1. IDENTIFICATION OF JOB
JOB TITLE - Southern Conservation Officer
FUNCTION - Conservation Policy and Planning
RESPONSIBLE TO - Head of Conservation Policy and Planning (HCPP)
RESPONSIBLE FOR - Conservation Assistant and volunteers
2. OVERALL PURPOSE OF JOB
To work towards biodiversity conservation and the achievement of BAP targets in the County, focusing primarily on the Districts of Gedling, Rushcliffe, Broxtowe and the City. The emphasis of this role is on liaison with land managers to ensure that Local Wildlife Sites are valued and well managed, influencing local authority decisions over planning and policy, and liaison with partner organisations, local naturalists, and relevant local member groups of the Wildlife Trust. This role is also pivotal in helping to deliver our Erewash Valley Living Landscape area aspirations, and to promoting landscape-scale working in general in the south of the County.
3. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Campaigning for wildlife
a) To work with the Senior Conservation Officer on Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust’s (NWT) input to the reviews of the Local Development Frameworks (LDFs) in the Greater Nottingham Area;
b) To ensure that NWT responds professionally to relevant planning applications in the above Local Authority areas, including leading on major applications;
c) To liaise closely with officers and members of relevant local authorities, particularly over planning and sustainable development matters, Community Strategies, and land management;
d) Where relevant, to engage and involve NWT volunteers with local planning work to help them to protect wildlife in their areas;
e) To identify barriers to sustainable land management, and strive to overcome these by sourcing funding, equipment or expertise, or by producing case studies which can inform lobbying on agricultural and forestry policy;
Working with partners to restore biodiversity
f) To contribute to the delivery of NWT Living Landscape aspirations, particularly in the Erewash Valley Living Landscape area, through implementing habitat creation and management projects, in conjunction with landowners and partner organisations;
g) To provide conservation management advice to landowners (in both the farming and other sectors), tenants, and other managers of Local Wildlife Sites, advising on contacts for further information, and on the suitability of sites for grant support such as agri-environment and woodland grant schemes as well as local conservation grant schemes, and assisting with applications if appropriate. To do this in close liaison with other land management advisors, including FWAG and Natural England to ensure efficient working, and aid delivery of sustainable land management at the whole farm, as well as at the wildlife site level;
h) To inform landowners, tenants and managers of both urban and rural Local Wildlife Sites about the wildlife value of their land, through visits, telephone contacts and correspondence, establishing new and amending existing ownership data for Local Wildlife Sites in liaison with the Nottinghamshire Biological and Geological Records Centre;
i) To help in the delivery of NWT’s Bed and Breakfast for Farmland Birds Scheme;
j) To lead on the delivery of NWT’s Blue Butterfly Scheme;
k) To deliver work to develop Local Nature Reserves in conjunction with the Greater Nottingham Districts and Boroughs;
l) To provide the Nottinghamshire Biological and Geological Records Centre with any relevant data, particularly on the condition of Local Wildlife Sites and encourage biological recording;
Managing and enhancing our estate
m) To liaise with the Estates team on the preparation of management plans for Reserves and contribute to the development of agri-environment applications where required to do so;
Inspiring people to take action
n) To act as a source of information on wildlife and habitat management, both internally and externally. To help increase awareness of, and involvement in, nature conservation by giving talks and presentations to appropriate audiences, and undertaking relevant media work;
o) To support people engagement projects (eg Wildlife in the City) with technical advice and contacts, as required;
p) To influence decision-makers by provision of conservation information, advice and training and through proactive engagement with key personnel and Local Councillors.
Building Relationships and Representation
q) To build positive relations with Parish Councils and community groups in both urban and rural areas, and ensure that close relations are maintained with relevant naturalists and conservation organisations, members of the public, and NWT local groups and volunteers.
Finance and Administration
r) To be aware of relevant funding sources, work closely with NWT fundraising staff to submit funding applications and report on funded work as necessary, and maintain budgets and report on finances as required;
Human Resources
s) To provide support to volunteers in accordance with the Volunteer Policy.
t) To work closely with others in the Trust’s Conservation Policy and Planning Team, and contributing to the smooth running of the Team.
JOB SPECIFICATIONWorking closely with other members of the conservation team, Trust Committees, local groups and volunteers, the postholder has responsibility for promoting the beliefs and objectives of the Trust with regard to biodiversity conservation, particularly in the Greater Nottingham Area.
Liaison, both internally as indicated above, and externally with a wide range of partners, particularly farmers and landowners, is a central part of the job. Developing trust and strong relationships with local planners will also be essential. The Wildlife Trust has a broad remit with regard to the delivery of sustainable development, and the postholder will play an important role in communicating the importance of wildlife for society and the economy.
Some unsociable hours will be required in the evenings and weekends, to ensure the effective implementation of this post.
A full driving licence is required as the postholder will often need to travel within the County.
In order for the organisation to work effectively, the postholder may be required to assist with other areas of work and therefore should be prepared to undertake other duties appropriate to the post, as delegated by the Head of Conservation Policy and Planning or Chief Executive.
All staff are required to abide by organisational policies and procedures and to contribute to the smooth administration of the office. This includes promoting and acting as an ambassador for the Trust.
PERSON SPECIFICATIONJOB TITLE - Southern Conservation Officer
FUNCTION - Conservation Policy and Planning
Ideally the post holder will be able to demonstrate the majority of the range of experience:
Area A EXPERIENCE
• Degree and preferably a postgraduate qualification in Ecology or a related science;
• An understanding of farming and farming communities, with at least 3 years’ experience
of delivering land management advice;
• At least 3 years ecological survey and assessment experience;
• Good experience of the land-use planning system, and the workings of local
authorities
• Experience of project management
Area B KNOWLEDGE
• Habitat assessment and management techniques for nature conservation;
• Good working knowledge of UK nature conservation and agricultural policy;
• Operation and delivery of agri-environment and other support schemes;
• Survey techniques for plants and preferably some faunal groups;
• Familiarity with the fauna and flora, of the Midlands;
• Detailed knowledge of the planning system and nature conservation legislation;
• Word processing and other IT applications.
Area C SKILLS
• Ability to liaise effectively with a wide range of people;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Project and budget management, letter and report writing;
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workloads and meet deadlines
• Ability to manage and motivate staff and volunteers
Area D PERSONAL QUALITIES
• Well presented individual with the confidence to make approaches to land managers;
• High level of enthusiasm, self-motivation and self-discipline;
• Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative;
• Ability to negotiate and resolve potential conflicts;
• Flexibility of approach to wide-ranging tasks;
• Commitment to nature conservation and equal opportunities;
March 2014