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Widening Participation Officer - Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium

19 Jul 2019 6:16 PM | Anonymous
  • Line Manager:            Director of STEM Strategy

    Holiday:                       20 days per annum plus bank holidays

    Working times:           37.5 hours per week. These will normally be the hours of 08:30 – 16:30 with a lunch break of 0.5 hr per day.

    Salary:                         £19,380 - £21,420 per annum, depending on experience

    Contract length:         Fixed-term until 1 May 2020

    Deadline:                     Tuesday 13 August 2019 09:00

    Interviews:                  w/c 19 August 2019 

    1. The Role

    Winchester Science Centre is run by an educational charity, with a mission to 'build science capital for all'. Our aim is to spark curiosity about science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). We encourage all young people from all backgrounds to have the aspiration, knowledge and skills to progress into STEM-related careers, creating a better equipped and informed society. 

    Launching in 2019, a major new project will transform Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium into a national beacon for accessibility in STEM, creating an organisation that will be the benchmark science centre for working with visitors of all ability and showing how STEM can help improve the lives of everyone.

    Seven priority areas have been identified, with an initial focus on the Isle of Wight. In 2019 we plan to deliver the Noel Turner Physics Festival, with the intention to grow our presence on the island to reach families, schools and communities throughout the following year.

    1. Job Description

    Purpose of the job:

    Widening participation is central to the mission of Winchester Science Centre. This is a key role in the Widening Participation team, helping to meet our strategic aims by delivering our outreach programme in schools, organising community events and working with the Curiosity team to ensure the internal offer is fully accessible. The successful candidate will be an advocate for accessibility and will work closely with the wider Curiosity team to ensure a joined up approach between our in-house schools and public offer and widening participation events.

    Duties of the post:

  • ·         Be the driving force to deliver an outstanding Noel Turner Science Festival on the Isle of Wight (February 2020) with the support and direction of the steering group. This duty includes logistical organisation, transport organisation and scheduling, school liaison and scheduling, exhibitor booking and all operational aspects.
  • ·         Deliver exemplary workshops to priority/SEN schools visiting the Science Centre, deliver inspiring outreach in priority/SEN schools and support the Curiosity team in delivery of workshops on an ad hoc basis.
  • ·         Plan and deliver inspirational community engagement events such as ‘pop up science centres’ in shopping centres and at local events.
  • ·         Produce exceptional accessible educational materials to support delivery across all teams.
  • ·         Contribute to evaluation and monitoring of all WP activities.
  • ·         Liaise with schools and community organisations about accessibility and widening participation at Winchester Science Centre.
  • ·         Develop and maintain supportive and effective relationships with priority schools and community organisations.
  • ·         Work with and support all teams to ensure accessibility is a priority across the organisation.
  • ·         Schedule and support motivating staff training sessions about accessibility and disability confidence.
  • ·         Support the Head of Widening Participation and Director of STEM Strategy in ensuring new exhibits, shows and content are accessible to all. 
  • ·         Any other duties as assigned by the Head of Widening Participation and Director of STEM Strategy.

Special Circumstances

There will be occasional work, meetings and events in evenings, early mornings and at weekends which will be compensated by time off in lieu. Additional overtime would be arranged only with agreement of both the employee and line manager. Occasional travel will be required.


  1. Person Specification:

Essential requirements

It is essential that you have the following attributes

Knowledge and experience

  • Experience and proven ability of delivering educational content to young people.
  • Experience and proven ability of organising events.
  • Interest in and knowledge of current issues in the HE sector and STEM industry.
  • Experience and proven ability of working with SEND communities.
  • Experience and proven ability of working with community organisations.

Behaviours and characteristics

  • Willingness and ability to spend periods away from home and to work evening and weekends.
  • Willingness and ability to travel across the UK (driving licence essential).

Skills

  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Excellent written and oral presentation skills.
  • Excellent organisational skills.
  • Ability to work on own initiative and to deadlines.
  • Ability to work as part of a team.
  • Flexibility and adaptability.

Desirable requirements

The following specifications are desirable but non-essential

Knowledge and experience

  • Established relationships with community organisations and schools in priority areas, particularly the Isle of Wight.

Education and qualifications

  • Degree or equivalent level qualification in a STEM subject.
  • Qualifications in supporting people with disabilities, illnesses or impairments e.g. British Sign Language, Makaton

  1. Application process

Please send a cover letter, clearly stating how your qualifications and experience match those required, along with an application form available from www.winchestersciencecentre.org/vacancies tolauraollis@winchestersciencecentre.org.

All applications must be received by Tuesday 13 August 09:00. Interviews will take place the following week. We look forward to receiving your application.

If you wish to discuss the role in more detail prior to submitting an application, please contact Emma Diserens by emailing emmadiserens@winchestersciencecentre.org

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