Ecologist

Job Purpose

Job Title: Ecologist. Fixed Term Opportunity until 31st March 2025

Advertised Salary: £32,427 + £390 per month Car Cash Allowance.

Base Location: Home-based with Hatton Hub.

We're the charity who look after and bring to life 2,000 miles of waterways across England and Wales, because we believe that life is better by water. Every role across the Trust plays its part in transforming our canals and rivers into spaces where local people want to spend time and feel better, bringing wellbeing benefits to millions.

We currently have an opportunity for an experienced Ecologist to join our Environment Team North within the Operations Directorate. The Ecologist will predominantly cover the West Midlands Region

Are you passionate about ecology and conservation and looking to make a real difference to nature recovery? We are looking for an ecologist to join the Unlocking Biodiversity project, funded by Severn Trent, which aims to preserve and restore habitats within the West Midlands and the wildlife that depends on them. This project started in April 2023 and runs until March 2025. The project will continue to be delivered by the successful applicant in collaboration with the co-project manager already working on the project.

The Unlocking Biodiversity project focusses on five habitat types for restoration along our waterways: reedbed, aquatic margin, hedgerow, heathland and grassland. Learn more here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/things-to-do/canal-and-river-wildlife/unl...

You will assist in planning, implementing and overseeing habitat restoration works, including creating habitat management plans to ensure future longevity. The works are delivered by a combination of volunteers and contractors, so the ability to lead and work with a range of different people is vital for this role.

Location

The role will be based working from home, with the allocation of a nearby Hub in the West Midlands for collaborative working. You will attend site visits across the West Midlands region

Knowledge, Skills/Qualifications & Experience

Key ecological accountabilities:

• Carry out habitat surveys to inform restoration works.
• Create habitat improvement plans and method statements to inform detail on how works will be delivered.
• Work collaboratively with internal Trust teams and external stakeholders to deliver project objectives.
• Lead volunteer groups and/or work with Trust volunteer leaders in delivery of objectives. Ensure an engaging experience for participants.
• Deliver awareness training, toolbox talks and facilitate practical training for Trust colleagues, contractors, volunteers and stakeholder groups.
• Attend site meetings with volunteer leaders and contractors to inform works.
• Carry out site monitoring during and after habitat restoration works to audit the works and implement mitigation as necessary.
• Continue to run established citizen science surveys for otters and water voles.
• Adhere to UK statutory environmental policies and internal Trust environmental procedures.
• Write and implement risk assessments.
• Promotion of the project and its work, for example through social media.

Key project management accountabilities:

• Procurement and negotiation of contractor services for delivery of habitat restoration works.
• Procurement of equipment and materials required to carry out habitat works.
• Scheduling of works within tight timescales and seasonal limitations.
• Adhere to reporting requirements of funders and internally within the Trust.
• Manage the project in accordance with the Trust's Health and Safety policy and defined standards to ensure compliance.
• Plan and control forecasts and actual costs against the project budget.
• Ensure all project (time, cost, quality, health and safety and environmental and heritage) objectives are achieved,
• Manage risks, issues and changes on the project.
• Maintain communications with stakeholders and the project team/organisation to satisfy their differing needs.
• With assistance from others, administer all aspects of the contract (if applicable to delivery of the project) to ensure compliance (e.g NEC ECC).
• Handover and closure of the project in a controlled manner highlighting any areas for improvements or elements of good practice to be considered in future projects.
• Work safely ensuring the safety of others and contribute to safe working in all activities.
• Display the Trust values and behaviours at all times.
• Ensuring that diversity and inclusion are integrated into all aspects of Trust life and promoting inclusion by challenging behaviour, practices, actions, or decisions that are counter to the objectives of the Trust's policies and values.
• Comply with Canal & River Trust Health & Safety policy and defined standards, report incidents, accidents and near misses. Assess the risks and make adjustments to work methods where appropriate. Ensure all equipment (PPE, plant, materials etc.) is appropriate for the task. Consider your own and others behaviour.
• Safeguarding - To be aware of your own responsibilities regarding safeguarding and to support our commitment to providing safe environments and working practises that promote and protect the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults at risk at all times.

About you

Technical:

• Hold a degree (or equivalent experience) in ecology or a related subject.
• Proven experience in application of specialist knowledge within a business environment.
• Able to influence/negotiate effectively with internal and external contacts to achieve desired outcomes.
• Knowledge of, and practical experience of operating within, UK & European policy and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience of undertaking habitat surveys, desirable.
• Experience of undertaking protected species surveys, desirable.
• Project management experience, desirable.
• Membership of CIEEM, desirable.
• Knowledge of GIS, desirable.

General:

• You will be a passionate and effective advocate for nature recovery.
• Proven evidence of continuing professional development.
• Excellent organisation and scheduling abilities.
• Good communicator to a range of audiences, able to adapt style and content as appropriate. Capable in a range of media types.
• Reliable and flexible.
• Self-motivated and show initiative.
• Able to work well alone or in a team.
• Good problem-solving abilities.
• Full UK driving licence with access to own car for business use.

To apply: click on the "Apply for this job" button and follow the process - complete the application form & upload current CV. Closing date 18 th September 2024

Interviews: Initial interviews will be conducted virtually by MS Teams week commencing 23 th September 2024

If you have any questions about the role please contact CRT.recruitment@canalrivertrust.org.uk

In addition to the specialist expertise and professional qualifications you bring, it is also essential that you have an ability to engage with a variety of stakeholders across the organisation and wider, and communicate effectively to protect and promote the Trusts' waterways environment and ecology and enjoy working with volunteers and community groups.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient suitable applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

What We Offer

Compensation is made up as follows: £32,427 + car cash allowance. Additionally, we also offer a competitive contributory DC Pension scheme arrangement, great holiday entitlement (increasing with years of service) and numerous other employee benefits all of which can be found here (https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/our-benefits).

• 25 days paid holiday in addition to statutory leave, increasing with years of service in first five years.
• Competitive contributory DC Pension scheme arrangement, where we will double your contribution to a maximum of 10%.
• Access to a variety of personal development & growth courses and opportunities
• Free access to specialist counselling on a range of issues - health; financial; lifestyle; well-being; domestic & neighbourly matters.
• Access to a range of employee benefits including - store discounts; boating holiday discounts; holiday purchase scheme.
• Expansive maternity/paternity provisions.
• Progressive access to learning tools and CPD.
• Paid volunteering leave, volunteering for local community project work (dependent upon service)

At the Trust we care passionately for our waterways, and as importantly, for those who look after and use them. We strongly believe that a diverse workforce brings with it a diversity of ideas, thinking and ways of working which enhances what we do as a Trust. We are striving to represent the diverse communities that we are a part of. All candidates will be treated on the basis of their merits, skills and abilities and solely by being assessed against the requirements for the job.

We believe that continuous personal & professional development are important, and through many Trust internal & externally supported development programmes we are pleased to support your ongoing growth and development in this role.

Find out more about the work we do on our website:

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us]]>