Hop Spots Dorset and Surrounds Education Officer

Overview

You will lead the Hop Spots programme delivery across Dorset and nearby areas, coordinating classroom, community, and outdoor activities to reconnect children with nature. You’ll shape an engaging environmental education agenda and practical fieldwork focused on amphibians, reptiles, and conservation skills. Working with schools, volunteers, and local partners, you’ll create meaningful opportunities and pathways into nature-based careers. This role sits at the heart of the regional delivery team, driving impact through collaboration and hands‑on learning.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of the programme across Dorset and surrounding areas
• Develop and run environmental education and engagement activities from classroom to outdoor field sessions
• Organise and deliver Conservation Skills Days to build practical experience
• Collaborate with schools, colleges, universities, community groups, volunteers and local partners
• Build and maintain relationships with delivery partners and local organisations
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams and partners to ensure effective delivery
• Support participants in exploring pathways into nature-related careers
• Engage in training and capacity-building for amphibian and reptile skills (training provided)

Key requirements

• Interest in UK amphibians and reptiles
• Willingness to develop practical ecological skills
• Experience in UK species identification, ecological survey or monitoring is advantageous
• Training in amphibian and reptile survey/ conservation skills will be provided

• Strong communication with schools and diverse groups
• Relationship-building and stakeholder management
• Organisational and planning abilities
• Knowledge of amphibian and reptile habitats
• Ecological survey or monitoring basics (advantage)
• Species identification experience (advantage)

…