We are looking to grow our network of Biodiversity tutors
The Field Studies Council has a long heritage of teaching natural history and is proud to be a national hub for biodiversity training for both individuals and organisations alike.
Our courses cover UK wildlife, biology, ecology, identification, surveying, recording skills and much more!
We deliver training to adult learners who may be enthusiasts, students or professionals and we are forging connections with national organisations such as the Forestry Commission, the Woodland Trust and Natural Resources Wales to provide bespoke corporate training packages.
That’s why the Field Studies Council is looking to book (and pay) people like you to join our thriving tutor network and support delivery and or development of our popular adult courses across the UK and online.
Train the Trainer courses available now
If you are interested in becoming a biodiversity tutor these courses provide an excellent opportunity to upskill.
These courses will cover all that you need to know in order to deliver an effective and engaging adult in-person and online natural history session.
Biodiversity: Train the Trainer
An in-person day course which covers everything that you need to know to deliver an effective in-person natural history session:
- Theories of teaching and learning
- How to engage others during a course
- Group and risk management
Biodiversity: Train the Online Trainer
Cover the core skills and considerations needed deliver an effective and engaging online adult natural history session. This course includes two hours of self-study content followed by a live webinar.
- Theories of teaching and learning
- Examples of virtual engagement tools
- Management of online groups
- Zoom display settings for tutors
We are currently looking for tutors to run courses in these specific areas:
- Wales and London – all natural history subjects
- Yorkshire & Humber, West, and East Midlands – Lichens
- All areas – Biodiversity Metric related skills: habitat surveying skills and botanists with FISC level 5 qualification or above.
Tutors may be booked to deliver course content on-demand for organisations in 2024 and for delivery of courses in our open programme it will be 2025, with course scheduling commencing in June 2024.
We ask for three or more years’ experience in the following:
- Expertise in your chosen area of biodiversity/natural history/ecology
- Training of adults to achieve learning outcomes for their personal interest or professional development
- Managing groups safely in an outdoor environment (if interested in delivering courses in-person)
What’s involved?
As a Field Studies Council Biodiversity tutor, you will inspire adult learners through your specialist subject.
Your involvement may be the development or review of learning materials for use by you and other tutors; you may be booked to deliver in-person or online courses as part of our annual scheduled programme; you may be called upon to deliver courses on-demand within your subject area of expertise for group bookings or you may be offered commissions for bespoke course development and delivery for national organisations.
The Field Studies Council books most tutors for a few days a year around their other work commitments.
Benefits of joining the Field Studies Council’s tutor network
- Training provided, including an online foundation course
- Competitive rates of pay plus travel and subsistence expenses
- Flexible role to suit your circumstances
- Join a network of like-minded individuals and expand your personal and professional connections
- Represent a prestigious training programme for an environmental charity with over 80 years’ heritage
- Work in well-resourced education centres within stunning natural habitats
- Get involved in youth-led projects or career workshops to support the next generation
Start your tutoring journey
Are you under 30 and passionate about natural history? If you’re studying or developing expertise in this field and interested in teaching others, we’re looking for biodiversity tutors like you. Even if it’s your first tutoring role, we can provide training and mentoring to help you become part of our tutor network. Join us in sharing your knowledge and contributing to the learning experiences of others in the realm of biodiversity.
Register your interest here or get in touch at [email protected] if you would like to chat about this opportunity.
“I enjoy being an Associate Tutor for the FSC, not least because I’m fortunate in that the teaching I’m involved with covers several aspects of the Field Studies Council work…
During the Pandemic I was involved in developing and then delivering introductory courses for the new Botany learning framework. I will do more online tutorials for this in 2022, as well as some in-person teaching at different Field Centres.“
Karen Van Oostrum
