Project Ecologist
Species Recovery, Bittern
Location
Shipham Gorge, Somerset, United Kingdom
Work type
Hybrid
Employment
Full Time
Experience
3-8 years
Compensation
£28K - £28K per year
Posted
1h ago
Summary and responsibilities
Role overview
Summary
This Project Ecologist role focuses on leading ecological surveys for bittern and wetland habitats across the Somerset Levels and Moors. Responsibilities include engaging landowners for habitat enhancement, identifying key restoration sites, and managing a dedicated volunteer group to support survey efforts for the Natural England Species Recovery Programme.
This exciting new role is a part of the Natural England Species Recovery Programme. The “Wild Again: Restoring England’s Wildlife” initiative aims to enhance threatened species populations across the UK. Somerset Wildlife Trust are excited to lead the Bolstering the Somerset Bittern (Botaurus stellaris) population project.
About You and the Role
The Project Ecologist will be responsible for delivering habitat and bittern species surveys across the Somerset Levels and Moors project area. This will include assessing a range of reedbed and wetland mosaic types to assess suitability for bittern, as well as engaging and advising landowners on habitat enhancement.
Supported by Somerset Wildlife Trust staff, landowner engagement will involve the identification of improvement works funded by the project. The survey work will be completed with the support of a new, dedicated volunteer group led by the Species Recovery Project Ecologist.
Responsibility 1: Lead Ecological Surveys
Leading bittern, reedbed, and wetland mosaic habitat surveys across the project area (Somerset Levels and Moors). This work includes surveying on private land, as well as National Nature Reserves owned by SWT, RSPB, and Natural England.
Keeping up to date with SWT data handling & reporting standards, particularly in close collaboration with Somerset Environmental Records Centre (SERC).
Working closely with the Project Manager for the BSB project, sharing specialist species knowledge, reporting project progress, being involved in project meetings, and recording volunteer hours.
Responsibility 2: Enhance Habitat Conditions
Identifying key sites for restoration and/or enhancement, supported by specialist habitat knowledge and SERC.
Collaborating with SWT’s Honeygar Land Management and Monitoring Manager to engage local landowners and organisations around the Avalon Marshes area with the aim of habitat restoration and/or enhancement for bittern recovery.
Advising landowners across the Somerset Levels project area on habitat enhancement and restoration, identifying and allocating use of project funding to support work on private land.
Ensure best communication practices that are in line with SWT standards.
Responsibility 3: Manage Volunteers
Providing leadership and mentoring to volunteers so that they can conduct species and habitat surveys without direct supervision.
Working with SWT’s Volunteering & Community Support Officer to ensure best practice when engaging and recruiting volunteers, including following SWT safety procedures and capturing issues raised by volunteers.
Contributing to the recruitment & promotion of volunteers for the new bittern survey group, which involves working closely with the Project Manager and SWT Marketing & Communications team.
Benefits
7% employer pension contribution
Life assurance
An annual professional institution subscription if applicable
Flexible and agile working
Wellbeing support – EAP, wellbeing champions
Diversity networks through RSWT/TWT
Paid volunteer days
Continuous Professional Development opportunities
33 days of holiday (25 + bank holidays)
The opportunity to make a real and positive difference to nature, communities and the climate.
Updated 1h ago
Candidate fit
Skills and qualifications
Additional skills
Experience
3-8 years
How this role is positioned
Role classification
Job domains
Industries
Employment
Full Time
Contract duration
Permanent
Hiring type
Direct
Global hiring
Location specific
Offer details
Compensation and benefits
Compensation
£28K - £28K per year
Location, schedule, and role shape
Work setup
Work conditions
Bandwidth profile
Context on the employer
Company snapshot
Company
Somerset Wildlife Trust
Team size
Growing team
Location
Shipham Gorge, Somerset, United Kingdom
Somerset Wildlife Trust is a local independent charity and the only organisation uniquely focused on improving the natural environment of Somerset for the benefit of wildlife and people. We champion Somerset’s stunning, diverse, and important natural environment, making the case for nature to the public and politicians. We protect wildlife and lead the recovery of the environment by example, including on our nature reserves.
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Project Ecologist
Shipham Gorge, Somerset, United Kingdom • Full Time