hours per week, 28 including Public Holidays. Also requires regular Duty Manager duties which involves working one weekend in four.

REPORTING TO: The Operations Manager

RESPONSIBLE FOR: 1 Assistant Education Officer, Educational Intern, Staff and Education volunteers

LIAISON WITH: Zoological Staff, Horticultural Staff, Senior Managers, Schools, and relevant contractors

JOB PURPOSE: To manage the Living Rainforest education and community programme, under the direction of the Operations Manager and assist in the further development of the Trust for Sustainable Living Education platform.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES:

1. Manage a small dynamic team of Educational Tour Guides, Education Administrators  and volunteers, plus casual outreach tutors and Informal Education contractors (when required)

2. Ensure that the planning, development and delivery of our environmental and sustainability education sessions to schools, community events, special projects and learning resources are of the highest standard

3. Develop new cross curricular sessions, to include arts, culture and wellbeing, with the support of the team

4. Build strong, long term and productive relationships with schools and education sector organisations.

5. Ensure that the educational offering is continually developed to meet current curriculum requirements in the full range of subjects and to continue to develop and upgrade the existing courses and tours with the production of exciting, innovative material

6. With the support of the Education team, continue to plan and develop creative, engaging learning sessions related to environmental and sustainability education.

MANAGEMENT

• Line manage a small team (1 Assistant Education Officer, 12 Tour Guides, 1 Education Intern and 4 volunteers). Responsible for completion of monthly staff rotas and ensuring individual workloads, objectives and training needs are met
• Recruitment of new Tour Guides and the coordination of casual outreach tutors along with  overseeing informal education contractors 
• Manage programme resources, ensuring educational equipment is maintained and/or replaced when necessary
• Work with the Operations Manager to ensure that all education related policies and procedures are up to date, taking the role of Designated Safeguarding Officer for the organisation
• Produce all education-related Risk Assessments with the support of the Operations Manager
• Keep departmental expenditure records up to date in line with the annual budget
• Oversee schools bookings ensuring a high standard of communication throughout
• Work with the Operations Manager on marketing plans to engage existing and new audiences
• Keep up to date with developments or changes to the relevant National and International Curricula and plan any programme amendments accordingly
• Carry out guided tours and additional presentations or workshops when required
•  

Planning, delivery and evaluation

• Develop and deliver sessions with a focus on Key Stages 1,2 and 3 of The National Curriculum.
• Develop further our work in secondary and tertiary education, as well as vocational learning.
• Work with the Operations Manager and other Senior Managers to explore new initiatives to help diversify the programme and help generate income
• Ensure feedback from visitors is captured and lessons are learned for future development

Other

Work with the Operations Manager to strengthen partnerships and develop new opportunities to enhance our programme and engage new audiences

Promote the highest professional standards, harmonious working relationships and the Centre’s vision and values

Represent the Living Rainforest & Trust for Sustainable Living at occasional meetings with other education providers across the Zoo, Botanic Garden, Science Centre and Eco-Attraction Communities

Actively engage in any other Living Rainforest & Trust for Sustainable Living activities as the need arises!

Specifications

Ideally suited to an environment and sustainability educationalist with a few years experience looking to take their next career step, or an enthusiastic and motivated graduate who is able to demonstrate the desired transferrable skills from their studies and previous roles.

Relevant Degree level qualification in an environmental, science or sustainability subject (e.g. Natural Sciences, Ecology, Zoology, Biology, Environmental Systems and Societies etc.)

Essential Requirements

• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a team
• Strong planning and management skills able to organise, manage and motivate the education team
• Ability to communicate effectively with professional colleagues, teachers and children
• Ability to work on several projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines
• A self-motivated approach to work and a willingness to initiate new projects
• Desire to learn and develop a career in environmental and sustainability education and be able to work unsupervised
• Good understanding of natural history, conservation, ecology and sustainability
• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends (on a one in 4 rota system) as part of the Duty Management team
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a confident and professional  manner

Desirable requirements

• Teaching qualifications not essential but helpful 
• Some classroom-based experience or tour guiding in a museum or similar institution helpful but not essential
• Some experience of staff management or supervision.
• Excellent numeracy skills, computer literate with good operational knowledge of Microsoft Office package; familiar with IT technology
•  Understanding of Health and Safety issues and prepared to do first aid training.
• Passionate about engaging children and adults about the environment and sustainable practices
• Experience of working for a charitable institution helpful
• Self-motivated, high-energy and pro-active with a ‘can do’ attitude
• DBS check, Safeguarding and First Aid

Please send a cover letter and CV Human Resources.

Email: finance@livingrainforest.org

Peter Dickinson Independent International Zoo Consultant +971 50 4787 122 | elvinhow@gmail.com | Skype: peter.dickinson48

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Education Intern

Education Intern

Full time

Fixed Term Contract – 6 months initially with the option to extend to 1 year after review

Voluntary with expenses

If you have an interest in conservation, sustainability, education and rainforests, The Living Rainforest provides an excellent opportunity to make a real difference.

Founded in 1993, The Living Rainforest provides a real rainforest experience for visitors to explore unique habitats. The sensory experience allows people to connect with complex rainforest eco-systems by exploring over 650 species of plants and animals.

