Tees Valley Wildlife Trust
Location: Margrove Park, near Guisborough
Salary: £19,500
This project is an exciting opportunity to deliver regional bat surveys on a landscape scale in East Cleveland. Based in East Cleveland you will be responsible for designing and implementing surveys, with volunteer support, to determine the distributions of different bat species and how they use the landscape to roost, forage and commute. You will use this information to develop a medium term plan for bat conservation in the region and to identify key conservations actions.
You will develop and implement a programme of events to involve local communities in bat conservation, providing new opportunities for people to explore the bats on their doorstep, participate in wildlife recording and help with active species monitoring. You will also be responsible for establishing a new Bat Group for East Cleveland and adjacent areas.
Duties include providing advice to land and property owners on roosts and roost monitoring, managing contractors, providing training and support to volunteers, organising public events and meeting the reporting and monitoring requirements of funders.
Good knowledge of bats, survey techniques, landscape-scale conservation, experience of working with landowners and volunteers, delivery of education and outreach activities and excellent communication skills are essential.
This project is part funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Northumbrian Water Branch Out Fund.
Closing date for applications: 5.00pm 18th February 2015
Interviews will be held on 25th March 2015 at Tees Valley Wildlife Trust’s Offices at Margrove near Guisborough,
Please visit our website to download a job description and application form:
Job description
Job title: Bat Officer
Location:Tees Valley Wildlife Trust Offices, Margrove Park, Redcar and Cleveland
Salary:£19,500 per annum
Duration:Two year fixed term contract
Responsible to:People and Wildlife Manager
Responsible for:Volunteers, contractors
The Tees Valley Wildlife Trust:
The Tees Valley Wildlife Trust has worked for more than 30 years to protect the areas wildlife and wild places, and to educate, inspire and empower people though the natural world. Its mission is to create a better future for wildlife and society by connecting people with the nature around them. Our staff and volunteers deliver projects that inspire people to learn about nature by offering genuine opportunities to get actively involved in improving their local environment.
The Tees Valley Wildlife Trust is part of the influential UK-wide partnership of 47 Wildlife Trusts.
Job purpose
The principle purpose of the post is to manage and deliver the East Cleveland Batscape Project. There is a further opportunity for the Officer to contribute to the delivery of the Wings of the Tees Project, which will operate along the River Tees and involves bat conservation as well work for other winged wildlife such as barn owls.
The East Cleveland Batscape Project - 4 days per week (0.8FTE)
The East Cleveland Batscape project will work to increase the appreciation and understanding of bats, and their use of the landscape, in East Cleveland. It aims to increase the skills of local people to record, monitor and become active in bat conservation. This will be achieved by involving community, youth groups and members of the public in several different field surveys to identify where bats live and commute across the East Cleveland Landscape and to identify the spatial distribution of different bat species and their association with specific habitats and landscape features.
There will be a programme of engagement with new audiences to enjoy, learn and care for this unique element of their local biodiversity through a tailored programme of walks, talks and events.
This project is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Northumbrian Water.
Wings of the Tees Project – up to 1 day per week (0.2 FTE)
The Wings of the Tees project is one of a programme of projects developed by the River Tees Rediscovered Landscape Partnership. The project will involve local communities in surveys and conservation activities for winged wildlife along the River Tees including bats, barn owls and dragonflies. The project will engage volunteers in wildlife recording and monitoring and will then assess theopportunities for habitat improvements such as providing nesting boxes in areas of suitable habitat and giving advice and guidance to riparian landowners on habitat management.
