Application Pack

Back from the Brink Project Officer

– Shrill Carder Recovery Project

Advertised April 2017

Contents

  • Job Advert
  • About the Bumblebee Conservation Trust
  • Back from the Brink Project Information
  • Back from the Brink – a note to candidates
  • Job description
  • Person specification
  • Summary of terms and conditions of employment
  • Recruitment and selection process
  • How to Apply
  • Application Form
  • Equal Opportunities Form

Job Advert

A unique opportunity to join a successful and growing conservation charity!
Back from the Brink Project Officer
– Shrill Carder Recovery Project
Salary £23,000 per annum(pro rata)
21 hours a week, 2 year fixed term
The Bumblebee Conservation Trust (BBCT) is looking for a part-time Project Officer to deliver conservation activities in South West England. Your primary role will be to deliver the ‘Back from the Brink’ Shrill Carder Recovery Project in Somerset and Wiltshire. (A project officer based in Essex will be employed by Buglife to work in conjunction with this posting). You will also support the development and delivery of wider BBCT conservation work in South West England.
Back from the Brink (BftB) is a partnership projectworking to prevent the extinction of threatened species in England. The objectives of the BftB Shrill Carder Recovery Project are to:
(1)Establish the current distribution of the Shrill carder bee in England
(2)Ensure remaining sites are managed to protect and enhance Shrill carder bee populations.
(3)Map opportunities to reconnect remaining populations via habitat restoration and creation.
(4)Recruit and train volunteers to monitor Shrill carder bees.
(5)Produce a Species Recovery Plan to inform Shrill Carder bee conservation.
You will be self-motivated and enthusiastic, with good bumblebee identification skills, knowledge of pollinator ecology,and experience in habitat management. You will have strong communication skills and be able to engage a wide range of people including farmers, landowners, partner organisations and volunteers.
This position is home-based, although hot-desk options can be discussed. Please refer to the job description and person specification for more details of the role. /
For an application pack please visit our website:
bumblebeeconservation.org/vacancies/

Bumblebee Conservation Trust

Beta CentreStirling University Innovation ParkStirlingFK9 4NF

Tel: 01786 467818

Charity numbers: 1115634; SC042830
To discuss the post informally, please contact:
Sam Page, Conservation Manager
Tel. 07780 931114

Closing Date:

5pm, Sunday 14 May 2017
Interview date:
Thursday 25 / Fri 26 May
in Salisbury, Wiltshire

About the Bumblebee Conservation Trust

The Bumblebee Conservation Trust is a UK-based national charity (England & Wales 1115634, Scotland SC042830) and a Company Limited by Guarantee (No. 05618710). The Trust was established in May 2006 in response to ongoing declines in many bumblebee species, due primarily to habitat loss through agricultural intensification. In the last 70 years two species have become nationally extinct whilst populations of several others have crashed dramatically. Over one third of social bumblebee species are now regarded as species of principal importance under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework. Bumblebees are ‘keystone’ pollinators, integral to our natural environment, and providing significant economic benefits through pollination of crops. We aim to help bumblebees and the habitats that they depend on through conservation and education. For more information about our work, visit our website (

Back from the Brink Project Information

Back from the Brink – a note to candidates

Saving species is in our gift, but only if we work together

Thanks for your interest in working on the Back from the Brink programme. This 4 year HLF funded programme is a necessary shift in gear for species conservation in England.

Securing the long term conservation of our threatened species is not a task that is in the gift of any one project officer, organisation or indeed sector. Back from the Brink in achieving fantastic conservation for over 100 species, will inspire a nation to discover, value and act for threatened species. But the partnership behind it has recognised that to address species decline we need to be far more collaborative in our approach to thinking and doing conservation work than our business as usual approach provides. To achieve this partners on Back from the Brink will embark on a process of cultural change.

What will this change look like?

  • If you are working on our integrated projects, success will mean conserving a multi-taxon assemblage of threatened species, not just the taxon group for which your new employer is well known for.
  • As well as programme partners, your project will engage with a wide range of delivery partners – often other conservation organisations with particular expertise – with whom collaborative approaches to working will be crucial.
  • All projects will work with communities, landowners and volunteers to help develop their commitment to looking after threatened species in the long term.
  • Staff at several levels within each organisation will pursue personal development plans that improve collaborative ways of working
  • Programme evaluation will identify and promote to the whole sector the successes secured by more collaborative ways of working, and how challenges were resolved.

Interested in taking up this challenge?

