Wonderseekers is looking for an enthusiastic Equity, Community Engagement and Outreach (ECO) Inspirer to help engage children (ages 3-12) with the environment through outdoor learning, sustainability, and ecology. You’ll lead workshops, outdoor activities, and community events, working closely with schools and local groups.

In this dynamic role, you’ll help deliver exciting educational content and ensure inclusivity in all activities. The role involves traveling to schools and events, and you'll also have the chance to work with our Mobile Planetarium. If you're passionate about community engagement, adaptable, and enjoy working with young people, this is a great opportunity to make a real impact while receiving full training and support. A full UK driving license is required. 

The Role

At Wonderseekers, we are passionate about building the community engagement element of our Charity,  and we are looking for an enthusiastic and driven individual to join us in our mission to inspire the next generation. If you have a background or interest in community work and a desire to help children aged 3-12 connect with the world around them, we want to hear from you! 
 
Our focus is on creating exciting, hands-on experiences in outdoor learning, ecology, sustainability, and environmental sciences as well as bringing the other sciences to our communities. But don't worry if you're not an expert in these areas yet – we’re here to help you grow! What we need is someone who is passionate about community engagement, excited by the idea of working with schools and local groups, and eager to be part of a team that’s shaping our growing new initiative. 
 
As an ECO Inspirer, you will be at the heart of our community outreach efforts, working alongside our passionate team to engage children and young people in meaningful ways. Your role will involve collaborating with key partners, stakeholders, and audiences, including schools and local communities. You will have the opportunity to work across a variety of exciting and impactful projects, and full training and support will be provided to help you succeed. 
 
This is a fantastic time to join Wonderseekers as we launch a unique and vital part of our long-term strategy. You’ll play an integral role in delivering our Community Engagement Programme and charitable schools outreach, helping to shape the future of environmental education. You’ll work closely with the ECO Officer and a supportive, friendly team, all while making a tangible, positive difference in the lives of young people. 
 
What will your days look like? You'll dive into a wide range of activities, delivering engaging sessions across different formats, from school workshops to community events. No two days will be the same – one day you might be leading an outdoor adventure, the next you could be developing creative educational content or working closely with external partners. There will be moments when you'll work independently, preparing or delivering activities, and other times when you'll collaborate with colleagues from other departments to ensure everything runs smoothly. 
 
This role requires someone who thrives on variety and excitement! You’ll need to be an excellent communicator, skilled in leading workshops, and adaptable to the ever-changing needs of schools, communities, and young people. Resilience and creativity are key – we want someone who can think on their feet and bring fresh ideas to the table. 
 
At Wonderseekers, our Community Engagement Programme is central to our public outreach, and we are deeply committed to accessibility. We want to make sure that everyone, no matter their background or abilities, can enjoy and benefit from our activities. As the ECO Inspirer, you will be a champion for accessibility, ensuring that every project and activity is designed with inclusivity in mind. You’ll work alongside the wider team to ensure that accessibility is always a priority in everything we do. 
 
