Ecologist and Land Manager (ELM)

Job Description

Job title: Ecologist and Land Manager (ELM)

Type of position: Permanent, reporting to the DPA's Chief Executive

Place of work: Hybrid; Remote and in Princetown Office at least 1 day a week, 1 day a week on-site near Cornwood and Buckland in the Moor.

Salary: £30,000.00 per annum

Hours of work: 30 hrs/week- 4 days equivalent.

Overall purpose of the role. We are recruiting an Ecologist and Land Manager to manage the DPA’s 225 acres of land holdings in the national park, to provide specialist ecology advice, and to act as a focus for a reinvigorated and expanded volunteer offering, both on our own and our partners’ land on a range of projects.

The Dartmoor Preservation Association

Since 1883, the Dartmoor Preservation Association (DPA) has been working as an independent membership organisation to help protect and enhance Dartmoor. This has taken the form of practical conservation work; objecting to inappropriate development; and working in partnership with other organisations to support projects that will conserve and restore the landscape and wildlife. We have also acquired several unique pieces of land in the National Park, to prevent them from being damaged, and these are managed for biodiversity and the protection of archaeology.

We maintain a strong and close relationship with the Dartmoor National Park Authority and act as its “critical friend.” Through our relationships with the authority, and partnerships with many other local organisations, we influence the formulation of policy to manage Dartmoor and participate in actions to conserve its special qualities for posterity.

The context of the Ecology/Land Manager role. We are a small team with a long history, great reach and big ambitions. The DPA owns four pieces of land, all in the Southern half of Dartmoor, two of which have low upkeep requirements and two of which require regular work. These are at Pudsham Meadows near Widecombe-in-the-Moor, and High House Waste near Cornwood village. Our land is our major asset and we wish to be the best possible custodians of it. We have responsibility to deliver Rural Payment Agency (RPA)-related outcomes and to contribute to the network of landowners who look after Dartmoor. We have had a small but dedicated volunteer group and we wish to extend the opportunities for volunteering to a wider audience and with wider tasks, including through partnerships.

2024 and beyond, We are in busy times. Much of 2023 was spent defending the right to wild-camp on Dartmoor, a fight that is still ongoing and in which the DPA is playing a central role in. We have come through a period of operational modernisation and we are now  stepping up our campaigning on issues affecting Dartmoor and will focus on the Plymouth Freeport and disfiguring telecoms masts over 2024/5. As an organisation we are still formulating our response on our own land to the climate emergency.  We have an exciting youth leadership event in Autum 2024 and are the main sponsor for a Dartmoor-based photographic exhibition at the Exeter RAMM over late 2024/early 2025.

Principal Responsibilities

• Advising the DPA’s Chief Executive and trustees on ecology and the management of the charity’s land and to coordinate the activities of volunteers.

Land Management and ecology

• Writing and overseeing implementation of land management plans.

• Organisation of land management group (LMG) meetings twice a year. Liaison with LMG members between meetings. Members are staff, trustees, and volunteers.

• Appointing and overseeing the work of contractors carrying out work on DPA sites.

• Organise surveys, collate species records and maintain records of work carried out. Including long term monitoring and interpretation of data/trends to adjust land management where appropriate.

• Liaison with other professionals and local organisations, also farmers and graziers.

• In support of CEO - Preparation of applications for grants for agri-environment and other schemes.

• Lead on RPA/DEFRA interactions.

Volunteer Coordinator

• Planning and overseeing of volunteer work parties and other site-based activities. The ELM will attend most of the work parties. (Attending c.1 workday a fortnight).

• Communicating simply and effectively with a range of volunteers.

• Identify and develop work opportunities on our partners’ land. Examples including but are not restricted to: DNPA, Dartmoor Central Farming Cluster, Shallowford Farm Trust, Moor Trees.

• Plan and deliver public events three to four times a year on our land.

• Outreach. Occasionally attending Dartmoor ‘shows’ and helping to staff the DPA stand. Raising awareness of the DPA and its work and encouraging members of the public to join the Association.

• As a team member. Providing general ecology support, including co-ordinating replies to ad hoc questions received from DPA members and the public, to ensure that they receive a positive and helpful response. Plus other administrative associated with the role and task.

Person Specification.

We are looking for someone who will enjoy a varied role, who can work flexibly with volunteers, professionals, and third parties, someone who believes in and is willing to contribute to the DPA.

Essential competencies.

• Ability to work on own initiative, prioritise work tasks and manage time effectively.
• Ability to create robust and timely workplans for use on the land
• Ability to create clear and concise written material.
• Able to work flexibly in a small team
• Strong communications skills

Knowledge and Qualifications

• Ecology qualification and experience of land management, preferably upland habitats and species
• Experience of working with the Academic sector
• Previous experience of the Rural Payments Agency
• Full driving licence and own transport, although a DPA 4x4 vehicle will be available regularly for land-related work
• Knowledge of Dartmoor 
• First-aid qualification or willingness to undertake training
• Ability to work alone on the moor
• Experience of working with volunteers would be beneficial
• Experience of planning and delivering events would be beneficial

Reporting.  The ELM is one of three staff who report to the Chief Executive. The Chief Executive is accountable to the Board of Trustees, reporting directly to its Chairman.

Working Relationships

For governance purposes the postholder will work closely with:

• The Chief Executive Officer
• The Comms/Projects Officer
• DPA trustees

The post holder will also work with:

• DPA volunteers
• Volunteers of other organisations
• Staff at partner organisations
• General public
• Dartmoor National Park Authority staff

BRIEF SUMMARY OF TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

The DPA is committed to providing the best terms and conditions of employment commensurate with the resources of a small regional charity. We have introduced working arrangements to help staff achieve an appropriate work/life balance, such as part-time working, flexibility in working hours, and the ability to work from home.

•   Location: the post is part- based at the DPA’s office at the National Park Visitor Centre in Princetown, Yelverton, Devon PL20 6QF. The post holder is welcome to be solely based at Princetown or mix in working from home days. There will be a weekly remit for working on-site on our land holdings.

•   Salary is £30,000 per annum and 30 hours per week.

•   Holidays:  22.5 days a year of paid leave including 3-4 days to be taken between Christmas and New Year.

•   Travel: reasonable travel costs incurred as part of the job – other than travel between home and the DPA’s office - will be reimbursed within HMRC approved rates.

• •    Benefits:  DPA gives employees the option to participate in a personal pension scheme,  with the employer contributing of 3% and a contribution by the employee of 5%

•   Probationary period:  the appointment will be subject to a six-month probationary period.

•   Notice period: during the probationary period, notice will be one week by either party. On satisfactory completion of the probationary period this will increase to three months by either party.

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RECRUITMENT PROCESS

How to Apply

Please send us a copy of your CV, with a short covering letter demonstrating how you meet the requirements of experience, knowledge, and skill in the ‘person specification.’ Please by email to tomusher@dartmoorpreservation.co.uk   

The deadline for receipt of applications is midnight on Friday 2^nd August. Interviews likely on 13/14 August.                                                                                                                

If you would like an informal chat about the role, then pleased email tomusher@dartmoorpreservation.co.uk to arrange a conversation.

Thank you for your interest in Dartmoor Preservation Association.