Community Ecologist

Full-Time Community Ecologist Job Description

Office Base: Manor House, Little Wittenham, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 4RA

Work location: throughout Oxfordshire. The post allows flexibility for home-working but some office-based work is expected (on average three days per week, including Tuesdays).

Work hours: Full-time 35 hours per week (5 days per week). Some weekend and evening working is required (an average of two weekend days per month plus one evening per week).

Duration: 2 years, with a plan to extend it for a longer period subject to securing funding

Salary: £31,824

Benefits: Pension with 9% Employer’s Contribution. 25 days leave plus the usual public holidays in England and Wales, as well as an additional three days between Christmas and New Year when the office is closed.

Reporting to: Lead Community Ecologist

Line reports: None

Overall purpose of the job

Inspire and empower communities and parish & town councils to protect and enhance their natural environment and foster effective community engagement in local nature recovery by carrying out ecological surveys, writing management plans, providing practical advice, and inputting into Neighbourhood Plans.

Main responsibilities

• Work within the Community Ecology Project, with our Lead Community Ecologist and Nature Recovery Engagement Officer.  

• Engage community groups and Parish & Town councils with nature on their patch, improving understanding of their local environment and what they can do for nature’s recovery.

• Carry out ecological surveys of community green spaces, including Phase 1 habitat and or UKHab survey and mapping and protected species surveys.

• Work with community groups to write 10-year Management Plans for them to implement.

• Provide advice to Parish & Town Councils about how to protect and enhance their natural environment, within the context of the planning system, including guidance for the Wild Oxfordshire website.

• Work with Neighbourhood Plan teams to include policies and practical measures to protect and enhance biodiversity in Neighbourhood Plans.

• Organise one Local Environment Groups conference, and four walks & talks for Wild Oxfordshire members each year.

• Engage with partner organisations including Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust, Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment, Community Action Groups Oxfordshire, Communities First Oxfordshire, and District, City, and County Councils.

Ability to travel around Oxfordshire to visit groups and sites outside of public transport networks is required.

Due to the need to work with volunteer-led groups and parish councils, flexibility is required to be able to work evenings and weekends.

About Wild Oxfordshire Together for Nature

We are a charity seeking to create a more natural, resilient, and biodiverse Oxfordshire for the benefit of all. We catalyse change by identifying needs, convening partnerships and unlocking opportunities for nature recovery action. We collaborate with numerous individuals, communities and organisations; offering expertly curated and inspiring information, bespoke advice, and nature-based solutions.