Are you looking for a varied, interesting and diverse role? Would you like to play a pivotal role in a proven sustainability kaupapa? Are you passionate about learning and education?
Enviroschools is an innovative and holistic programme that is well-established in the Gisborne region. This Community Facilitator role is working with schools and early childhood centres in the Enviroschools Tairāwhiti network.
This role involves guiding, motivating, and advising schools on their journey towards creating a sustainable, resilient and thriving school community. As part of the journey tamariki/students connect with and explore the environment, then plan, design and take action in their local places in collaboration with their communities. Enviroschools Facilitators support teachers, wider school staff and students with environmental learning and action. A key part of the role is supporting individual schools to make strong connections with each other and their wider community.
An Enviroschools Community Facilitator contributes to the Enviroschools network at a range of levels:
• Personal Practice
• Local Network
• Individual Schools
• Regional Network
• National Network
Personal Practice includes:
- Working professionally and with creativity and enthusiasm.
- Taking time to explore the Enviroschools kaupapa and suite of resources and use them to underpin mahi.
- Reflecting on your own practice and taking opportunities to learn from others.
Individual schools includes:
- Building supportive individual and/or cluster relationships with local school communities.
- Supporting schools to access and explore the Enviroschools kaupapa and resources as they develop a whole school approach to sustainability.
- Supporting teacher planning to integrate EEfS learning and action into all areas of school life.
- Providing opportunities for holistic reflection on an on-going journey.
- Support schools and centres to share their mahi with others. Maintain an up-to-date picture of what is happening in the schools you are responsible for.
Local network includes:
- Supporting and inspiring the local network of Enviroschools in the areas covered by this role.
- Providing/contributing to opportunities for participating school communities to learn, share and take action together locally according to their own goals.
- Working in a way that honours tangata whenua.
- Collaborating with key providers/agencies to progress environmental education outcomes.
- Linking schools with local community projects, places and people that make a positive contribution to their sustainability journey.
Regional network includes:
- Engaging with the wider regional network across Tairāwhiti and contributing to a collaborative regional approach.
- Participating in team planning and development.
- Maintaining regular open and timely communication and feedback with the Enviroschools Regional Coordinator.
- Sharing experiences with other members of the regional team and developing peer support relationships with other facilitators.
National Network includes:
Contributing to a well-functioning national network. Participate in national, inter-regional and regional Enviroschools Professional Development and networking opportunities. Model and uphold the Enviroschools kaupapa.
The Person:
Critical to this role is a commitment to the environment and sustainability, and an interest in working in bringing about change in communities. We are seeking someone who has the following experience and qualities:
- A personal connection with the kaupapa of Enviroschools and a commitment to sustainable living.
- Appreciation of Te Ao Māori and the contribution Māori perspectives and wisdoms bring to sustainability.
- Good te reo Māori pronunciation.
- Experience with a holistic approach to Environmental Education for Sustainability, including knowledge and understanding of the key concepts of EEfS, experience of action-learning and student empowerment.
- Familiarity with school systems including knowledge of the New Zealand Curriculum.
- Ability to offer practical support to schools on their sustainability journey. Teaching qualifications and experience in NZ schools is a bonus.
- An inclusive style of working that brings people together and is empowering. This includes the ability to make connections and build relationships in the local community.
- Confidence facilitating both adults and students through a process of change.
- Self-motivated and comfortable working both independently and as part of a wider team.
- Excellent organisational skills, including event management, administration and computer skills. Excellent written skills.
- A creative thinker and a reflective role model, learning and assessing their own practice and open to possibilities.
- Current Class 1 drivers license.
You may be required to work outside normal hours of work on occasion. You may also be required to occasionally work away from home.
The Enviroschools team in Tairāwhiti is managed by Charlotte Phelps, Enviroschools Regional Coordinator at Gisborne District Council. For questions about this role contact her on charlotte.phelps@gdc.govt.nz or 027 28 00011. See info on Current vacancies | Gisborne District Council (gdc.govt.nz)
If this role is of interest to you and you meet the above qualities and requirements please apply via email to charlotte.phelps@gdc.govt.nz. Attach your CV and include a cover letter outlining why you would like to work for Enviroschools and what you bring to this role.
Applications close noon Friday 25th of March 2022
It is important for applicants to know that Gisborne District Council has a Vaccination Policy that requires all employees of Gisborne District Council to be fully vaccinated for Covid-19. This policy is inherent to ensuring the health and safety of our staff, customers and community. As such, please note this role will need to be completed by a fully vaccinated individual.
This position is located in Gisborne.