JOB DESCRIPTION

Beaver Project Officer

Accountable to

Welsh Beaver Project Steering Group and Project Manager

Responsible for

Development and delivery of the Welsh Beaver Project

Area covered

Wales (Based at Radnorshire Wildlife Trust, Llandrindod Wells, Powys)

Job context

The Welsh Beaver Project is led by the Wildlife Trusts in Wales. It aims to deliver a managed reintroduction of beavers to Wales within the next two years. Much work has already been undertaken including: catchment surveys and related reports; the creation of a website and printed information; public engagement and liaison with stakeholders. The final stages of the process now need to be carried out and a Project Officer is required to help deliver this work, which includes the identification of release sites, engagement with stakeholders, the establishment of a network of volunteers, and the development and submission of a licence to Natural Resources Wales to undertake a managed release of beavers to the wild in Wales.

Purpose of post

To coordinate, deliver and help progress the Welsh Beaver Project as agreed and directed by the Project Steering Group and outlined below.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

·  Undertake engagement and liaison with key stakeholders including land owners, fisheries interests; public bodies, voluntary sector organisations.

·  Identify at least one suitable site in Wales for the managed release of beavers to the wild.

·  Develop and submit a licence application to Natural Resources Wales for the reintroduction of beavers to Wales.

·  Collaborate with Wildwood and other key partners regarding the release of beavers.

·  Undertake liaison with Welsh universities to explore and develop scientific study opportunities with an aim to create a programme of surveillance and monitoring.

·  To initiate a Beaver Volunteer Network to deal with land-use issues that might arise as a result of beaver activity.

·  To secure funding from a wide variety of sources for public engagement activities including educational materials, as well as beaver management equipment and sundry items.

·  To develop a public engagement programme.

·  Manage project budgets to ensure timely and effective delivery of project outcomes.

·  Produce reports as required for project partners and funders.

·  Promote the project through the project website, local press, radio and television, events and other mechanisms.

·  As appropriate, help to develop the project and work to secure funding to enable its continuation into the future.

·  Undertake other duties and responsibilities as appropriate and consistent with the objectives of the post and the Wildlife Trusts.

GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Salary: £ 22,226 per annum

Pension: 6% of salary

Expenses: Expenses incurred will be paid

Hours of work: 35 hrs per week

Start date: Commencing as soon as possible

Holidays: 24 days per year plus Bank Holidays

Experience / Essential / Desirable
Degree in environmental subject or equivalent experience / 
A good knowledge of beavers, and their effects / 
Project coordination and delivery including budget management or similar experience / Ö
Developing and submitting grant and species licencing applications / 
Report writing and production of professional documents / 
Engaging and communicating with communities and a diverse range of people, including farmers, landowners and anglers / 
Working with volunteers / 
Negotiation with government ministers, civil servants, agencies, public bodies and representative organisations such as farming unions and river trusts / 
Knowledge
Risk assessment and safe working practices / Ö
Broad working knowledge of wildlife habitats and species / Ö
Ability to speak Welsh / Ö
The role of key organisations in the environmental sector / Ö
Other
Full driving licence
(NB: Wildlife Trust vehicles may be available for use but candidates will need to rely on their own vehicles) / Ö
Computer literate (esp. Word, Excel, Outlook) / Ö
Essential Personal attributes
Ability to maintain high levels of enthusiasm and self-motivation
Ability to work on own initiative and cooperate as part of a team
Integrity, tact and diplomacy, particularly in dealing with people
Mature, flexible approach to work