The Job: Ecology Assistant
Responsible To: Senior Ecologist or Ecologist
Purpose of Job
To assist and support the lead Ecologist or Senior Ecologist in delivering protected species and botanical project work onsite during the busy summer survey period.
Main Responsibilities
1. Providing support with protected species surveys and/or botanical surveys.
2. Accurately helping to record survey results under the direction of the onsite ecologist.
3. General administrative duties.
4. Adhere to Sheffield Wildlife Trust Health & Safety Policy and Procedures.
5. Any other relevant duties required of the postholder at this grade.
Job Specification
DETAILS OF EMPLOYMENT
Salary £15,706.68 per annum (FTE)
Terms of Employment: Open ended, subject to funding
Working Hours: The position is a casual contract of employment which means that whilst Wildscapes will try to provide as much notice as possible when offering work, there is no obligation for them to offer a minimum amount of hours or for the post holder to accept any work so offered. The amount of hours offered will vary depending on business needs. Due to the nature of the role, regular evening, early morning, occasional weekend and occasional overnight work stays will be required
Location: The post is based at Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust HQ, Victoria Hall, 37 Stafford Road, Sheffield, S2 2SF with regular travel required to worksites across the working region.
Annual Leave: Annual leave is accrued for any hours worked at the standard rate for Wildscapes and Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust staff (20 days per year full time equivalent) and is calculated retrospectively.
Transport provision: Suitable transport, to and from work sites will provided where possible. The postholder will ideally also have their own vehicle (with business insurance cover) for occasional use. Mileage costs reimbursed as per Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust policy.
Equal Opportunities: Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust is an equal opportunities employer and selection of applicants is based on merit
Person Specification
Experience
Have supported ecologists, ideally in a consultancy environment, for at least three months on one or more of the following (essential):
▪ Bat activity survey (particularly using detectors).
▪ Badger surveys.
▪ Great crested newt surveys.
▪ Tree survey to BS 5837.
▪ Water vole surveys.
▪ White clawed crayfish surveys.
▪ Extended phase 1 surveys.
▪ GIS works (particularly MapInfo).
▪ Accurate record keeping and recording.
▪ Health and safety in the workplace.
▪ Working in a small team.
▪ Working unsociable hours and flexibility in working pattern.
Knowledge
▪ Good all round ecological awareness.
▪ Good understanding of health and safety principles and procedures.
▪ Appreciates the need to deliver ecology services in a business-like manner.
▪ Some basic experience of IT systems including Microsoft Office and MapInfo (desirable).
Qualifications
▪ An ecology related (or similar) degree (desirable).
▪ Full driving licence and access to own vehicle with business insurance (desirable).
▪ 1st aid qualification (desirable)
▪ Membership of a relevant professional body such as the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) or working towards this (desirable).
Skills
▪ Capable of working cooperatively as part of a small team.
▪ Good verbal and written communication skills – especially related to following instructions.
Personal Qualities
▪ Flexibility to adapt to the needs of the business – including regular ‘out of hours’ working and work at short notice.
▪ Ability to meet deadlines.
▪ Punctual and professional.
▪ Attention to detail with a keen eye for quality.
▪ High level of enthusiasm.
▪ Good level of physical fitness and the ability to work on remote sites not accessible by vehicle.