Taking up a post on the Back from the Brink programme will mean you will be working for one of England’s foremost nature conservation organisations. But more than this, you can expect to work closely with programme colleagues across many different organisations, sharing knowledge, networks, expertise and working to make the most of each other’s’ strengths. If you want to embrace this journey as we inspire others and bring threatened species back from the brink, then we’d love you to join the team.

David Hodd

Programme Manager – Back from the Brink

18th April 2017

Job Description

Job Title: Back from the Brink Project Officer – Shrill Carder Recovery Project

Reporting to: Conservation Manager

Responsible for: Local Volunteer Coordinators and conservation volunteers

Authorising project expenditure <£500

Hours: This is a part-time (21 hours, 3 days a week) fixed term position for 2 years Some weekend, bank holiday and evening work may be required during events.

Location: This post is based in South West England, primarily Somerset and Wiltshire. (A project officer based in Essex/Thames Gateway will be employed by Buglife to work in conjunction with this posting).

Introduction:

The Bumblebee Conservation Trust (BBCT) and Buglife are at the forefront of bumblebee conservation in England, and have been particularly active in conservation efforts to prevent the extinction of the Shrill carder bee Bombus sylvarum.

The Shrill carder is the most threatened bumblebee species in the UK. Formerly widespread across southern Britain, only five populations of the species persist into the 21st century, two in Wales and three in England. Genetic testing during 2003-4 found that the English populations consisted of an effective population size of just 156 queens in the entire country, and all three populations are thought to be threatened or declining.

There is an urgent need to assess the status of the remaining populations and develop a species recovery strategy with a plan for practical conservation action.

The key objectives of the Back from the Brink (BftB) project are to:

(1)Establish the current distribution of the Shrill carder bee (SCB) in England

(2)Ensure remaining sites are managed to protect and enhance Shrill carder bee populations.

(3)Map opportunities to reconnect remaining populations via habitat restoration and creation.

(4)Recruit and train volunteers to monitor Shrill carder bees.

(5)Produce a Species Recovery Plan to inform Shrill Carder bee conservation.

Job Purpose:

The post holder will be responsible for the effective delivery of the BftB Shrill Carder Recovery Project inSouth West England (2 days a week – funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund). In addition, the post holder will carry out wider BBCT conservation and development work in South West England (1 day a week – funded by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust). See below for more detail.

Main responsibilities:

Back from the Brink – Shrill Carder Recovery Project (2 days a week):

The main activities of the BftB Project Officer will be to carry out targeted Shrill carder bee surveys to establish the current distribution in South West England; recruit and train volunteers to assist in the surveys; provide landowner advice to ensure remaining sites with Shrill carder bee are being appropriately managed and to identify further opportunities for beneficial habitat restoration and creation; and to play an active role in the development of a new Shrill carder bee Species Recovery Plan.

  • Targeted Shrill carder bee surveys
  • Volunteer recruitment and training in bumblebee identification and BeeWalk methodology
  • Delivery of talks to raise local awareness of this important and threatened species
  • Land management advice to help landowners restore and create habitat for Shrill carder bee
  • Landowner engagement to identify future opportunities and inform project exit strategy
  • GIS mapping and data entry (linking to SCB habitat suitability modelling - led by BBCT Science Manager)
  • Active role in development of Shrill carder Species Recovery Plan
  • Liaison with BftB Shrill carder bee project officer in Essex (Buglife) and the wider Back from the Brink partnership.

Wider BBCT conservation work – South West England (1 day a week):

  • Assist in the development, delivery and/or support of local conservation projects to provide bumblebee habitat in target areas in accordance with BBCT’s business objectives.
  • Where appropriate, work with statutory agencies, local authorities, corporate bodies and businesses to increase habitat provision for bumblebees and other pollinators in South West England.
  • Respond to general BBCT conservation enquiries for South West England.
  • Manage and support Local Volunteer Coordinators (volunteers) to develop self-sustaining volunteer groups in the South West and coordinate other volunteers as required to deliver the BBCT conservation and awareness-raising outputs.
  • Identify and take forward opportunities to expand Bumblebee Conservation Trust’s ecological consultancy work.
  • Support the CEO and Science Manager in influencing policy on bee health at a national and regional level by contributing to the development of conservation policies as required.

General

  • Take an active role in BBCT’s Conservation and Science Team, attending team meetings and contributing to wider BBCT conservation work as required.
  • Provide written reports, maintain accurate records and complete regular evaluation as required by BBCT and the Back from the Brink partnership.
  • Manage project budget and ensure all expenditure is within budget.
  • Actively support Bumblebee Conservation Trust’s and Back from the Brink’s social media.
  • Contribute to the overall outputs of the BBCT team and carry out duties with due regard to the well being and safety of others at all times.
  • Undertake any other duties commensurate with the nature of the post as deemed appropriate and by agreement with the Conservation Manager.

