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JOB DESCRIPTION

FIFTH CONTINENT LANDSCAPE PARTNERSHIP SCHEME BIODIVERSITY OFFICER

Job Title: Fifth Continent Landscape Partnership Scheme Biodiversity Officer (FC2) Function: To lead delivery of the biodiversity and conservation programme of the HLF Fifth Continent Landscape Partnership Scheme Responsible to: Fifth Continent Scheme Manager Responsible for: Support to some volunteers and trainees

Kent Wildlife Trust Kent Wildlife Trust is one of the largest of the 47 Wildlife Trusts, which together make up the Wildlife Trusts Partnership. We are supported and governed by our 31,000 members, and have the simple aim of protecting Kent’s wildlife for the future. To this end, we own or manage 60 nature reserves covering 7,500 acres; we campaign and lobby politicians, decision makers and landowners to ensure site protection and good habitat management; and we run a full programme of education work with schools, colleges and adult groups. The Trust also has five Visitor Centres.

The Trust operates from its headquarters at Tyland Barn, just north of Maidstone. The 80 professional and support staff work within five sections of Reserves; Conservation, Policy & Evidence; People Engagement; Marketing and Fundraising and Finance and Support Services.

Visit our website to see the range of our activities – www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk

Job Purpose

‘the world, according to the best geographers, is divided into Europe, Asia, Africa, America and Romney Marsh……’ Rev. Richard Barham, The Ingoldsby Legends

Kent Wildlife Trust (KWT) has been awarded a grant for £1.75 million through the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) in order to deliver the Fifth Continent Landscape Partnership Scheme on Romney Marshes.

This is an exciting, innovative project delivering a range of outcomes for built heritage, communities and wildlife on Romney Marshes.

You will lead on the exciting and innovative delivery of biodiversity and landscape-scale conservation projects, working directly with landowners and partners in projects including restoration of vegetated shingle, enhancement and restoration of ditches and other habitats programme within the Fifth Continent scheme.

You will work closely with a project board, senior KWT staff, stakeholders, HLF officers and delivery partners. This is an exciting new project for Kent Wildlife Trust which will have significant benefits to the landscape, people and wildlife of Romney Marshes.

OF 4 18/01/2018 D:\DOCS\2017-12-12\02FF5B80FF80DA22D552650E275E899B.DOC 1 Principle Duties

1. Delivery of the Fifth Continent Habitat & Conservation Programmes

1. Working as part of the Fifth Continent Scheme team to ensure the delivery of the Landscape Conservation Action Plan. 2. Working with partners, contractors, volunteers, naturalists, the community, stakeholders etc. 3. Responsibility for overseeing the habitat improvements to be undertaken as part of the ‘Shingle on the Cusp’, ‘Blue Lanes’, ‘Green Lanes for Bumblebees’ and ‘Sentinels on the Marsh’ projects, working with partners, contractors, volunteers, naturalists, the community, stakeholders etc.

4. To work with the Fifth Continent Scheme Manager and relevant landowners or managers to devise a Management & Maintenance plan for all sites where species and habitat enhancement work is undertaken under the Fifth Continent Scheme. 5. To produce a programme of work with which volunteers can participate in delivering. 6. To appoint and supervise contractors involved in survey work and species and habitat improvements. 7. Share the successes of the Scheme, encouraging knowledge transfer and demonstrating good practice in landscape scale conservation management and monitoring. 8. To recruit, train and manage new volunteers to undertake survey and practical work and motivate the volunteer workforce to continue their efforts in the long-term. 9. Responsibility for installing interpretation and trail signage as outlined under the ‘Rediscovering the Fifth Continent’ project, working with partners, contractors, volunteers, naturalists, the community, stakeholders etc.

10. Responsibility for liaising with the police and community in the delivery of the ‘New Lookers Community Policing Project’ which seeks to tackle heritage crime on Romney Marsh. 11. To ensure that risk assessments are written in accordance with KWT policy for each activity undertaken.

2. Financial

a. To ensure that project spending is in line with the budget and that standard KWT or HLF protocol is followed with regard to expenditure.

b. To support the Fifth Continent Scheme Manager in securing additional funding.

c. To assist the Fifth Continent Scheme staff to maintain accurate spreadsheets of income and expenditure, to feed to the KWT Head of Bid Development and Project Administration.

