The Role: A recent successful lottery application has given Commungrow the opportunity to create a new development role. This post will help us take our Field School to the next level by engaging with more schools and allowing more children to benefit from our unique, (and off grid) inclusive and engaging learning environment.
We are looking for someone who is passionate about outdoor learning with a strong interest and knowledge of nature and wildlife, The ideal candidate will be confident, self-motivated, able to manage their own workload and build new relationships. They should be comfortable speaking in public to different target audiences.

ABOUT US:

We are a friendly and supportive team who love making a difference in children & young people’s lives. We thrive on inspiring our young learners to engage with the wider natural world helping them to understand the importance of protecting our environment.
About Communigrow: Communigrow is a sustainable food education charity. We teach people how to grow chemical free food, using the therapeutic benefits of gardening to bring about positive change to physical and mental wellbeing. We are based on a 2.4-acre field in East Malling and we also deliver outreach projects across communities in Kent & Medway.
Our beneficiaries include children and young people with special education needs, local school children, people from under-resourced communities, young carers, adults with health conditions, older adults experiencing social isolation, emergency services/veterans and people coping with bereavement. We started as a community gardening project in 2011 and became a registered charity in 2014, our beneficiary numbers and partnerships continue to grow every year.
About The Field School Communigrow offers opportunities to children and young people to learn about where their food comes from, by participating in a wide range of horticultural and environmental activities. Re-branded as the Field School in 2023 we have over the last 8 years established a strong and exciting educational provision for schools and other groups. We are now planning to extend our provision and build on our reputation as a centre of excellence for outdoor learning for local schools and community groups.
Main Purpose/ Role Purpose The Development Officer will build relationships with schools and other educational providers encouraging them to access the opportunities available at Communigrow’s Field School. Helping us to grow our education programs for children and young people both during and outside of school hours.

Good IT, organisational and planning skills. Experience of Google operating system and applications is a bonus.

• Able to work positively & effectively as a member of a team and on own initiative.
• A general understanding of the work of community-based organisations/charities and the value of engaging whole communities in social and environmental activities, or a willingness to learn.
• A friendly and approachable ‘can do’ attitude, happy to ‘muck in’ attitude is essential!
• Willingness to support the delivery of other Communigrow activities and events.
• Current driving license and access to a vehicle for business use

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Independently engage with schools, agencies & other educational providers (both primary and secondary) within the local area to promote the opportunities available through The Field School.
Deliver talks/ assembly visits and other engagement opportunities to build relationships which will encourage schools to book our curriculum enrichment visits.
As part of the Field School team, support the organisation and delivery of enrichment visits at Communigrow, including facilitating workshops and Field School sessions (including during school holidays and weekends)

ABOUT YOU THE FOLLOWING SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES ARE ESSENTIAL TO FULFILLING THE DEVELOPMENT OFFICER ROLE

• Previous experience of working with children/young people
• Able to deliver creative and engaging activities for a range of learning styles & abilities.
• Track record of working with schools and other education providers
• Knowledge of or interest in gardening and growing plants.
• An understanding of the national curriculum, its content and structure.
• An interest and a passion for nature, the environment and wildlife and keen to communicate this to others.
• Confident and effective communicator both verbally and in writing, and able to work with and inspire people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
• Confident in public speaking and able to adapt approach depending on the target audience.

Good IT, organisational and planning skills. Experience of Google operating system and applications is a bonus.

• Able to work positively & effectively as a member of a team and on own initiative.
• A general understanding of the work of community-based organisations/charities and the value of engaging whole communities in social and environmental activities, or a willingness to learn.
• A friendly and approachable ‘can do’ attitude, happy to ‘muck in’ attitude is essential!
• Willingness to support the delivery of other Communigrow activities and events.
• Current driving license and access to a vehicle for business use.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, genders, abilities and ethnicities.
To apply for this role please send your current CV and a covering letter of support that details your reasons for applying and how your skills and experience match the job specification. Please contact us if you require an alternative method of application. We welcome visits from interested candidates prior to application.
An enhanced DBS and current references are required for this role.
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: From £14.00 per hour
Expected hours: 12 per week

Benefits:

• Company pension
• On-site parking
• Work from home

Schedule:

• Flexitime
• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability

Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 14/07/2025
Expected start date: 01/09/202