Person Specification

Essential

  • Experience of habitat conservation and management
  • An environmental or ecological degree, or equivalent knowledge acquired by other means
  • Good bumblebee identification skills
  • Experience and/or knowledge of bumblebee and invertebrate surveying
  • Knowledge of pollinator ecology and their habitats
  • Good field and botanical skills including the ability to identify key bumblebee forage plants
  • Competent in using GIS
  • Proven experience of engaging people including delivering talks, training courses and other events.
  • Ability to build effective relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders and organisations, in particular farmers and landowners
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Experience of working with and/or managing volunteers
  • Computer literate including confident use of MS Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
  • Full driving licence and access to own vehicle for work use, with a willingness to travel to meetings and sites within the designated working area as well as occasional long-distance trips within the UK
  • Willingness to work some weekends and evenings, with overnight stays away from home on occasion
  • Ability to self-motivate and willingness to work remotely

Desirable

  • Experience of delivering land management advice to farmers and/or other landowners
  • Direct experience of grassland restoration and management
  • An understanding of the 'UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework'process
  • An understanding of the English National Pollinator Strategy
  • Budgeting and project management skills and experience

Summary of terms and conditions of employment

Terms and conditions: This is a part-time, two year fixed term post

Salary: £23,000 per annum(pro rata)

Pension: This fixed term post is eligible for the BBCT pension scheme (7% Employer contribution).

Location: Home-based, although hot-desk options can be discussed. The post holder must be based in Somerset or Wiltshire.

Hours of work:The post holder will be employed part-time for 21 hours per week. Some overtime work may be required and a flexitime system is in place.

Annual leave:Annual entitlement of 35 days (on a pro rata basis for part-time staff) inclusive of Bank/Public Holidays.

Policies and procedures: We have policies designed to ensure the safety and well-being of both workers and volunteers e.g.health and safety, lone working.

Recruitment and Selection Process

The Bumblebee Conservation Trust is an Equal Opportunities employer. This means that when carrying out our work and in the employment of staff to undertake this work, we will seek to ensure equality of treatment for all persons regardless of ethnicity, gender, age, marital status, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or economic status.

Pre-employment checks:

We will require a minimum of two appropriate references and will check original documents proving your qualifications, identity, and right to live and work in the UK before you can start work with us.

You will be asked to provide details of any unspent criminal convictions.

References:

Referees should be your present and last employer. They should have had either managerial or supervisory responsibility for your work, and not be colleagues, subordinates or friends. Where appropriate (i.e. when this is your first employment), a tutor’s reference and a personal reference or similar will be acceptable.

Referees will be provided with a copy of the job description and person specification for the vacancy.

BBCT will only approach your referees once an offer of employment has been made.

How we use your personal information:

The information which we gather from you during the recruitment and selection process is retained and processed in accordance with the provisions set out by the Data Protection Act1998 (DPA).

Please note that by submitting an application for employment, you are also agreeing to the Bumblebee Conservation Trust processing such information as may be necessary to assess your application, provided that proper regard is had to the data protection principles in force.

If your application is successful, the information you provide will be retained and will form part of your personnel file. If you are not offered work with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, all documentation related to your application will normally be confidentially destroyed after a period of six months.

How to Apply

If you are interested in joining us, please complete the application form belowand return by email o later than 5pm, Sunday 14 May.

In order to ensure that all applicants are assessed equally and fairly, applications will only be accepted on the form provided. Please do not send CVs.

Interviews are expected to take place onThursday 25 / Fri 26 May in Salisbury, Wiltshire.

