The Rivers Trust is a leading environmental charity and the umbrella body of The Rivers Trust movement, comprising over 60 independent local charities across the UK and Ireland. Our vision is for wild, healthy, natural rivers valued by all. We are at a critical point in our history as we expand to deliver projects to protect and replenish this critical part of the natural environment. Our research and expertise are now needed more urgently than ever as water quality and supply move up the public agenda.
The island of Ireland is the fastest-growing area of the rivers trust movement, and as part of what will be a major team expansion across the island of Ireland in 2023, we are looking for to recruit a Woodlands for Water Officer in a project collaboration with the Woodland Trust.
We are looking for a collaborative and pro-active individual to advise and lead on the identification of opportunities for, and the establishment of, ‘hydrologically useful’ tree planting and woodland creation in a number of river catchments across Northern Ireland and in the border-counties of Ireland.
Working alongside our team of Farm Advisors, this role will support farmers and landowners in the creation of new woodlands, ensuring that planting takes place in appropriate locations. It will also advise on and assist with funding applications for landowners, including to the Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs (DAERA) Forestry Grants.
Working with various partners, strategic tree planting will protect and enhance the quality of some of Northern Ireland’s and Ireland’s border counties’ rivers to increase climate resilience and support the recovery of biodiversity, by improving the connectivity of habitat along our river valleys; reducing the effects of diffuse pollution; and providing Natural Flood Management (NFM) and the storage of carbon.
This is a brand new role in The Rivers Trust’s operations on the island of Ireland and an exciting opportunity to join a growing team, helping to make a meaningful contribution to environmental protection and improvement.
The successful candidate will live and work in Northern Ireland. It’s a full-time, home-based role, though the job holder will need to be able to make regular visits to stakeholders including in remote areas. There is flexibility around working hours and time off in lieu is also available. We are happy to make adjustments for people with disabilities and/or caring responsibilities, and we welcome applications from all communities.
Key responsibilities include:
- Identifying prospective landowners and partners with land suitable for tree planting, creating opportunities to expand tree cover in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.
- Working with our Farm Advisors in The Rivers Trust and in the local rivers trusts, to integrate tree planting opportunities into over 300 existing farm-scale management plans and further new plans being developed.
- Creating 70 hectares of new woodland, wooded areas and riparian strips (~100,000 trees) per year across selected catchments, achieving woodland creation, riparian planting, and engagement targets.
- Supporting landowners in accessing grants for woodland creation and management.
- Collating data on carbon offset/storage potential per catchment/per year and explore developing tree/woodland carbon storage calculations at a farm scale.
- Undertaking engagement and knowledge transfer activities with landowners, communities, schools and rivers trusts to raise awareness about tree planting and water quality.
- Managing contractors and volunteers on tree planting projects.
- Working with our GIS Analyst to collate and map tree planting and woodland creation data.
- Collating monitoring information on programme activity and its effects as required.
- Keeping records and produce reports for the project partners and funders as required.
- Preparing funding/grant applications by The Rivers Trust and Woodland Trust where required.
The salary for this post will be £26,560 – £28,773 per year.
(Please note this is based on the Grade 3 of our pay system – we may offer a higher salary within the grade in exceptional circumstances, based on skills and experience.)
To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter highlighting how you meet all of the following criteria:
- A minimum of four years relevant experience in developing native woodland creation, tree planting projects, and woodland/tree maintenance
OR
- HND/Degree level qualification in one or more of the following: woodland, forestry, land, or farm management; environmental science or environmental management, agriculture, AND one year’s relevant experience in successfully carrying out developing native woodland creation, tree planting projects, and woodland/tree maintenance.
- A minimum of GCSE passes or equivalent in English and Maths.
- Previous experience in project planning, preparing reports, collating monitoring information, and keeping records.
- Previous experience in successfully filling out funding applications.
- Proven ability to work alone and with minimal supervision.
- Proven ability to achieve delivery through others e.g. farmers/landowners, contractors, volunteers, professional consultants, and project staff.
- Good working knowledge of farming practices.
- Sound knowledge of woodland and land management practices, as well as Agri-environment schemes and soil and water conservation.
- Good communication skills.
- Must be proficient in using computers.
- The ability to work evenings, weekends, and occasional overnight stays as required.
- A full driving licence and access to a suitable means of transport to be able to visit stakeholders including in remote areas.
The following are desirable but not essential, only include these if you have them:
- Experience using GIS (Geographic Information Systems).
- Working knowledge of a wide range of woodland creation approaches, including agro-forestry, parkland, and riparian.
- Experience in the completion and submission of forestry/woodland grant applications
- Knowledge of the topic of water-friendly farming solutions
- Experience of working with corporate partners
If you have any questions which will help you decide to apply and which aren’t answered on our website, please get in touch with Mark Horton and he’ll get back to you.
Closing Date: Sunday 18th June 2023
Interviews are planned for week commencing 26th June via Microsoft Teams.