This project is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund
Principle duties and responsibilities
- To develop and deliver a programme of surveys and activities to collect records of bats, their distribution and use of the landscape
- To collate survey information and other bat records producing a report and maps on species/group distribution and landscape use to focus future targeting of conservation effort
- To engage new, and support existing, volunteers through capacity building and training programmes in survey methods, use of detectors, bat call identification and sound analysis so they are able to play a greater role in the conservation of bats
- To provide landowners and property owners with targeted advice for bat roosts and roost monitoring
- To communicate with landowners and project partners, giving advice on habitat management and conservation opportunities
- To communicate and promote the project including development and management of web pages, e-bulletins, exhibits and use of social media
- To devise, promote and deliver events, walks and talks designed to change people’s attitudes to bats and build greater awareness and appreciation of bat conservation
- To facilitate the formation of an East Cleveland Bat Group and devise a medium to long term plan for bat conservation
- To ensure that projects outputs and outcomes including project evaluation are delivered, monitored and reported on time and to budget.
- To comply with the policies and procedures of the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust, particularly with regard to Health and Safety, Risk Assessment and Working with Children and Vulnerable Adults
- To undertake other areas of work appropriate to your skills and experience as requested by your line manager
Person profile
Technical/specialist skills / Essential / DesirableCompetent field naturalist with a good understanding of ecological survey techniques, ecological processes monitoring and recording /
A good understanding of the ecology of bats /
Competent in the use of sound analysis software to identify bat species/groups /
A degree in biological, environmental, or rural land use science, or equivalent experience /
Hold a relevant bat licence /
At least three years relevant experience /
Full driving licence, car insurance for business use and use of a vehicle /
Experience of training others and/or leading workshops /
The ability to use IT applications including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, PowerPoint, databases and GIS /
Data management experience (data recording, comparison, analysis and presentation of findings) /
Experience with communications e.g. development of websites, social media, leaflets, other interpretation material and liaison with press /
Experience of organising and delivering wildlife walks, talks and events /
Budgets and project management
Experience of budget management /
Experience of delivering grant funded work /
Experience of project management /
Dealing with volunteers/managing external parties and others
Experience of overseeing contractors /
Experience of working with volunteers, partner organisations and the general public to build rapport and maintain effective relationships /
Ability to communicate with a wide range of individuals ranging from landowners, community groups, volunteers, youth groups, schools and external organisations /
Good written, spoken communication and presentation skills /
Personal attributes
Enthusiasm for and knowledge of wildlife, nature conservation and environmental issues /
Well organised, self motivated; able to plan and undertake work on your own (or with limited direct supervision) /
Able to prioritise a diverse workload, meet tight deadlines and use own initiative /
Analytical and methodical, with a high degree of accuracy /
Flexible: able to rapidly assimilate information and adapt to a changing environment /
Able to work effectively as a member of a team /
Pragmatic, innovative, enthusiastic and able to motivate others /
Able to manage potential conflicts by dealing with people in a calm and professional manager /
Flexible approach to working hours. Willing to work weekends and evenings as required /
Empathy with the aims and objectives of the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust /
Main conditions of employment
Job title:Bat Officer
Employment start date:
Place of work:Tees Valley Wildlife Trust, Margrove Park, Redcar and Cleveland with travel throughout East Cleveland and the Tees Valley
Salary:£19,500
Pension:The Officer isentitled to join the TVWTs’ pension scheme (minimum contribution 2% of salary) and will receive up to 5% employer’s contribution.
Probationary period:This post is subject to a two month probationary period
Duration:Fixed term two year contract
Hours:By combining two projects (the East Cleveland Batscape Project and Wings of the Tees) the Trust is able to offer a full-time (37.5 hours per week) position. However, due to the range of activities and skills required in different areas, the Trust would be very interested in receiving applications from people wishing to work part-time or as part of a job share and contributing to either or both projects.
Annual leaveThe annual leave entitlement is 22 days per annum (pro rata for part time) plus statutory public holidays.
Use of vehicleCosts of own vehicle use may be claimed at the prevailing TVWT mileage rate
Closing date:The closing date for receipt of completed applications for this position is 18 February2015
Interview date:Interviews will be held on 25 February 2015 at the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust Offices, Margrove Park, Redcar and Cleveland TS12 3BZ
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