Application Form

PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL

APPLICANT INFORMATION
TITLE: / SURNAME: / FORENAME(S):
ADDRESS (including postcode):
DAYTIME TELEPHONE NUMBER: / EVENING TELEPHONE NUMBER:
EMAIL ADDRESS:
CAN YOU PROVIDE PROOF OF YOUR RIGHT TO LIVE AND WORK IN THE UK?
Yes No (please tick/double click to select)
DO YOU HOLD A FULL CLEAN DRIVING LICENCE? Yes No (please tick/double click to select)
DO YOU HAVE ACCESS TO A CAR TO USE AT WORK? Yes No (please tick/double click to select)
IF YOU HAVE A DISABILITY WILL YOU REQUIRE ANY REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS MADE TO ENABLE YOU TO ATTEND AN INTERVIEW?
Yes N/A (please tick/double click to select)
If yes please provide details:
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIMINAL OFFENCE (DECLARATION SUBJECT TO THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS ACT 1974)?
Yes No (please tick/double click to select)
If yes please provide details:
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
PRESENT OR MOST RECENT EMPLOYMENT
DATE FROM: / DATE TO:
JOB TITLE: / COMPANY NAME:
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
SALARY: / FULL TIME PART TIME
(please tick/double click to select)
REASON FOR LEAVING:
IF STILL EMPLOYED PLEASE STATE NOTICE PERIOD REQUIRED:
PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT Please continue on a separate sheet if necessary
DATE FROM: / DATE TO:
JOB TITLE: / COMPANY NAME:
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
SALARY: / FULL TIME PART TIME
(please tick/double click to select)
REASON FOR LEAVING:
DATE FROM: / DATE TO:
JOB TITLE: / COMPANY NAME:
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
SALARY: / FULL TIME PART TIME
(please tick/double click to select)
REASON FOR LEAVING:
DATE FROM: / DATE TO:
JOB TITLE: / COMPANY NAME:
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
SALARY: / FULL TIME PART TIME
(please tick/double click to select)
REASON FOR LEAVING:
DATE FROM: / DATE TO:
JOB TITLE: / COMPANY NAME:
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
SALARY: / FULL TIME PART TIME
(please tick/double click to select)
REASON FOR LEAVING:
DATE FROM: / DATE TO:
JOB TITLE: / COMPANY NAME:
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
SALARY: / FULL TIME PART TIME
(please tick/double click to select)
REASON FOR LEAVING:
EDUCATION
DATE FROM: / DATE TO:
SCHOOL/COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY:
QUALIFICATIONS Please state level and grade obtained
DATE FROM: / DATE TO:
SCHOOL/COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY:
QUALIFICATIONS Please state level and grade obtained
DATE FROM: / DATE TO:
SCHOOL/COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY:
QUALIFICATIONS Please state level and grade obtained
TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT
DATE FROM: / DATE TO:
TRAINING INSTITUTE/AWARDING BODY:
QUALIFICATIONS Please state level and grade obtained
DATE FROM: / DATE TO:
TRAINING INSTITUTE/AWARDING BODY:
QUALIFICATIONS Please state level and grade obtained
DATE FROM: / DATE TO:
TRAINING INSTITUTE/AWARDING BODY:
QUALIFICATIONS Please state level and grade obtained
MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL BODIES (if applicable)
NAME OF INSTITUTE/PROFESSIONAL BODY:
MEMBERSHIP TYPE:
NAME OF INSTITUTE/PROFESSIONAL BODY:
MEMBERSHIP TYPE:
NAME OF INSTITUTE/PROFESSIONAL BODY:
MEMBERSHIP TYPE:
PERSONAL STATEMENT
Detail how your knowledge, skills and experience will enable you to fulfil the requirements of the post. Please refer to the job description and person specification when completing this section. You can also include details of any voluntary activities or interests, as well as any other relevant information you would like us to consider in support of your application.
PLEASE DO NOT EXCEED 2 SIDES OF A4 IN LENGTH.
REFERENCES
Please give details of TWO people who can confirm your suitability for this role. This should include your present/most recent employer and they must not be related to you in any personal capacity (e.g. friends or family members). We will only approach referees if you are offered the post.
TITLE: / SURNAME: / FORENAME(S):
JOB TITLE:
ADDRESS (including postcode):
DAYTIME TELEPHONE NUMBER: / EVENING TELEPHONE NUMBER:
EMAIL ADDRESS:
CAPACITY IN WHICH KNOWN TO YOU:
TITLE: / SURNAME: / FORENAME(S):
JOB TITLE:
ADDRESS (including postcode):
DAYTIME TELEPHONE NUMBER: / EVENING TELEPHONE NUMBER:
EMAIL ADDRESS:
CAPACITY IN WHICH KNOWN TO YOU:
DECLARATION
  • I confirm that, to the best of my knowledge, the information on this form is correct.
  • I accept that if any of the enclosed information is found to be untrue after my appointment, I may be liable for dismissal without notice.
  • I authorise you to contact the references listed on this form and make any other checks deemed appropriate once an offer of employment is made.
  • I am aware that the information given will be processed and stored by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and I have the right to view any personal data held about me (upon written request and payment of an administration fee).

NAME (PLEASE PRINT):
SIGNATURE:
DATE:

Please also complete and return the separate Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form below.