Conservation Project Officer And Research Coordinator

Principal Duties

This is an exciting opportunity to work within a small but busy and passionate team delivering pioneer native species Conservation Projects. Our reputation as a leader in this field has led to the establishment of several highly professional partnerships bringing together skill sets essential to the successful delivery of Conservation Projects.

Overall responsibility will involve:

1. Reporting directly to the Director of Conservation and Rewilding, lead on Conservation Project planning and development at Wildwood Trust.
2. Manage and lead the implementation of existing Conservation Projects including the water vole breeding facility.
3. Liaise closely with external conservation partners and other stakeholders.
4. Liaise with academic organisations to coordinate research projects and placements informing the conservation of native species.
5. Coordinate and facilitate research for key projects on and off-site and maintain up-to-date research spreadsheet.
6. Support the Volunteer Co-ordinator with the recruitment of volunteers for the department.
7. Provide details and reports for Trustees, funders, licensing authorities and other stakeholders.
8. Represent Wildwood at onsite and external meetings and provide presentations as required.
9. Work collaboratively across the organisation, sharing and acquiring information relating to research and Conservation Projects.
10. Undertake additional project work as and when directed by Director of Conservation and Rewilding.

This is an exciting position, with a huge potential to develop new projects to help protect wildlife across the UK.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

The successful applicant will be skilled at maintaining and developing our existing relationships with our conservation partners. Excellent communication and organisation skills are essential and the applicant must have the confidence to carry out tasks independently, whilst also having the ability to work productively and successfully with a team.

This post will ideally suit someone wishing to develop their career as a wildlife conservation professional. We are looking for a practical team player with a ‘can do’ attitude and a passion for the restoration of British wildlife.

Essential

• Professional, confident, and dynamic, able to carry out tasks independently and be able to work effectively in a team context.
• Proven track record in partnership building, and project management.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and PPT.
• Excellent written English and report writing.
• An appropriate qualification in conservation science and/or ecological management, preferably at the postgraduate level.

Desirable

• At least 5 years’ experience in project management in a land management or conservation role.
• Experience working as an ecological consultant or as a conservation professional within the private sector, governmental or non-governmental organisation.
• A demonstrable passion for British wildlife and its conservation.

Other Considerations

• The post is advertised as full-time and will require occasional weekend and bank holiday working.
• No person shall be treated less favourably than another on the grounds of sex, sexual orientation, marital status, race, ethnic or national origin, religion, colour, age or disability. As an equal-opportunities employer, applicants for staff vacancies shall be shortlisted for interview and appointed purely on the grounds of their suitability for the post as laid out in the advertised job description.
• Wildwood operates a no smoking policy in the park and in its offices.
• Animal work frequently requires individuals to work outside of normal working hours if, for example, specific levels of care are required. Therefore, a flexible approach in terms of working hours is required.

Employment Package

• Core working hours are 08:00 – 17:00 an unpaid half hour for lunch. The post is advertised as 37.5 hours per week, averaged over the year, over 5 days. The role may involve some evening and weekend working as part of your normal duties.
• The holiday allowance is 30 days a year which includes statutory holidays.
• Appointments are subject to confirmation after a six-month probation period.

Apply for this job:

Application is by C.V. and must contain the following information:

• Name, address, age, and contact phone numbers at home and work (for discreet calls only).
• Employment history.
• Educational history.

You should include a statement of the relevant skills and experience that you believe you will bring to the job, paying careful attention to the requirements of the job outlined above.

You should give two referees to whom we can turn for a confidential reference, one of whom should be your current or most recent employer. References will only be taken up for those candidates chosen for an interview or, with regard to current employer, on offer of contract.

Applications will not normally be acknowledged. If you would like yours to be acknowledged, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard.

Interview & Selection Procedure

Interviews and selection tests will be held at Wildwood offices at Wealden Forest Park, Herne Common by arrangement.