Job description
Post of Conservation Project Officer – River Esk
Post number – CC244
Grade C (£25,119 – £27,803) Fixed Term Contract until 31 March 2025
Conservation & Climate Change Department
Responsible to Senior Catchment Restoration Officer
Work base – Helmsley
Purpose
To work closely with the River’s Team to assist in the development and delivery of prioritised conservation enhancement measures to benefit the River Esk Catchment.
Main duties and responsibilities
1. With assistance from the Senior Catchment Restoration Officer, lead on developing and delivering habitat restoration, creation of more naturally functioning rivers, improving water quality and addressing diffuse pollution in the River Esk and Coastal Streams Catchment.
2. Undertake day to day implementation of River Esk catchment strategy including: meeting with farmers and landowners; delivering conservation agreements; obtaining permissions and consents; tendering for works and managing contracts; and monitoring and maintaining relevant databases, Geographical Information Systems and other records as appropriate.
3. Develop and maintain good working relationships with farmers, land managers, partner organisations and National Park staff to promote a wider awareness and raise the overall profile of the River Esk.
4. Gain local community involvement, particularly in delivering volunteer survey and practical conservation work (for example Riverfly Monitoring surveys).
5. Support the administration of the restoration strategy by providing progress information and budgeting updates required for monitoring and evaluation, and reporting process.
6. Ensure health and safety best practice related to water activity is adopted and that all work is carried out in accordance with the Authority’s health and safety and Equalities policies.
7. Undertake structured training courses (in-house and external courses/conferences) to contribute to personal development as required.
8. Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post that the Rivers Programme Manager may reasonably request.
9. All staff are expected to attend at least two days of volunteering each year. This can be joining any volunteering task, taking part in a supertask or going on one of the director training days.
Person specification
| Qualifications | Essential | Desirable |
| Educated to degree level or equivalent in an appropriate subject such as environmental science, ecology, conservation, or rural land management | – | Yes |
| Evidence of continued professional development. | – | Yes |
| Experience and knowledge | Essential | Desirable |
| Knowledge of river processes, resource protection, and/or conservation/habitat and species management. | Yes | – |
| Experience of writing management plans, work programmes or practical land management schemes. | – | Yes |
| Experience of working in rural areas with land managers, volunteers, partner organisations or communities in developing or implementing countryside conservation projects. | Yes | – |
| Experience of working with communities/organisations with ability to enthuse and support their members about projects | Yes | – |
| An understanding of current issues facing rural areas including economic, community and cultural issues | – | Yes |
| Experience of undertaking and managing procurement processes and managing contractors/consultants. | – | Yes |
| An understanding of the special character of the North York Moors including its wildlife, landscape, history and culture. | – | Yes |
| Experience in using maps, GIS, or aerial photographs in relation to field work. | Yes | – |
| Report Writing and research skills. | Yes | – |
| Good ICT skills, including the ability to use e-mail, word processing, spreadsheet and database packages effectively | Yes | – |
| Communication skills | Essential | Desirable |
| Ability to work as part of a team to deliver shared outcomes. | Yes | – |
| Good interpersonal skills with a range of people internal to the organisation and external. | Yes | – |
| Good written and verbal skills and ability to negotiate and communicate ideas. | Yes | – |
| Able to communicate with a range of different groups, such as landowners, farmers or partner organisations. | – | Yes |
| Self-management | Essential | Desirable |
| Excellent organisational skills and self-motivation. | Yes | – |
| Able to work to tight deadlines and prioritise a diverse workload. | Yes | – |
| Able to work with limited supervision and with a high attention to detail | – | Yes |
| Ability to develop creative solutions and ideas. | – | Yes |
| Personal attributes | Essential | Desirable |
| A passion for people and landscape | Yes | – |
| Ability to appreciate political sensitivities, priorities and objectives of partner organisations and communities. | Yes | – |
| Commitment to the aims and values of the North York Moors National Park Authority. | Yes | – |
| Full clean driving licence with access to own vehicle. | Yes | – |
| Available for occasional evening and weekend work. | Yes | – |
Post of Conservation Project Officer – River Esk
Pay
The salary for a 37 hour week is in the range £25,119 – £27,803 per annum. Starting pay will be dependent on qualifications and experience.
Values
Our Values reflect the way in which we all deliver our work and interact with people. The Values are visible in our work, and we hold each other to account for them, celebrate when we demonstrate them, and use them to help us make decisions and consider our priorities.
- Proud: We are proud to be a part of an organisation that conserves, enhances and champions this spectacular landscape – each of our roles makes this possible.
- Professional: We are doers, enablers, inspirers – we uphold the highest professional standards to bring about positive change for the National Park.
- Welcoming: Inclusivity and empathy are at the heart of who we are and what we represent – the National Park is a place for all.
- Collaborative: We work positively and proactively with others to achieve our shared vision of the North York Moors.
Conditions of service
The appointment is based at the Old Vicarage, Helmsley. Hours are 9.00 am to 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday. A flexitime system is in operation.
The postholder will be eligible to join the Local Government Pension Scheme. Full details of the LGPS, together with information about how to join, will be sent to the successful applicant.
A pool car system is in operation. You, in the first instance, have access to a pool car but, in the event of its unavailability, will be reimbursed a mileage rate for use of their own vehicle for those times when it is necessary to use a private car in carrying out the official duties of the post, subject to relevant insurance including business usage.
New starters will be entitled to 25 days annual leave rising annually by one day, to 30 days after 5 years service, plus eight public holidays. The leave year runs from April to March.
The post sits within the Conservation and Climate Change Department of the Authority but will work with colleagues from across the organisation. This includes external funding and income generation, administration and financial management, planning and development management, access, interpretation, promotion and on the ground rangers and field staff, as well as a range of conservation specialists including archaeology, built heritage, nature conservation and land management.
Selection and interviews
Applications should be submitted via Webrecruit by midnight on 26 September 2023.
It is anticipated that the interviews will be held on 6 October 2023.
Further Information
If you want to have an informal discussion about this role, please contact James Caldwell, Senior Catchment Restoration Officer on 01439 772562 or email j.caldwell@northyorkmoors.org.uk
Background information about the River Esk is available on our website.
