Buglife Conservation Officer

Job description

Job title: Conservation Officer, Changing Chalk

Salary: £24,943 (0.6 FTE £14,966 pro rata)

Fixed term contract: 1st April 2020 to 28th February 2021 (22.5 hours a week)

To be employed by: Buglife

Location: Brighton/Eastbourne (TBC)

Reporting to: Buglife Projects Manager

Changing Chalk project

Changing Chalk partnership project is led by the National Trust, focused on the chalk grassland landscape of the Sussex Downs and the communities of the coastal urban fringe of Brighton and Hove, Eastbourne and Lewes. Thanks to the support of the is National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project will work with local communities and landowners to connect people with nature and address challenges facing the Sussex Downs to protect this fragile chalk grassland landscape for future generation.

The Changing Chalk partnership has received development funding, to help progress the plans to apply for a full grant in 2021. Buglife is responsible for developing three projects as part of Changing Chalk, which includes working with landowners to create wildflower-rich habitat across the B-Lines network in the South Downs, developing pollinator-friendly approaches to managing vineyards, and delivering a species recovery programme for the threatened Wart-biter bush-cricket (Decticus verrucivorus).

Job purpose:

The Conservation Officer will be responsible for developing the three Buglife-led work streams in Changing Chalk, producing fully costed project plans for the delivery phase of the project. The Conservation Officer will develop strong partnerships with local organisations to deliver the three work streams. They will work closely with local communities and landowners to inspire and motivate them to deliver habitat work for pollinators alongside planning a full programme of project activities including workshops and outreach events. They will also undertake literature reviews of current techniques and approaches to managing the landscape for invertebrates, commission surveys, lead community focused events and recruit volunteers.

The responsibilities specific to the post are to:

1. Lead on the development of a costed project plan for the delivery phase of the three Buglife work streams of the Changing Chalk project. 2. Work with landowners to identify sites for future habitat assessment and enhancement, and provide land management advice. 3. Engage and manage entomological contractors to ensure that survey work is undertaken to a high standard. 4. Undertake literature reviews of relevant habitat management practices for invertebrates. 5. Recruit and manage volunteers. 6. Responsible for the day-to-day management of the project finances ensuring that the project operates within the set budget, and report on financial performance within Buglife set procedures. 7. Support the evaluation of the project and the review of progress towards outcomes. Help ensure that the difference made by the project is captured in ways appropriate to the audiences worked with. 8. Support the project development and reporting process, helping to ensure that the information needs of project funders and the National Trust leads are met. 9. Represent Buglife at Changing Chalk project development meetings, and other meetings with project partners and stakeholders. 10. Data entry and recording in accordance with Buglife standards. 11. Report on progress to Projects Manager. 12. Observe Buglife’s working policies at all times, including those on Health and Safety and Equal Opportunities.

General responsibilities as specified by Buglife.

1. Manage the Health and Safety of self and any direct reports. 2. Comply with legislation related to wildlife and the operation of charities and businesses and adhere to internal policies. 3. Supervise volunteers, contractors, Interns and contribute to their recruitment as appropriate. 4. Contribute expertise to planning and policy development for sustainable management, including input into environmental impact assessments. 5. Advise clients, colleagues, community groups, landowners, planners and developers. 6. Maintain and develop own knowledge and skills. 7. Maintain effective financial records and adhere to full cost recovery principles. 8. Prepare fundraising applications, with support from others, for a range of opportunities aligned to the organisational strategy and internal cost recovery guidelines. 9. Educate and inform others, including policy makers, local communities, conservation organisations, developers, land managers and site managers through public outreach, talks, seminars, training and development, bug walks, workshops and conference speech making. Deal with public enquiries professionally and in accordance with Buglife procedure. 10. Promote and educate around the study of poorly recorded, declining or endangered groups of invertebrates. 11. Prepare media releases, produce promotional material, publicise events and give media interviews when requested. 12. Build and maintain external relationships which secure future and current project success.

Limits of Authority:

 Responsible for all delegated budgetary aspects of project work.  Signs own correspondence and expenses claims forms for volunteers.

Person Specification: Essential

 Proven experience at managing projects.  Experience of working with landowners, managers and contractors.  Experience of engaging volunteers and local communities in species-focused projects.  Social media skills.  Experience of professional nature conservation.  Experience of invertebrates and habitats, in particular pollinating insects and grassland habitats.  Experience of working in partnership with other organisations, including volunteers, landowners and contractors.  Excellent written and oral communication skills, including report-writing.  Good computer skills, including use of internet, email, Microsoft Office and Excel.  Excellent organisational skills, including time management.  Full, current driving license.

Desirable

 Experience of working in voluntary / NGO sector.  GIS experience.

Other Relevant Factors of the Role:

The officer will be based with a host organisation in the Brighton, but will have regular work outside, including in the field. Occasional longer hours and attendance at meetings and events outside normal working hours, sometimes working away from home for periods of more than one day or undertaking longer distance travel.