Gems in the Dunes Project Officer

Ref: BFTBIP05/PO

Contract: Fixed term 1/7/17 – 30/6/20

Hours: Full time

Salary: £24,000 pa pro rata (plus pension); 2% annual increase from 1/4/2018.

Do you want to be a part of a ground-breaking approach to saving species from extinction? Back from the Brink is a new £6.6million HLF-funded programme delivered by a partnership of England’s leading nature conservation organisations.  We are building a team of enthusiastic and experienced individuals across the partnership to undertake conservation work and inspire the nation to discover, value and act for threatened species.

Amphibian and Reptile Conservation is seeking a Project Officer to help deliver the “Gems in the Dunes” project. This component of the Back from the Brink programme will deliver on the ground gains for rare sand dune wildlife on the Sefton Coast, and provide opportunities for people to get involved in conserving these species. You will help deliver an ambitious project that undertakes surveys, habitat management and advisory work. You will work closely with local partners and communities to involve and enthuse the public. The post will report to the Gems in the Dunes Project Manager.

You will need to enjoy working with people, have experience managing volunteers, understand professional species conservation, and have excellent communication and organisation skills. Experience of habitat management for species and conservation management of sand dunes will be advantageous. The Trust offers 25 days pro rata annual leave entitlement and if eligible you will be enrolled in the organisational pension scheme.

Please return your application form (download below) with a brief covering letter to Helen Wraight, Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, 655A Christchurch Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth BH1 4AP or email to [email protected]

Closing date: Wednesday 10th May 2017

Interviews will be held at Sefton Council’s offices in Ainsdale on 22nd  and 23rd May 2017.

Job purpose

The Project Officer will be responsible for implementing the audience engagement component of the “Gems in the Dunes” integrated project plan, in partnership with the project partners and a steering group.

Gems in the Dunes is a component project of the national Back From The Brink Programme, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, to improve the fortunes of many of our rarest and most threatened species, under the auspices of the 2020 Saving Species Partnership of public and non-governmental organisations.

The Gems in the Dunes project aims to restore rare species found in sand dune habitats on the Sefton Coast (Merseyside), and to engage local communities in their conservation. The natterjack toad and sand lizard are two focal species, and the project will integrate their needs with those of a range of other dune species (including northern dune tiger beetle, and three bryophyte species – petalwort, matted bryum and sea bryum). The project will see volunteers encouraged to monitor and manage habitats on the coast, and expert advice given to a range of landowners and managers. The potential impacts of coastal change, and the options for responding so that threatened species are conserved, will also be explored.

Specifically the responsibilities of the post are to:

  1. Lead, co-ordinate, and manage the delivery of the audience engagement plan for Gems in the Dunes, within budget, scope, and timescales
  2. Undertake direct delivery of habitat works, training, workshops and community outreach activities, in close consultation with the Project Manager.
  3. Collaborate with Communications and Outreach teams within the partnership during delivery of the audience plan, to co-ordinate with the overarching plan of the Saving Species Partnership
  4. Co-ordinate with third parties (including landowners and contractors), securing good engagement and support throughout delivery.
  5. Recruit and manage volunteers
  6. Data entry and recording in accordance with Back from the Brink standards
  7. Review of progress towards completion of the audience plan, measuring achievements against milestones
  8. Report on progress to Gems in the Dune Project manager.
  9. Observe ARC’s working policies at all times, including those on Health and Safety and Equal Opportunities.
  10. Any other duties / activities as specified by ARC.

Person specification

Essential

  • Experience of engaging volunteers and local communities in species-focused projects.
  • Social media skills.
  • Experience of professional nature conservation.
  • Experience with the UK’s native amphibians and reptiles, other sand dune species, and understanding of sand dune conservation issues.
  • Experience of working in partnership with other organisations, including volunteers, landowners and contractors.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, including report-writing.
  • Good computer skills, including use of internet, email, Microsoft Office and Excel.
  • Excellent organisational skills, including time management.
  • Full, current driving licence.
  • Eligibility to work in the UK.

Desirable

  • Experience of land management schemes, especially Higher Level Stewardship / Countryside Stewardship.
  • Understanding of protected species, protected sites and land management schemes.
  • GIS experience.

Download Application Form

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