Overview

The Fieldwork Manager plays a critical role in ensuring the reliable and efficient delivery of our activities against the various requirements of our participants, clients, funders and other stakeholders. In addition, it is the Fieldwork Manager’s role to maintain the highest possible standards for the delivery of our outdoor activities and contribute to the on-going growth of our reputation as a leading provider of environmental education activities. You will also be an enthusiastic champion for the importance of environmental education as well as the positive health and well-being impacts associated with spending time in the natural world.

The Fieldwork Manager will not only be an inspiring outdoor instructor and mentor, but will also bring the managerial and business expertise required to develop, oversee and coordinate the wide variety of exciting outdoor activities Wild Things offers. This is a fantastic opportunity to join Wild Things as it moves into an exciting new phase in its development. The Fieldwork Manager will have the chance to shape the organisation in meaningful ways, working in partnership with the CEO to develop and deliver services to meet the needs of a wide range of charitable and business objectives.

Whilst the Fieldwork Manager will invariably be delivering activities in the field and hold high standards in this regard, their primary responsibility will be management and development of the team and Wild Things activities. It is anticipated that this will likely result in roughly a 70/30 split between office-based and outdoor work, with the greater focus being on management, businesses development and coordination.

Key roles and responsibilities:

  • To manage Wild Things programmes which includes overseeing the safety and logistics of all activities.
  • Provide management, mentorship and support to the fieldwork team, freelancers and volunteers, including identifying and organising training opportunities.
  • To deliver Wild Things activities including accredited training courses.
  • To develop new training services and, in particular, the development of our new E-learning services.
  • Working with the Chief Executive Officer on marketing Wild Things programmes and income generation activities, where necessary i.e. engaging with potential clients, CPD days, developing tourism offerings, increasing numbers on our activities and bringing in new clients.
  • Monitoring and ensuring all safety aspects of our programmes are in place and regular safety checks are carried out, including, for example, drafting and continuously seeking to improve risk assessments, safety policies and procedures and ensuring fieldwork staff are PVG registered.
  • Supporting the Chief Executive Officer and the rest of the staff/volunteer team in seeking ways of continuously develop and update our programmes to meet our charitable objectives.
  • With support from office staff, overseeing booking process of these programmes, booking staff, liaising and networking with schools, youth groups, the local education authority (LEA), community groups.
  • Ensuring all necessary back-office administration tasks for the programmes are carried out [with support of office staff] including, for example, all correct documents are received and processed e.g. booking forms, medical, photo and landowner permissions are logged.
  • From time to time being available to work flexible hours such as the occasional evening or weekend on field activities as and when required.
  • Carrying out any other duties as and when required in support of Wild Things goals and objectives.

Person specification

  • Proven experience and relevant certification in leading environmental education based activities or able to demonstrate valuable relevant experience within environmental/outdoor activities (including bushcraft and conservation).
  • Highly organised and able to coordinate a wide variety of parallel programmes.
  • Demonstrable experience of providing management, mentorship and support to a team, ideally in the field of outdoor pursuits, education and/or other relevant outdoor activities.
  • Ability to channel a personal interest and passion about the environment and the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults (including older people) into impactful services.
  • Experience of working in an office environment, project management and activities requiring both logistical planning and post-delivery reporting.
  • Entrepreneurial: able to recognise and develop business opportunities – for example tourism, accredited training and CSR services.
  • Excellent communication and people skills.
  • A calm and practical approach to problem solving.
  • Enjoys being a team player.
  • Have a good sense of humour and the ability motivate colleagues.
  • Have a committed and flexible approach to the needs of the job.
  • Be empathic and understanding of conservation and wilderness restoration work whilst being open to learning and developing in the role.
  • Have a love of the great outdoors (even if it is raining and cold!).

Qualifications & training

Essential

  • Woodland Activity Leader Training, Forest School level 3 or equivalent experience
  • First Aid certification (16hr Outdoors)
  • UK Driving licence

Desirable

  • Minibus D1 Licence (training can be provided)
  • Bushcraft training and/or demonstrable experience
  • Experience in educational contexts (primary and/or secondary)
  • Mountain Leader (Summer and/or Winter)
  • Other outdoor pursuits certifications such as for kayaking, water sports, climbing etc