Northumberland National Park Authority is committed to preserving and enhancing the natural beauty, wildlife, and cultural heritage of one of the UK's most stunning landscapes. Our National Park spans breathtaking moorland, rolling hills, and ancient woodlands, offering incredible opportunities for exploration, education, and enjoyment.
Position Overview: We are seeking a passionate and dynamic Public Engagement Officer to join our team. The ideal candidate will play a pivotal role in connecting the diverse communities within and beyond Northumberland with the wonders of our National Park. From organising events and workshops to creating engaging educational materials, the Public Engagement Officer will inspire a deeper appreciation and understanding of the park's natural and cultural significance.
With the value of national parks having been highlighted to be more relevant than ever in helping address some of the greatest challenges facing society, from action on climate change and recovering nature and supporting people’s health and well-being, it’s a great time to join our ambitious organisation making a real impact.
* Part time (22.2 hours per week)
* Maternity cover contract
* £33366 - £37,035 per annum pro rata
* Based Bardon Mill, Northumberland
See full job description below.
About you:
* You will have experience of developing and delivering informal learning/ engagement provision in one or more of the following: a heritage/ cultural setting or organisation e.g. Museum, National Trust, Historic England, a Science Learning Centre, a National Park, or other tourist attraction.
* You will have the confidence and knowledge to initiate, develop and deliver exhibitions, displays and other forms of interpretation for informal learning and public engagement purposes.
* You will have the creativity to devise a series of public engagement opportunities, e.g. talks, workshops, demonstrations, guided walks, visitor animation in liaison with colleagues, volunteers and partners.
* Above all, you will be committed to the values of the UK’s national parks and to inspiring others to care about one of our finest landscapes.
If this role sounds like it’s for you, then we really would like to hear from you.
The Park Authority is an inclusive organisation and we welcome applications from everyone irrespective of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion and belief, pregnancy and maternity, relationship status, disability, age and social class. If you are an applicant with disabilities who meets the essential requirements of the post, we will interview you.
For more information, please see our website, Jobs & Volunteering • Northumberland National Park
Job Description
Post:Public Engagement Officer
Grade:Band 5
Responsible to:Head of Engagement
Line Manager for: Activities, Visitor Experience & Informal Learning Producer (Band 4)
Job Purpose:To ensure development and delivery of a high quality, comprehensive public activity and informal learning programme, in collaboration with NNPA colleagues and volunteers, partners and the business community, with specific reference to National Parks Purpose 2.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The following is typical of the duties the postholder will be expected to perform. It is not necessarily exhaustive and other duties of a similar nature and level may be required from time to time.
1. To lead the development and provision of informal learning and public engagement activity programme in line with the Authority’s agreed priorities, corporate objectives and targets and in liaison with colleagues, volunteers, partners and the business community.
2. To drive the development and provision of informal learning and public engagement projects, activities, events and enterprise by business and/ or other third party contributors.
3. To secure income and other resources to ensure effective delivery of public engagement programmes and to meet income generation targets as assigned.
4. To contribute, and lead where directed by Head of Department, in the initiation, development, preparation and delivery of exhibitions, displays and other forms of interpretation for informal learning and public engagement purposes.
5. To devise a series of public engagement opportunities, e.g. talks, workshops, demonstrations, guided walks, visitor animation, linked to the temporary exhibition programme, in liaison with colleagues, volunteers and partners.
6. To research, develop and prepare appropriate materials, documents, resources, and web publications to support public engagement activity as required in collaboration with colleagues, volunteers, partners and the business community.
7. Provision of appropriate reports, attendance at meetings and maintenance of accurate records of service uptake and other relevant data, and to monitor and evaluate all activities carried out using appropriate frameworks.
8. Provision of subject specialist information and general advice in a public engagement context on an authority-wide basis.
9. To act as the lead advocate for informal learning and public engagement activities both within and without the Authority and to identify, initiate, develop and maintain appropriate partnerships with local, regional and national bodies and business in line with the Authority’s agreed priorities and corporate objectives and targets and contribute towards policy development in this area.
10. To maintain and promote a culture of excellence in customer service.
11. Line management of Activities, Visitor Experience & Informal Learning Producer
12. Management of volunteers as appropriate.
13. To be accountable for budgets and income targets as assigned and be responsible for the care of engagement resources.
14. To promote and implement the Authority’s equal opportunities policies in all aspects of employment and service delivery.
15. To assist in maintaining a healthy, safe and secure environment and to act in accordance with the Authority’s H&S Policies and Procedures.
NORTHUMBERLAND NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY
Public Engagement Officer
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
* Degree or equivalent experience in an engagement/ interpretation related discipline
* Previous experience of developing and delivering informal learning/ engagement provision in one or more of the following: a heritage/ cultural setting or organisation e.g. Museum, National Trust, Historic England, a Science Learning Centre, a National Park, or other tourist attraction.
* Demonstrable experience of establishing, developing and maintaining key partnerships and relationships to support work programmes.
* Good awareness of relevant national agendas, research and initiatives in the field of engagement and audience development.
* Experience of initiating and developing projects through national and regional funding mechanisms.
* Ability to manage revenue and project budgets.
* Ability to provide appropriate reports and maintain accurate records of service uptake.
* Ability to monitor and evaluate all activities carried out using appropriate frameworks.
* Ability to work on own initiative and collaboratively with a wide range of partners.
* Ability to manage multiple priorities.
* Ability to think creatively and use problem solving skills.
* Excellent organisational and project management skills.
* Excellent negotiation and advocacy skills including the ability to motivate and influence others to adopt a course of action.
* Experience of supervising volunteers and ability to plan and organise workloads of assigned volunteers.
* Excellent communication skills including written and verbal presentation to wide ranging audiences.
* Excellent customer service skills.
* Ability to travel to sites across the National Park.
* Ability to work a flexible working pattern including working some evenings, weekends and over-night stays away from home.
* Ability to travel to sites in the UK and abroad in order to fulfil the requirements of the post.
* Commitment to Equalities and anti-discriminatory practices.
* Right to work in the UK.
Desirable Criteria
* Experience of working with business and third party providers
* Experience of facilitating professional development training and coaching
* Experience of on-line booking systems
* Experience of working within a National Park
* Knowledge of National Park Purposes