Conservation Monitoring Officer

This role is part of North Pennines Landscape Connections. North Pennines Landscape Connections is a programme of work aimed at helping farmers and land managers work together to make the most of the new funding schemes which will help Nature Recovery and business resilience. The programme aims to support farmer hosts to develop relationships with groups and individuals who have previously struggled to access the countryside, and to build an active network of participants to support this. The Programme is NHLF funded, lead by the North Pennines National Landscape team. RSPB are partners in the Programme.

What's the role about? 

We are looking for an individual skilled in bird survey techniques (especially waders) and experienced working with volunteers, to run and further develop an existing programme of wader monitoring on in-bye sites across the North Pennines and support further monitoring for North Pennines Landscape Connections.

The post holder will be employed and line-manged by RSPB but will work closely with all organisations involved in North Pennines Landscape Connections, particularly Conservation Officers and Farming and Nature Advisors, and the Data, Monitoring and Citizen Science Officer employed by the North Pennines National Landscape team.

The place of work is to be home based within the project area (The North Pennines National Landscape)

Main duties

• Working with the RSPB Senior Conservation Officer, Conservation Officer and Conservation Advisor, you will familiarise yourself with the history of RSPB wader monitoring across the North Pennines and ensure all existing data is accurately processed and stored.
• For the 2026 field season, take a lead on the existing set of in-bye surveys - planning the next rotation of surveys, farmer liaison, managing and training of volunteers, carrying out surveys, GIS mapping of data, production of results and reporting.
• To grow and train a larger volunteer team to survey a greater area linked to the farm groups developed during the North Pennines Landscape Connections Programme.
• To scope developing the surveys further to include productivity data on waders, particularly Curlew.
• To scope out and consider developing surveys for other bird species relevant to North Pennines Landscape Connections e.g. Ring Ouzel, Whinchat and Black Grouse
• To scope out the potential for community volunteers local to survey sites assisting with interventions relevant to increasing wader productivity - e.g. farmer liaison, vegetation cutting, cameras on nests and nest fencing etc, where appropriate.
• To scope out the use of novel technology to assist in monitoring of waders.
• To Support Farm Advisors and other members of the team with data supply and mapping and any additional surveys required, as needed
• Support farmers to record wildlife and other environmental data on their farms and to become part of a citizen science network
• To work closely with staff associated with the project and provide input to the Data Working Group.
• To undertake other duties as required, consistent with the responsibility level of the post, as directed by the Senior Conservation Officer.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience: 

• Higher level qualification in a relevant subject or ability to show equivalent work experience
• Excellent relevant bird and wildlife ecology, habitat requirements and identification.
• Knowledge of the wildlife and habitats of the operational area of this role - particularly waders in the North Pennines.
• Some knowledge of a range of delivery mechanisms for conservation work relevant to the operational area of this role e.g. agri-environment schemes.
• Good organisational and communication skills.
• Experience of working to survey, protect and/or manage important sites, species or habitats.
• Experience of managing volunteers and setting clear work priorities.
• Some experience of working with land managers e.g. farmers.
• Competency in GIS.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Ability to rapidly analyse significant quantities of information, prioritise and balance a diverse workload often to tight deadlines.
• Experience of productive partnership working.
• Specialist conservation knowledge in relevant areas - uplands

Additional Information

This is a Fixed-Term (Up to 15 Months), Full-Time role for 37.5 hours per week. 

The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

We conduct interviews for this position on 27th August. For further information please contact [email protected]

You will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.