We currently are recruiting for an outgoing, creative and motivated individual to take on the role of Education Intern. Working within our highly successful education and school visits programme, you will gain valuable experience in environmental and zoo education. You will be provided with a full training schedule for your time at the Rainforest.

Responsibilities/Role Duties:

The role will include but is not limited to:

Assisting the Education team in bookings, project development and creation of holiday activities and displays.

Delivering curriculum led guided tours, meeting and greeting schools and maintenance of education areas along with assisting other departments if required.

Key Skills and Requirements

The successful applicant will be educated to degree (or equivalent) level in a relevant subject. They will have excellent organisation skills with ability to work on multiple projects at once; they will also have strong inter-personal skills as they will be working with a wide range of age groups.

Previous experience of working with children and young people is ideal but not essential as full training will be provided. Some knowledge of the National Curriculum will also be useful.

Please apply by sending your CV and a covering letter to finance@livingrainforest.org 

Peter Dickinson Independent International Zoo Consultant +971 50 4787 122 | elvinhow@gmail.com | Skype: peter.dickinson48

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Zoological Curator

Zoological Curator                                                                                            

The Living Rainforest and the Trust for Sustainable Living are Co-Authors in a vision that combines 3 glasshouses providing a unique, sensory and immersive experience creating wonder and curiosity about the environment and life sciences with a mission to inspire the next generation to reach out to a sustainable future though imagination and leadership. Our Educational charity ensures that we are a highly sought after centre for schools right across the South of England and our Zoological team provide the canvass on which we all work

The Living Rainforest Centre has a highly talented, knowledgeable and enthusiastic zoological team who maintain the animal collection and constantly review the collections management, standards and practices. Equally importantly they develop our collection to offer a unique blend of taxa diversity and an authentic rainforest feel to ensure our visitors have an inspiring visit.

This is a great opportunity to work with a wide variety of species from Mammals, Reptiles and Amphibians to Fish and Invertebrates. This is a perfect first step for a senior keeper to gain curatorial experience.

The Role

As Curator you will lead a dedicated and enthusiastic team

• ·        to ensure the highest standards of animal husbandry, welfare and exhibit
• ·        Overseeing budgets and developing conservation projects in keeping with the ethos of the organisation
• ·        Oversee department staff and volunteer development, training and evaluation both in animal management and customer service
• ·        Develop public engagement
• ·        Set and implement protocols to allow safe and legal functioning of the department and maintain welfare standards.
• ·        Implement all developing zoo and other relative legislation (including Zoo license, CITES, BALAI, Article 30 and 10, records and more)
• ·        The team is small so this is a hands-on role which is both fulfilling and challenging

The successful candidate will have

·        Relevant degree and preferably, a higher degree

·        5 years (ever increasing responsibility) within a zoo environment

·        Senior keeper status with managerial experience

·        Experience of a diversity of taxa, husbandry and management of animal exhibits and facilities within a themed environment

·        Strong leadership skills and the ability to build strong working relationships across teams

To apply

Please send current CV and covering letter to:

Paula Rhoads

Living Rainforest

Hampstead Norreys

RG18 0TN

Or: Finance@livingrainforest.org

Peter Dickinson Independent International Zoo Consultant +971 50 4787 122 | elvinhow@gmail.com | Skype: peter.dickinson48

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Animal Curator

Animal Curator 

                                                                       

The Living Rainforest and the Trust for Sustainable Living are Co-Authors in a vision that combines 3 glasshouses providing a unique, sensory and immersive experience creating wonder and curiosity about the environment and life sciences with a mission to inspire the next generation to reach out to a sustainable future though imagination and leadership. Our Educational charity ensures that we are a highly sought after centre for schools right across the South of England and our Zoological team provide the canvass on which we all work

The Living Rainforest Centre has a highly talented, knowledgeable and enthusiastic zoological team who maintain the animal collection and constantly review the collections management, standards and practices. Equally importantly they develop our collection to offer a unique blend of taxa diversity and an authentic rainforest feel to ensure our visitors have an inspiring visit.

This is a great opportunity to work with a wide variety of species from Mammals, Reptiles and Amphibians to Fish and Invertebrates.

The Role

As Curator you will lead a dedicated and enthusiastic team

•        to ensure the highest standards of animal husbandry, welfare and exhibit

•        Overseeing budgets and developing conservation projects in keeping with the ethos of the organisation

•        Oversee department staff and volunteer development, training and evaluation both in animal management and customer service

•        Develop public engagement

•        Set and implement protocols to allow safe and legal functioning of the department and maintain welfare standards.

•        Implement all developing zoo and other relative legislation (including Zoo license, CITES, BALAI, Article 30 and 10, records and more)

•        The team is small so this is a hands-on role which is both fulfilling and challenging

The successful candidate will have

•        Relevant degree and preferably, a higher degree

•        5 to 6 years (ever increasing responsibility) within a zoo environment

•        Senior keep status with managerial experience within a range of zoological collections

•        Experience of a diversity of taxa, husbandry and management of animal exhibits and facilities within a themed environment

•        Strong leadership skills and the ability to build strong working relationships across teams

To apply

Please send current CV and covering letter to:

Paula Rhoads

Living Rainforest

Hampstead Norreys

RG18 0TN

Or: Finance@livingrainforest.org

Peter Dickinson Independent International Zoo Consultant +971 50 4787 122 | elvinhow@gmail.com | Skype: peter.dickinson48

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