3. Monitoring and evaluation

a. Work alongside the ‘Monitoring the Marsh’ appointed contractor to ensure all biodiversity data is digitised in a suitable database and analysed and shared for the benefit of wildlife conservation. b. To maintain good records of activities undertaken and participate in the monitoring and evaluation of the Fifth Continent projects and Scheme (e.g. recording volunteer and partner hours), according to the Evaluation Framework. c. Contribute information, and where necessary attending, Fifth Continent Steering Group meetings.

4. General duties

a. To contribute to the content of e-newsletters, the Fifth Continent website and social media.

OF 4 18/01/2018 b. To endeavour to raise the profile of the Fifth Continent Scheme by identifying publicity opportunities and acting on them. c. Adhere at all times to relevant health and safety legislation and Trust policies. d. Share with all staff a common duty to recruit members and volunteers, raise funds and enhance the good reputation of KWT wherever the opportunity arises. e. Any other duties as reasonably required by the Chief Executive.

2 Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Essential Desirable Educated to degree level in a relevant subject. √ At least 3 years’ experience in relevant roles. √ An understanding of current nature conservation policy √ and thinking, and the principles of landscape ecology conservation.

An understanding of conservation land management of √ vegetated shingle, ditches, grazing marsh, bumblebee and churchyard habitat and an appreciation for the conservation of archaeological sites. Evidence of practical habitat management and access √ development and maintenance skills, using hand tools and petrol-driven tools (please mention any certificates of competence you might have). Experience of biological recording for a range of species √ and habitats, either professionally or as a volunteer and an understanding of storage methods. Experience of managing contractors. √ Have a track record of engaging communities and people √ from different backgrounds as well as working with a wide range of partnerships and organisations. Innovative with an ability to think creatively and develop √ new ideas. Experience in managing projects effectively, ensuring that they are delivered on time, on budget and achieve the √ anticipated targets. Evidence of the ability to lead, instruct, train and support √ volunteers to promote skills development. Ability to work competently under own initiative and √ without constant supervision. Ability to work as part of a team. √ Good verbal and written communication skills, including √ the ability to write reports and undertake public speaking. Knowledge of the Landscape Partnership Scheme √ process and approach. Knowledge of Health & Safety and experience of writing √ risk assessments. A clean, current driving licence. √

3 Other Considerations

1. The appointment is offered as a full time fixed term post – until 30th December 2020 2. The appointment is subject to a six month probationary period. 3. 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. 4. Appointment is subject to receipt of satisfactory references. 5. The Trust operates a no smoking policy. 6. All staff share a common duty to recruit members and volunteers, and enhance the good reputation of the Trust whenever the opportunity arises. 7. KWT aims actively to enhance, wherever possible, the opportunities for people with disabilities

OF 4 18/01/2018 to experience, understand and enjoy the natural environment. All staff share the responsibility in achieving this. Further information is available from the Head of People Engagement. 8. Under Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, all staff have a legal responsibility to: a. take all reasonable care of their health and safety while at work b. ensure as far as reasonably practicable the safety of other persons, whether other employees or members of the public, who may be adversely affected by their own actions c. co-operate with the Trust to enable it to discharge its obligations satisfactorily.

4 Employment Package

All posts within the Trust operate within pay bands. The relevant band for the Fifth Continent Biodiversity Officer is Point 13 – 16 (£24,833 - £27,298), with annual increments of circa £500. The point on the scale at which applicants start will depend on skills and experience. Finances permitting, these bands are updated once a year to allow for the rate of inflation. Incremental rises also happen annually depending on available finances and performance. A higher pay scale may be considered in the case of an exceptionally experienced or effective candidate.

Normal KWT office hours are 9.00 am to 5.30 pm (including an hour for lunch) 5 days per week. The job will also involve some evening working. Overtime is not paid, but time may be taken off in lieu. The KWT holiday allowance is 23 days a year plus 8 days’ statutory holidays.

After 3 months in post, staff are eligible to join the Trust’s pension scheme. The Trust will contribute 9% of gross salary provided the employee contributes a minimum of 4%.

Applications

Applicants should read the Guidance Notes very carefully before completing the application form - clearly and in black ink please [for copying purposes].

Please DO NOT send your CV.

If you wish to discuss this post, please telephone Paul Hadaway on 01622 357860.

The closing date for applications is midday on Monday 10th April 2017.

Interviews

Interviews will be held on Monday 24th April 2017.

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