Assistant Engagement Officer (Steart: Connecting Coastal Communities)
| Posting date: | 14 August 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £14,636 per year |
| Hours: | Part time |
| Closing date: | 08 September 2025 |
| Location: | Steart, Bridgwater |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 1 day per week |
| Company: | Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust |
| Job type: | Temporary |
| Job reference: | 578 |
Summary
About The Role
This role provides an exciting opportunity to work as part of the team at WWT Steart Marshes, one of the largest wetland creation schemes in the UK. Overseeing the management of a 2-year NHLF project; Connecting Coastal Communities. A predominantly engagement and learning based project across both the Steart Marshes and Bridgwater Bay which form a key part of Somerset Wetlands National Nature Reserve.
A chance to test and trial new approaches to communication and learning about wetlands, forming the stepping stones for future engagement and learning programmes on site and across other coastal wetlands. Helping WWT realise their mission as the charity for wetlands and wildlife by inspiring connection with these wondrous habitats. Getting more people to value, act and benefit from wetlands.
Responsibilities of the post will be assisting the Engagement & Learning Manager with:
Developing the engagement activities across both Steart Marshes and Bridgwater Bay reserves.
Managing, supporting and inspiring our current team of highly motivated volunteers ensuring that they have a positive volunteering experience.
Working with key stakeholders and national WWT staff to develop and build partnerships to pilot innovative ways to demonstrate the value of working wetlands to all visitors.
Undertaking local community engagement through WWT’s work to inform people about wetland benefits and opportunities for local action.
Developing, resourcing and coordinating a focussed programme of engagement activities that enhances the visitor experience and maintains the high profile of the reserve.
Researching, evaluating and documenting the benefits, challenges and opportunities associated with the engagement initiatives and partnerships. Learning lessons and implementing improvements as appropriate.
Working with WWT’s Experience, Engagement and Learning team with the design, placement and renewal of on-site interpretation.
Monitoring visitor profile, usage and participation, using data loggers, surveys and manual counts to provide accurate data.
Working with WWT’s Digital and Media team to communicate key messages to the wider public.
This is a part-time, fixed-term contract until 31st March 2027, working 22.5 hours per week.
About You
It is essential the successful candidate will have:
experience in communicating with a wide range of audiences, and different methodologies for engagement, consultation and evaluation.
a willingness to play an active part in a small team and achieving outcomes by working with volunteers is key to this role.
experience of programme planning, managing groups and running public events and activities.
a strong creative ability to help create, develop and deliver innovative engagement programmes for a range of audiences.
an interest and passion for involving people in wetland nature conservation would be a big bonus.
We need someone with the ability to determine priorities, set tasks and have good time management skills, with a proven ability of budget and resource management.
There is scope for hybrid working with 2 out of 3 days based in the office on site. A driving licence is essential for this role as it will involve regular travel to the site itself and occasionally to other sites and locations as necessary.
The Connecting Coastal Communities project is made possible with The National Heritage Lottery Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to further WWT’s commitment to create inspiring, accessible experiences for people that nurture a deeper connection and understanding of wetlands.
About Us
We’re WWT, and we’re on a mission to restore the super-powered ecosystems we call wetlands. There’s never been a more important moment for our work, and we’ve got some phenomenal people on the case.
Whether they’re taking a new visitor under their wing, or conducting ground-breaking research further afield, our team are second to none. And there’s nothing we love more than watching them soar.
Whatever you do here, you’ll be helping to restore wetlands and unlock their power. So, the only question left is, what role will you play?
Why you’ll love working at WWT
Wake up every day knowing your work is helping to restore wetlands, and our world
Be surrounded and inspired by our team of passionate, dedicated people
33 days annual leave (which goes up to 38 days after 5 years of service) – this includes bank holidays and you have flexibility to take those days whenever you want
Free entry to all our wetland centres, including your family
Free car parking and secure bike storage areas
Colleague discount on shopping and memberships
Cycle to work scheme
Contributory pension scheme
Life Assurance of three times your salary, for peace of mind for your loved ones
Independent personal, workplace and financial advice from our Employee Assistance Programme
WWT is an equal opportunities employer and all applications will be considered solely on merit.
