Waikato Regional Council – Taupo, North Island
Environmental Education Facilitation Services are contracted by Waikato Regional Council to work primarily with schools within designated areas throughout the Waikato region. We are seeking a contractor to support a network of schools in the southern Waikato (primarily in Taupo and South Waikato Districts) for a 12 month part time contract for the 2025 school year. On average this will be approximately 18-20 hours per week (flexible hours) during school terms primarily based from a home office.
The role involves guiding, motivating, and advising schools on their journey towards creating a sustainable school with a focus on (but not limited exclusively to) the Enviroschools Programme, and other programmes as they may fit within the programme of work.
You would join a team of contractors and will be allocated a specific group of schools to facilitate as the primary contact person. You will also contribute to the Enviroschools network in the region, and to the vision the Council, in association with Toimata Foundation, has for the region.
What's important to us?
Environmental Education Facilitation contractors support a network of Enviroschools. This involves meeting schools "where they are at" and guiding them to develop next steps towards creating a sustainable, resilient and thriving school community. Contractors work mainly with teachers and, at times, wider school staff and students. The role contributes to the Enviroschools network at a range of levels:
Personal practice, which includes:
Working professionally and with creativity and enthusiasm.
Taking time to explore the Enviroschools kaupapa and suite of resources and use them to underpin mahi.
Reflecting on your own practice and taking opportunities to learn from others.
Supporting individual Enviroschools, which includes:
Building supportive individual and/or cluster relationships with local communities.
Supporting schools to explore the Enviroschools kaupapa and resources as they develop a whole school approach to sustainability.
Supporting teacher planning to integrate learning and action into all areas of school life.
Providing opportunities for holistic reflection on an on-going journey.
Supporting schools to share their mahi with others.
Fostering a strong regional network, which includes:
Supporting and inspiring the regional network of Enviroschools.
Providing/contributing to opportunities for participating school communities to learn, share and take action together locally according to their own goals.
Working in a way that honours tangata whenua.
Collaborating with key providers/agencies to progress environmental education outcomes.
Linking Enviroschools with local community projects, places and people that make a positive contribution to their sustainability journey.
Contributing to the national network, which includes:
Sharing experiences with other facilitators around the country to grow the collective puna matauranga (pool of knowledge).
Participate in national and inter-regional Enviroschools Professional Development.
Model and uphold the Enviroschools kaupapa.
This is a unique opportunity to drive key areas of sustainable practice and environmental thinking into schools and communities within the region, laying down a foundation for current and future behaviour change successes.
We are seeking passionate professionals with a demonstrated expertise in sustainability; experience facilitating; familiarity with the education system and motivation to offer practical support to schools on their sustainability journey. Existing community networks to support environmental education and teaching qualifications or experience in NZ schools are valuable.
A bit about us
Waikato Regional Council's 10-year strategic vision is the mighty Waikato: Caring for our place, empowering our people and purpose. Working together for a Waikato region that has a healthy environment, strong economy and vibrant communities. The Waikato Enviroschools strategy seeks to support this vision with a focus on empowered communities, empowered learners, innovation and collaboration and holistic sustainability.
Contractors are allocated a list of schools and prioritise their time to progress school sustainability journeys against their identified school goal or vision.
What we require from a Respondent:
Track record
a general university degree and knowledge of Environmental Education;
4 years' experience in facilitating meetings, workshops and local community events or teaching/training.
familiarity with the education system and are motivated to offer practical support to schools on their sustainability journeys.(Teaching qualifications and experience in NZ schools is valuable)
Capability
a personal connection with the kaupapa of Enviroschools;
appreciate and understand Te Ao Maori and the importance of relationships with mana whenua (Good te reo Maori pronunciation is essential);
have an interest in Education for Sustainability, action-learning and student empowerment; have existing local connections that will support environmental education outcomes;
have an inclusive style of working that brings people together and is empowering.
are self-motivated and comfortable working both independently and as part of a wider nationwide team.
have excellent organizational skills, including event management, administration and computer skills.
are creative thinkers and reflective role models, learning and assessing their own practice and open to possibilities.
Capacity
Work from home office located near the schools being facilitated in Taupo and South Waikato districts;
utilise own vehicle and holds full drivers licence;
maintain SHE pre -qualification (water working);
complete Level 1 Enviroschools Facilitator Training (a residential training course) with Toimata Foundation.
For more information on the SHE pre-qualification process refer to: SHE Pre-qualification Process
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