Job Description – LEAD EDUCATOR at Matuku Link – apply now!
Matuku Link is a 37 hectare bush and wetland area in Te Henga (Bethells), West Auckland. The land has been bought by the Matuku Reserve Trust in November 2016 after a seven-month period of intense fundraising for the required 2 million dollars. Its location is vital: it physically links the predator controlled areas of Ark in the Park, Matuku Reserve, Habitat te Henga and Forest Ridge.
We aim to restore the mauri of our bush and wetland. We do this by protection and enhancing biodiversity (predator control), restoration (growing and planting) and education (raising awareness of the importance of our native environment with all our visitors – business groups, volunteers, schools and others), all with a focus on wetland ecosystems.
The house on the property serves as a base for the resident caretakers. The current old barn has been transformed into our temporary Sustainable Wetland Education Centre. You will report to the project manager of Matuku Link, the other part-time paid position who also looks after the regular groups, monthly working bees and weekly nursery workshops.
You will be our LEAD EDUCATOR, in charge of inspiring the kaitiaki of the future – Year 5, 6, 7 school students from our local schools, delivering our Matuku Link Wetland Education Program. This program has been designed by Brian Ireland and Hohepa Waenga specifically for Matuku Link, focussing on hands-on education for wetland and water quality/monitoring – one full day per school class of 20 – 30 children. Our trained volunteer educators will assist in the delivery of the programme. The students will learn to use binoculars, identify bird calls, read bird bands and gather water quality data from different streams/ponds/rivers based on SHMAK (temperature, invertebrates, clarity etc) to compare. Our program is based on science and incorporates a Mataurangi Maori approach.
Lesson plans are available on request. We are looking to expand the programme to include all ages as well as holiday programs in the future, however this role is currently for primary school children years 5, 6, 7 only.
Qualifications & Skills needed:
A relevant degree in a biological or environmental science or education, or relevant levels of knowledge obtained by experience. You will need to have:
- great interpersonal skills to relate to people of all ages
- enthusiasm for environmental conservation and the ability to pass it on to primary school students
- respect for and interest in kaitiakitanga and the Maori world view on conservation
- ability to delegate and work with to volunteers
- good organisational and time management skills
- the ability to work well in a team but also on your own
- a full driving and clean licence is necessary as there is no public transport to Matuku Link
- A first aid certification is beneficial
We offer:
- A fixed term role for 3 years
- Start date on or before 24th July
- a part-time position within school hours and terms – ideal if you have to drop off or pick up your own. At the moment it is as and when school visits have been scheduled, on average 16 hours per week.
- the possibility of increased hours if the candidate is interested in extending the program into school holidays and/or delivering it to other age groups.
- This position as either an employee or as a contractor.
Work experience:
The ideal candidate will have relevant work experience which should ideally include both environmental/conservation work and educational/community-based educational experience. A teaching certificate is optional but may be useful.
More info:
Contact the project manager, Annalily van den Broeke, on 0212207136 or schools@matukulink.org.nz and look on the website www.matuklink.org.nz
Apply now – deadline 10thof July – fill in the form here.
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