Registered Charity Number England & Wales, no 1030884 and Scotland, no SC039410
This role provides an exciting opportunity to work as part of the team at WWT Steart Marshes, one of the largest wetland creation schemes in the UK. Overseeing the management of a 2-year NHLF project; Connecting Coastal Communities. A predominantly engagement and learning based project across both the Steart Marshes and Bridgwater Bay which form a key part of Somerset Wetlands National Nature Reserve.
A chance to test and trial new approaches to communication and learning about wetlands, forming the stepping stones for future engagement and learning programmes on site and across other coastal wetlands. Helping WWT realise their mission as the charity for wetlands and wildlife by inspiring connection with these wondrous habitats. Getting more people to value, act and benefit from wetlands.
Responsibilities of the post will be assisting the Engagement & Learning Manager with:
Developing the engagement activities across both Steart Marshes and Bridgwater Bay reserves.
Managing, supporting and inspiring our current team of highly motivated volunteers ensuring that they have a positive volunteering experience.
Working with key stakeholders and national WWT staff to develop and build partnerships to pilot innovative ways to demonstrate the value of working wetlands to all visitors.
Undertaking local community engagement through WWT’s work to inform people about wetland benefits and opportunities for local action.
Developing, resourcing and coordinating a focussed programme of engagement activities that enhances the visitor experience and maintains the high profile of the reserve.
Researching, evaluating and documenting the benefits, challenges and opportunities associated with the engagement initiatives and partnerships. Learning lessons and implementing improvements as appropriate.
Working with WWT’s Experience, Engagement and Learning team with the design, placement and renewal of on-site interpretation.
Monitoring visitor profile, usage and participation, using data loggers, surveys and manual counts to provide accurate data.
Working with WWT’s Digital and Media team to communicate key messages to the wider public.
This is a part-time, fixed-term contract until 31st March 2027, working 22.5 hours per week.
About You
It is essential the successful candidate will have:
experience in communicating with a wide range of audiences, and different methodologies for engagement, consultation and evaluation.
a willingness to play an active part in a small team and achieving outcomes by working with volunteers is key to this role.
experience of programme planning, managing groups and running public events and activities.
a strong creative ability to help create, develop and deliver innovative engagement programmes for a range of audiences.
an interest and passion for involving people in wetland nature conservation would be a big bonus.
We need someone with the ability to determine priorities, set tasks and have good time management skills, with a proven ability of budget and resource management.
There is scope for hybrid working with 2 out of 3 days based in the office on site. A driving licence is essential for this role as it will involve regular travel to the site itself and occasionally to other sites and locations as necessary.
The Connecting Coastal Communities project is made possible with The National Heritage Lottery Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to further WWT’s commitment to create inspiring, accessible experiences for people that nurture a deeper connection and understanding of wetlands.
About Us
We’re WWT, and we’re on a mission to restore the super-powered ecosystems we call wetlands. There’s never been a more important moment for our work, and we’ve got some phenomenal people on the case.
Whether they’re taking a new visitor under their wing, or conducting ground-breaking research further afield, our team are second to none. And there’s nothing we love more than watching them soar.
Whatever you do here, you’ll be helping to restore wetlands and unlock their power. So, the only question left is, what role will you play?
Why you’ll love working at WWT
Wake up every day knowing your work is helping to restore wetlands, and our world
Be surrounded and inspired by our team of passionate, dedicated people
33 days annual leave (which goes up to 38 days after 5 years of service) – this includes bank holidays and you have flexibility to take those days whenever you want
Free entry to all our wetland centres, including your family
Free car parking and secure bike storage areas
Colleague discount on shopping and memberships
Cycle to work scheme
Contributory pension scheme
Life Assurance of three times your salary, for peace of mind for your loved ones
Independent personal, workplace and financial advice from our Employee Assistance Programme
WWT is an equal opportunities employer and all applications will be considered solely on merit.
Registered Charity Number England & Wales, no 1030884 and Scotland, no SC039410