Public Engagement Officer
- 📁
- Science Support
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- May 31, 2024 Post Date
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- 240000IS Requisition #
Public Engagement Officer
Salary: Band C £28,498 per annum
Hours: Full-Time (We understand the importance of work-life balance and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants)
Contract Type: Fixed Term (2 years)
Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell, Oxfordshire
Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers, technicians and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. Whether it’s sending probes into space or finding new ways to treat cancer, everyone here plays a vital role in making a positive difference to society.
Come and discover how much you can achieve when you’re surrounded by world-leading experts, encouraged to constantly learn and empowered to explore your curiosity.
About the role
We are looking for a Public Engagement Officer with a passion for engaging diverse audiences with science and technology to join our welcoming team at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Harwell, Oxfordshire. The team delivers a vibrant programme of activities at the Laboratory, surrounding local area and nationally. We strive to share the wonder of the ground breaking science and technology carried out by STFC with a wide audience, giving particular focus to reaching groups who are currently underserved and underrepresented within Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).
Our staff are key to creating inspirational public events. They offer insight into ground breaking science and represent a diverse range of backgrounds and experience. The Public Engagement team works closely with staff, particularly our apprentice and graduate cohorts of approximately 150 people, to support them to be involved with three days of public engagement activities per year. Our team also works closely with the Skills Centre team, and together we aim to increase awareness of the range of jobs and opportunities within science and technology. This two-year fixed term role will support this work through onsite and offsite career events, as well as an online work experience programme.
Duties
Programme Delivery and Development
- Attending and supporting staff at career events on site and at local schools and colleges within an hour from Harwell Campus, developing and maintaining shared career resources;
- Establishing and delivering an online Work Experience programme, building on the success of previous online work experience programmes;
- Expanding the current in-person Work Experience programme to offer more opportunities for our priority audiences;
- Reviewing, reflecting and improving on work delivered through lessons learnt and evaluation.
Relationships with stakeholders
- Building lasting relationships with schools and colleges, collaborating effectively (both written and verbally) to ensure that events and activities meet the needs of those being engaged;
- Being an active team member and contributing to the wider National Laboratory Public Engagement Group programming;
- Supervising and/or mentoring staff volunteers, in particular early careers staff, during the preparation and delivery of events or as part of staff training programmes.
Safety, health and environment
- Safe working: contribute to risk assessments and adhere to defined healthy and safety measures.
Benefits
STFC values their employees by offering a benefits package designed to provide an excellent work/life balance. This includes 30 days’ annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege holidays, flexible working hours, exceptional average salary pension scheme, social and sporting activities and societies and a subsidised restaurant.
Person specification
The following criteria will be assessed at either shortlisting (S), interview (I), or both (S&I):
- Knowledge of STEM career pathways and/or career advice and guidance, or a clear willingness to develop this (S&I)
- Ability to communicate effectively with audiences of different ages or social-cultural backgrounds (S&I)
- Event planning and delivery experience, particularly online (S&I)
- Experience developing relationships with secondary schools/colleges and teachers/tutors (S&I)
- Experience of and competence with the use of standard Office software, particularly Microsoft Excel (S&I)
- Self-starter with ability to collaborate effectively with others to manage priorities for events, small project and programmes (S&I)
Please note that in addition to the above, the successful candidate must be willing to complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service certificate for working with young and vulnerable people.
We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Whatever our role, we have the freedom to explore, learn and connect, as part of a community that loves to share knowledge and support one another.
As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, this is a place where there’s always something new to learn – about the world around us, about your career, but most of all, about yourself. Join us and discover what’s possible.
About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We’re proud of the impact we make. And we’re committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You’ll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you’ll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you’ll discover just what a difference you can make when you’re equipped and inspired to excel.
We’re a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don’t, ask questions that others won’t, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it’s at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It’s very often ground-breaking. And it’s endlessly, irresistibly fascinating.
For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/
You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/
About UK Research Innovation (UKRI)
UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.
Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.
More information can be found at www.ukri.org.
Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.
The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
How we support EDI in the workforce
At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.
Disability Confident Employer
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
How to apply
Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.
UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.