If you’re ready to take on an exciting challenge, make a real difference, and be part of a passionate team, we’d love to hear from you. Join us in creating a world where children can learn, grow, and connect with the environment in ways that inspire them for a lifetime.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, test, and deliver fun and interactive activities that spark curiosity and encourage children to become passionate advocates for the planet. Help them see how their actions can make a real difference! 
• Support both off-site and on-site activities at Winchester Science Centre, engaging with a wide range of audiences. Whether you're working independently, as part of the wider team, or with community partners, you'll be at the heart of our outreach efforts.  
• Always be on the lookout for new knowledge! Develop your expertise in community engagement, educational practices, and the school curriculum.  
• Help lead and mentor volunteers and delivery staff, including arts professionals, fellow Inspirers, and researchers. Provide guidance and support to help them shine in their roles and contribute to our mission. 
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with key partners, stakeholders, schools, and local communities. Excellent communication, empathy, and organisational skills will be essential as you collaborate with a wide range of people. 
• Work seamlessly with colleagues across departments, maintaining a culture of teamwork, cooperation, and support. Be a vital part of our tight-knit team where communication and collaboration is key! 
• Assist in gathering valuable feedback and evaluations, ensuring that our programmes and activities meet the needs of our community and our funders. Your insights will help us improve and grow. 
• Lead inspiring activities through various public engagement methods like hands-on workshops, live demonstrations, and in-class sessions, using your creativity and enthusiasm to light up every room you enter. 
• Ensure all activities are fully compliant with necessary paperwork, including risk assessments, COSHH, and safeguarding protocols. Your commitment to safety will ensure a smooth and secure experience for all involved. 
• Expect to travel extensively to connect with our diverse communities. A full, clean driving license is essential, as you'll be using a work van to visit schools, communities, and events. 
• There will be times when you’ll work independently or as the sole representative of the charity at outreach events. During these moments, it’s essential to use your initiative, creativity, and problem-solving skills to adapt to challenges and ensure everything runs smoothly, even when plans change unexpectedly. Confidence in communication is key, as you'll often be the primary point of contact for the charity at these activities. 
• Help deliver shows and films in our incredible Mobile Planetarium (don’t worry, we’ll provide full training – get ready to make the stars come alive!). 
• Take on a variety of tasks within the ECO Inspirer role, including assisting with activities within the Science Centre. The role is dynamic and may involve additional responsibilities as they arise - an amazing opportunity to expand your skill set and make a valuable contribution across other areas of our charity.  
• The post-holder will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check. 

Job details

Hours: 37.5 per week.  
Work pattern: Usually Monday to Friday 9am-5pm (30 minutes unpaid lunch). Wonderseekers operates 7 days a week and therefore flexibility will be required to include regular early morning starts and occassional evening and weekend work.  
Salary:  £25,456 per annum   
Contract: Permanent 
Start date: ASAP 
Line manager: Equity, Community Engagement and Outreach (ECO) Officer  
Holiday: 25 days per annum plus bank holidays. Option to buy/sell some leave and gain additional days for continuous service after four years. The post-holder will not usually be expected to work bank holidays however when duties require, time off in lieu will be available.  
Location: Mainly based in Eastleigh but able to work between both sites - Winchester Science Centre, Winchester, SO21 1HZ and Wonderseekers HQ, Eastleigh, SO50 9DE. Please note that due to the nature of the role, the post-holder will need to hold a valid UK driving license and will be required to travel as a significant part of the role, mostly within Hampshire and surrounding counties.

Application deadline and interviews: The application deadline is Tuesday 29th April at 9am with interviews to take place on or near Thursday 8th May in Eastleigh. We encourage interested candidates to submit their applications promptly, as we may invite suitable applicants for interview before the stated deadline. We therefore reserve the right to close the recruitment process early. 
 
Please contact us if you’d like to arrange an informal chat or have any questions about the role before applying by emailing hr@wonderseekers.charity.

About our Charity

Wonderseekers (the Charity behind Winchester Science Centre) strives to engage all children with science so they can live happier, healthier and more sustainable lives and contribute to improving life on Earth. The Charity runs Winchester Science Centre - a vibrant, hands-on experience for young children. Promising an exciting day out for families, with curriculum-linked trips for schools and an evening events programme, the Science Centre welcomes over 170,000 visitors every year. Through our magnificent planetarium and live science experiences, science is brought to life in imaginative, fun and accessible ways that means everyone is included.

Interview Process:

We look forward to getting to know you through our friendly and welcoming interview process. The interview is likely to include a pre-interview task and questions from our panel. Interview questions will be circulated in advance.

We can’t wait to hear from you! Please contact us if you’d like to arrange an informal chat, or have any questions about the role before applying on hr@wonderseekers.charity.

Ready to apply?

When you are ready to apply, please submit your application through our recruitment portal.

You will be asked to submit your contact details and answer a few questions so we can get to know you. Please keep your responses concise, this is your opportunity to really stand out. After answering these questions, please upload your cover letter and CV.

Need information in a different format or would like to apply in an alternative way? Just get in touch using the email address above or call our office and book a call with HR on 07483 371391.

No recruitment agencies, thank you.