Environmental Education or Interpretation Officer
These careers are for people who are passionate about the natural environment and enjoy sharing that passion with others.
They communicate with a range of groups, in various different contexts:
Stewardship officers negotiate land deals with farmers who agree to set aside part of their land for conservation purposes. Afterwards they work out a conservation management plan for that part of the farm, and provide an extension service to assist the farmer to manage the land for optimum biodiversity.
Social ecologists help communities living on the borders of national parks to derive optimum benefit from the presence of the park. They facilitate the development of community-based natural resource management initiatives, legislative control of aspects such as hunting, sale of game, the importing and exporting of game, law enforcement as well as the administrative aspects of managing a nature conservation organisation.
Community development facilitators help many different communities to benefit from the wise use of their resources, whether they are wild flowers, or wildlife and spectacular scenery for eco-tourism, or trees and grasses for arts and crafts.
Education and interpretation officers teach visitors of all ages about nature and the significance of the cultural heritage sites in museums, national parks and other areas of interest. The work involves raising awareness and promoting an understanding of the environment to different audiences such as schools, colleges, businesses, community groups and the general public. Their tasks include giving presentations, running workshops, conducting guided walks and tours, working on local environmental conservation projects, producing and distributing learning materials for students as well as managing budgets and supervising staff.
Since these careers involve working with different groups of people, evening and weekend work may sometimes be required. A large part of their time may be spent away from the office in all kind of weather conditions, working with schools and community groups.
Satisfying Aspects
- inspiring interest in the visitors
- helping the future of conservation
Demanding aspects
- working long hours, over weekends or holidays
- working in adverse weather conditions
Requirements
• be enthusiastic, and able to motivate staff, colleagues and volunteers
• have a good understanding of environmental or technical content
• have teaching skills together with good social and communication skills
• able to deal with discussions and objections from participants
• good command of languages, written and verbal
• be a good planner and project manager
• interested in and appreciative of other cultures
School Subjects
• National Senior Certificate meeting degree requirements for a degree course
• National Senior Certificate meeting diploma requirements for a diploma course
Each institution has its own entry requirements.
Compulsory Subjects: Mathematics (Life Sciences or Physical Sciences is required in some cases) Recommended Subjects: Life Sciences, Social Sciences, Physical Sciences
Training
People follow a variety of routes to become environmental education officers.
Degree: BSc or other Bdegree in Environmental Science is offered at most universities.
Diploma: the conservation diploma or other environmental courses offered at most universities of technology, e.g. NDip Environmental Sciences - TUT or NDip Environmental Management – CPUT, may have an education component. If not, they can be supplemented by a short course specializing in environmental education offered by an NGO such as WESSA or a university e.g Rhodes. These short courses could also be done after completing an environmental degree.
Postgraduate: HDipEd with subjects such as Geography, Biology or Formal Environmental Education courses at postgraduate level.
Possible Career Paths
Education officers start out running the courses and then progress to planning and producing new material and managing the staff that run them.
Employer
• local government - municipal
• nature conservation agencies
• national parks and game reserves
• wildlife rehabilitation centres
• educational institutions
• world heritage sites
• NGOs e.g. Delta, Roots and Shoots
• Botanical and Zoological Gardens
• research institutes
• Dept of Environmental Affairs – capacity development sections
• the South African National Biodiversity Institute
• private companies
• community based organisations
• self-employment
Contact
Environmental Education Association of South Africa
Rhodes University
P O Box 94, 6140
Tel: (046) 603-8390 Fax: (046) 636-1495
www.eeasa.org.za
www.eeasa.org.za
The Director: Human Resources
National Department of Agriculture
Private Bag X116
Pretoria, 0001
Agricultural Research Council
P O Box 8783
Pretoria, 0001
Tel: (012) 427-9700 Fax: (012) 342-3948
www.arc.agric.za
www.arc.agric.za
Department of Agriculture
Private Bag X250
Pretoria, 0001
Tel: (012) 319-7328
WWF South Africa
P O Box 23273,
Claremont, 7735
Tel: (021) 657-6600
Fax: 086 535 9433 (national only)
Gauteng Office:
Ground Floor
Presidents Place
1 Hood Avenue
Rosebank, 2196
Tel: (011) 447-1213 Fax: (011) 447-0365
Information sponsored by GreenMatter.
Visit www.greenmatter.co.za.
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