Public Engagement Officer

Job Description

Public Engagement OfficerSalary: Band C £28,498 - £29,922 per annum (dependant on skills and experience)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 (6 months)Location: UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Royal Observatory Edinburgh 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.We are looking for a Public Engagement Officer to join our welcoming and dynamic team at Royal Observatory Edinburgh (ROE) for six months cover, until the end of August 2024. Someone with a keen interest in engaging diverse audiences with science and technologycan gain valuable experience working with us to cover this critical period.The public engagement team at ROE deliver a vibrant programme of activities both at the observatory and across the city. We aim to share the wonder of the cutting-edge science and technology carried out by STFC with as wide an audience as possible, givingparticular focus to reaching groups who are currently underserved and underrepresented within STEM.ROE is at the forefront of astronomical research and technology and hosts nearly 300 staff and students. It is home to two main organisations; the UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UK ATC), one of four national labs of STFC, and Edinburgh University’s Institutefor Astronomy (IfA).More detailed information about Royal Observatory Edinburgh’s public engagement work can be seen on our website but we organise our work across four general strands; schools, communities, general public and staff support. The successful candidate will bework across all four areas with a particular focus on our schools and communities work.Our BenefitsOur Benefits include a flexible working scheme (subject to business requirements), Defined benefit pension scheme, and 30 days annual leave allowance plus 10.5 bank holiday/privilege days and several other benefits.Key ResponsibilitiesProgramme Delivery

• Communicate effectively: with audiences of different ages, STEM literacy, or social-cultural backgrounds with the ability to inspire and engage, whilst valuing and taking on feedback to be a more effective practitioner.
• Review and reflect on work delivered: recording and addressing lessons learnt (with support from Line Manager), and evaluating events and activities (including devising, collecting, undertaking sample analyses, reporting of programme performance and evaluationdata, and sharing successes).
• Work and travel across Edinburgh and surrounding areas to deliver activities, including some early starts, evening and weekend working, ideally making use of team vehicle.

Programme Development and Management

• Contribute knowledge of Public Engagement and STFC science and technology areas to ensure resources highlight our most engaging stories and are factually accurate.
• Oversee storage and regular maintenance of public engagement team resources both online and within the visitor centre including oversight resource loan schemes.

Relationships with Stakeholders

• Collaborate effectively (both written and verbally) to ensure that events and activities meet the needs of those being engaged; maintain good relationships with audiences, partner organisations, stakeholders and colleagues including but not limited to;members of the public, community group leaders, primary school teachers, and staff and students at ROE.
• Staff support: supervise and/or mentor staff and other volunteers during the preparation and delivery of events or as part of staff training programmes.

Safety, Health and Environment

• Safe working: be responsible for the safety of themselves and the safety of those that they are working with (including office colleagues, event staff and audiences). Risk assess and adhere to defined SHE protocols when undertaking work.

Person Specification

• Ability to understand, synthesise and communicate complex scientific concepts and differentiate this for children and young people of different ages, family groups and adults
• Knowledge of astronomical science and engineering, or a clear willingness to develop this
• Event planning and delivery experience, including supervision of small teams
• A degree or the ability to organize and process data and information, to inform the writing of reports and proposals
• Experience of and competence with the use of standard Office software, particularly Microsoft Excel
• Self-starter with ability to collaborate effectively with others to manage priorities for events, small project and programmes

Join us and discover what’s possible!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 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 thefilename 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 submittedcovering letter and CV and not the experience’ section of the application.