Ecologist

SOUTH WEST LAKES TRUST

1. JOB DESCRIPTION 

1.1 JOB TITLE: ECOLOGIST

1.2 SALARY: £27,500-30,000 per annum pro rata (dependant on experience)

1.3 LOCATION: Roadford Lake office but required to travel regularly to sites across the southwest

                           Potential for some home working by agreement with line manager.

1.4 HOURS: 24 hours per week to include some weekends, Bank Holidays and evenings.

1.5 DURATION: Fixed Term contract from 5 June 2023 to 31 March 2024

1.6 RESPONSIBLE TO: Head of Environment  

1. OVERALL ROLE PURPOSE

Working on a South West Water (SWW) funded project you will survey and monitor the ecological condition of Sites of Special Scientific Interest across sites in the southwest, delivering habitat management interventions to ensure they are in the best ecological condition, aiming for favourable condition, and write reports for submission to SWW.

For SW Lakes this role will contribute to;

• Meeting our vision that: Our people, places and experiences we offer, will inspire this and future generations to love and benefit from the environment by delivering our environmental obligations.

• Meeting our purpose: To care for natural and historic environments, providing health, social and wellbeing benefits for individuals and communities.

• Meeting our impact: Our managed landscapes will be abundant, diverse and connected.

• Ensuring the feeling of “It’s Your Outdoors” is shared with all stakeholders.

1. THE ROLE

3.1           Our Environment Team work around lakes and reservoirs within the southwest of England; they focus on land and property of public interest and/or of designated conservation importance.

3.2           Our ecologists deliver the essential tasks necessary to protect biodiversity and ensure that our managed landscapes will be abundant, diverse and connected. They help ensure compliance with statutory aspects such as the Conservation, Access and Recreation Code of Practice, as well as compliance with our Integrated Management Plans.

3.3           Our ecologists operate in outdoor environments and largely independently, often lone working on and around deep water, as well as in small teams.  Lone working for extensive periods requires individuals that are responsible and resilient.

3.4           Our ecologists need to be comfortable and able to work outdoors in all weathers whilst ensuring all risk assessments and lone working policies (where applicable) are followed.   

3.5           This role is focused on Sites of Special Scientific Interest, surveying, monitoring and delivering habitat management interventions to enhance biodiversity to ensure they are in the best ecological condition, aiming for favourable condition, and write reports for submission to SWW and Natural England.

3.6           Our ecologists work within a supportive and skilled team and this role will be part of our Environment Team.

1. KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

4            

4.1           Plan and undertake ecological surveys and monitoring at Sites of Special Scientific Interest following standard monitoring and reporting processes, including the current Biodiversity Metric for condition assessment. 

4.2           Write comprehensive and detailed reports for submission to SWW with support from the Head of Environment, adding all prescriptions to our Integrated Management Plans. Complete consent forms to carry out works on SSSI’s. Adhere to all financial procedures and timelines, updating key performance indicators as required.

4.3           Take responsibility for selected habitat management work such as scrub control, fencing, conservation grazing and invasive species management on our Sites of Special Scientific Interest. These habitat management works may be carried out by the post holder or contractors may be appointed for some works.

4.4           Work closely with our Environment Team to report on any conservation concerns such as invasive non-native species.

4.5           Take responsibility for the proper care and maintenance of equipment and vehicles that are used.

4.6           Organise and prioritise workload to an agreed timeframe and quality to ensure timely delivery of reports.

4.7           Manage contractors and volunteers and assist other members of the Environment Team in conservation activities as appropriate.

4.8           Undertake mandatory training and development as required by the Trust.

4.9           Ensure compliance with Trust procedures to manage risk to the public, self, other staff, volunteers and contractors. Ensure that high quality risk assessments are carried out in line with Trust guidance for works you are undertaking and supervising, and monitor compliance with safety procedures.

4.10        Carry out other duties as may reasonably be assigned by the Trust.

1. PERSON SPECIFICATION

You will be:

• Motivated by the need to conserve and enhance the natural environment for the future and align with the Trusts values and ethos.
• Enthusiastic with a positive approach to problem-solving and demonstrating a flexible approach. 
• A good organiser with proven ability to set priorities and to see tasks through to completion.
• Able to work under your own initiative and take responsibility for the overall programme of works.

In addition to the criteria’s below:

To apply

• To apply please complete and return our application form or to learn more please contact Will Harris – recruitment@swlakestrust.org.uk.