Learning Officer

This role sits within the Learning team, which is part of the Community & Learning Department. As a Learning Officer you would be part of the team responsible for supporting the school groups we engage with, ensuring they have positive learning experiences. This will primarily involve delivering and supporting activities for school audiences, developing new activities and resources where required, and working with colleagues across London Zoo to maximise the learning experience., 1. Delivering and supporting educational activities to school groups to help ensure they have positive learning experiences during their time with us, supporting the development of new activities where required.

2. Facilitating school group visits to the zoo, including supporting teachers and students throughout their time at the zoo, supporting and coordinating volunteers, assisting teachers to plan their time at the zoo and working collaboratively with colleagues across Whipsnade Zoo to maximise the visitor experience for educational groups.

3. Developing, maintaining and reviewing resources and activities that support educational visits and events.

4. Supporting Senior Learning Officers and other colleagues where required on development projects related to school audiences and career courses.

5. Working to improve the experience for schools and other educational groups engaging with us, including through reflective practice, evaluation and meetings.

Essential Experiences

• Experience delivering learning programmes in either a formal or informal setting.



• Experience working with young people of a variety of ages and abilities.



• Experience in delivering presentations/talks/events to a range of different audiences.


Essential Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of current environmental issues and sustainable actions that can be promoted to mitigate environmental impact.



• Understanding of different pedagogical approaches that can be applied to maximise learning.



• Ability to ascertain the needs of an audience and adapt the engagement strategies used to deliver an activity accordingly.



• Ability to learn several different educational activities, such as workshops and tours, within a strict time limit. Training will be provided but the post holder would be expected to take responsibility for their own knowledge development



• Strong facilitation and verbal communication skills


This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including the candidate's right to work in the UK. As the post involves working with children an enhanced DBS check will be required.

We're ZSL, an international conservation charity. Through our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos (London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo), the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists, our purpose is to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals going extinct. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we're working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction.


• The position is 30 hours per week, Bedfordshire term time only


• Additional hours may be possible during the course of the contract


• Ideal contract start date: September 2024. Contract ends: August 2025


• Due to the nature of the role this will be a site based position


• We would like to work with the ideal candidate to find a working pattern which fit both ZSL and the Candidate but core hours required for teaching are 9.30 am - 2.30 pm, At ZSL, we are proud of our approach to employee benefits. Our benefits include:


• Our vision and purpose - you'll work alongside colleagues who are passionate about science-led conservation, knowing that you will help us to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wildlife going extinct


• Pension scheme - we offer a generous pension scheme with up to 12% contributory pension


• Flexible working - talk to us about your flexible working requirements and we will do everything we can to make sure you work in a way that suits you


• Holidays - 25 days annual leave allowance, plus UK bank holidays Wellbeing - access to a blended programme of wellbeing initiatives, including confidential access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme


• Life assurance - eligible employees will be enrolled in ZSL's life assurance scheme from their first day


• Complimentary tickets - annual allocation of Whipsnade Zoo and London Zoo tickets, with a 30% discount in online and retail shops


• Cycle2Work - our cycle to work scheme enables you to lease a bicycle


• Season ticket loan - we offer an interest free loan for eligibly London-based employees to buy a season ticket for travel between home and work


• Family friendly policies - we offer enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption packages


NB: We reserve the right to close our advertisement early or extend the advertising date until a suitable candidate has been found.