Part-time Project Officer - High Weald National Landscape (Self-employed)

Hours: Equivalent to 72 days in the period to 31/3/26, at least 24 days in the period 1/4/26 - 31/3/27.

Job Overview

The Waterlife Recovery Trust seeks a suitably qualified person for a part-time, self-employed Project Officer post in the High Weald National Landscape, starting as soon as possible and ending on 31 March 2027. The post is part funded by the High Weald National Landscape through the Farming in Protected landscapes (FiPL) scheme. If follow-on funding is secured, as expected, the post may be renewable. The purpose of the project is to remove invasive American mink from the High Weald, to protect endangered water voles and other native wildlife and allow their populations to recover. The post-holder will work in close collaboration with a full-time Project Officer (PO) covering the same area to develop a mink trapping network using ‘smart’ mink traps monitored by volunteers. The project will use adaptive management techniques to maximise efficiency and effectiveness. The ‘best practice’ for humane mink trapping is detailed on the WRT website (www.waterliferecoverytrust.org.uk).

The post will be home-based in an appropriate location, within or very close to the High Weald National Landscape. The successful candidate will be expected to use their own vehicle for travel and moving trapping equipment. Flexibility in working hours will be key; this is not a 9-5 weekday office job. Some weeks will be much busier than others. At least a few minutes of work may be needed every day, including at weekends, to support volunteers, ensure that our work is always carried out to the highest animal welfare standards and keep our database fully up to date. All necessary training will be provided.

Responsibilities and duties

• Develop a smart trapping network across the project area.
• Seek, recruit and inspire new volunteers to protect water voles and other wildlife by managing smart traps in their local area.
• Distribute mink rafts, cage traps and automated trap monitors and support volunteers in their safe and humane use.
• Use an air rifle to dispatch cage trapped mink humanely.
• Collect mink carcasses, take measurements and tissue samples for DNA analysis.
• Accurately record data about trap locations and details of trapped mink and promptly upload those data to the project's database.
• Travel throughout the area to deliver equipment and liaise with volunteers.
• Keep in contact with volunteers by telephone, email and in person.
• Provide advice to help volunteers operate safely.
• Provide written reports and feedback as requested.
• Build awareness of the damage caused by American mink to native wildlife.
• Be an ambassador for the humane eradication of mink.

Personal specification

Essential criteria:

• Own transport, with business use insurance and full driving licence.
• Physically fit.
• Good attention to detail.
• An appropriate home location to deliver the project effectively.
• A good ‘team player’ with the ability to communicate and build good relationships with a wide range of partners, volunteers and landowners.
• Flexible, enthusiastic and self-motivated: able to work unsupervised, reliably delivering the requirements of a project.
• Desire to foster continual improvement within the project.
• Prepared to work out of doors, alone in the countryside and at weekends and outside standard office hours.
• Willing to humanely dispatch trapped mink.
• Degree in environmental subject or good wildlife knowledge and passion for conservation.
• Comfortable with the use of IT.
• Available to start in June or July 2025.

Desirable criteria:

• Experience in the safe use of air guns and other weapons.
• Practical experience of the control of mink or other invasive species.
• A knowledge of wildlife, farming and country pursuits.

Remuneration:

Payment will be at a rate of £175 per 8-hour day pro-rata, to include the first 50 miles of travel on that day. A mileage rate will be paid above that. You will need to invoice monthly for your time and supply a supporting timesheet and expense claim. You will be responsible for your own self-assessment tax.

Probationary period: 3 months