Education Officer

About the organisation

Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) is a marine conservation charity based on the Isle of Mull.

About the role

This role is responsible for the development and delivery of HWDT’s new education project, Hebridean Marine Explorers – Connecting Scotland’s seas and communities. This project will enthuse young people and local communities about their local sea and amazing marine life through unique boat-based education experiences and innovative co-design education approaches. The project will work with schools to develop local solutions to local pressures and champion a collaborative approach to protection and enhancement of the marine wildlife and seas of the west coast of Scotland.

The Education Officer will develop and deliver a 12-week co-design project with schools resulting in a community exhibition, and a programme of digital school workshops. The Education Officer will also deliver boat-based educational activities including floating classroom workshops, marine mammal research expeditions for young people, and community open boat events. They will coordinate the project delivery and ensure all communication, evaluation, and reporting requirements are fulfilled.

This post has been generously funded by the Scottish Power Foundation.

Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Engage with schools to develop and deliver a 12-week curriculum linked co-design project investigating local pressures on the marine environment.
2. Organise and deliver an end of project, student-led exhibition for the community to share the results of the education project.
3. Develop partnerships, and communicate effectively, with schools and local groups to support the successful delivery of the co-design education project.
4. Engage with schools to develop and deliver curriculum linked activities and outdoor education, including floating classrooms onboard HWDT’s research vessel Silurian.
5. Expand HWDT’s online education programme to reach a wider audience and support teachers and home educators to deliver quality marine education, linked to cetaceans and the Hebrides.
6. Connect, and develop partnerships, with youth groups, organisations, and charities, to deliver fully funded 3-day research expeditions for young people onboard HWDT’s research vessel, Silurian.
7. Supervise and train young people to carry out marine mammal surveys during residential research expeditions onboard Silurian.
8. Ensure that data collected during youth research expeditions is accurately recorded and correctly stored and is backed up following each expedition.
9. Manage, support, and work collaboratively with our long-standing education volunteers to deliver project activities.
10. Work with the Communications Manager to publicise and promote HWDT’s education work to external audiences through news blogs, social media and press.
11. Work with programme funders, partners and stakeholders to deliver all outputs and requirements of funding.
12. Support the preparation of grant applications for new and expanded education projects.
13. Monitor the delivery of key targets and the impact of the project to support evaluation and development.
14. Produce progress and end of project reports for funders and maintain an open and honest dialogue about the progress of the project as and when necessary.
15. Manage the project expenditure and income budgets regularly, reporting to the Finance Officer and funder.
16. Ensure that all activities are carried out in a manner which safeguards the health, safety and welfare of all staff, volunteers, and participants.
17. Assist with administration and operational tasks essential to the running of the charity under the direction of other members of staff.
18. Represent the Trust in a positive way at all times.

Requirements

Essential:

• Degree/vocational equivalent, in an educational, scientific or environmental discipline.
• Medical certificate (i.e. ML5).
• Full and clean UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience teaching or delivering educational activities and training to young people.
• Developing curriculum linked educational sessions, content and resources for young people.
• Experience working with school pupils and teachers.
• Surveying and identifying cetacean species in the north-east Atlantic.
• Marketing and promoting projects and events, using online platforms including social media.
• Project management.
• Knowledge of co-design and its implementation within a school environment.
• Proven understanding of the Curriculum for Excellence.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team.
• Collaboration with others and partnership working.
• Report writing and budget management.
• Excellent time management with the ability to manage and prioritise workload.
• High level of computer literacy.
• Confident, self-motivated, highly organised, self-reliant, with the ability to problem solve.
• Strong motivation and enthusiasm for the post.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends, with regular time away from home.
• Comfortable living and working on a boat, in all weather conditions, and in a shared cabin for extended periods of time (7-10 days).

Desirable:

• Teaching qualification.
• First Aid at Work qualification.
• First Aid for Youth Mental Health training.
• Safeguarding training.
• Working for an environmental NGO or small charity.
• Volunteer management.
• Cetacean surveys including visual, acoustic, and photo-ID fieldwork.
• Sailing or boating experience (formal qualifications are not necessary).
• Media work, including radio and TV interviews.
• Previously led a grant funded project.
• Firm understanding of child protection practices.
• Familiarity with the Scottish west coast islands, marine environment and wildlife.
• Knowledge of nature conservation legislation/issues.
• Based on the Isle of Mull or enthusiastic about living and working in our island community.

The successful applicant will be required to provide evidence of their right to work in the UK. The successful applicant will be required to join the PVG scheme, or undergo a PVG update check and the satisfactory outcome of the check is a condition of employment by HWDT for thi post. HWDT will meet the cost of the above.

For further information on the PVG Scheme please refer to the Disclosure Scotland information at https://www.mygov.scot/organisations/disclosure-scotland/.

Salary and benefits

£26,641 per annum.

Hours of work: 1 year fixed-term contract to 6th July 2026, 37 hour per week. Flexible hours to include evening, weekend and bank holiday working as required, time off in lieu is given.

Annual leave: Annual holiday entitlement is 34 days pro-rata (inclusive of public holidays).

Pension: You will be automatically enrolled in HWDT’s work-placed pension scheme, with the option to opt out.

Place of Work: HWDT is based on the Isle of Mull, and the Education Officer can work from its offices in Tobermory and remotely from home as required to deliver the objectives of this role. The role will require regular travel and some overnight stays in Argyll and Bute, Western Isles, Highlands and Islands.

This role includes working on HWDT’s 60ft motor sailor, Silurian. This involves living onboard with three other crew members and six volunteers at close quarters for up to 12 days at a time.

Probationary period and training: The position is subject to satisfactory performance during the initial three-month probationary period, after which regular supervision and support is provided.

Start date

7th July 2025.

How to apply

Send a CV and a Covering Letter describing your skills and experience relevant to the role, and two references to: Sadie Gorvett at sadie.gorvett@hwdt.org with ‘Education Officer  Application’ in the subject line.

Closing date for applications:9am Monday 5 May. Interviews will take place on Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 May.