Introduction

The Wye & Usk Foundation is a registered charity (no. 1080319) concerned with the ecology and more specifically, restoring the habitat, water quality and fisheries of the rivers Wye and Usk.

We are the largest rivers' trust in England and Wales in terms of output and a leader in our field, developing new techniques and delivering improvements for the aquatic environment and wider catchment. As we have developed the need to gather and analyse data to better deliver actions has grown. We are looking for someone to help us do this.

The role:

Full time position 37.5hrs/week,

We are seeking an ambitious, energetic and qualified professional to enhance our existing fishery science capabilities, knowledge and output on a full time basis.

The role will be varied and will involve working in the field and in our offices at Talgarth (some home working the during COVID crisis). It will involve a combination of research, field work, data collection and analysis and project management. The successful candidate will be responsible for identifying the need for scientific projects before working with the team to devise, fund and delivering them.

Reporting directly to Chief Executive, we are offering the chance to build a new, specialised department within the Foundation and progress our fisheries science work to a new level.

Specific Duties:

• Devise, research, develop and manage scientific projects focused predominantly on river ecology and fish.
• Provide scientific expertise on fisheries and biology within the Foundation for other projects and departments.
• Work with WUF’s citizen science programme to enhance data collection and engagement.
• Work closely with data and monitoring department to analyse and interpret their results, providing expertise and focus for their work and other WUF departments.
• Work closely with other WUF departments, especially farm advisory, habitat team, natural capital, marketing, PR/Comms, education and fundraising, providing expertise and advice to each to ensure their activities are compliant with legislation and best practice.
• Become focal point for both internal and external technical fisheries enquires.
• Work closely with statutory authorities to identify areas of work and funding, ensuring WUF projects are synergistic with government priorities, and WUF’s objectives. 
• Work closely with other rivers trusts and similar organisations.

The candidate:

The successful candidate will be able to manage multiple contiguous projects from inception to completion, keeping within deadlines and budgets. They will be knowledgeable of and abreast of current best practice and advances in fisheries science and be able to implement and apply them into the Foundation’s day-to-day activities.

Applicants will also need to demonstrate an excellent understanding of all relevant environmental and fisheries legislation, and its application to WUF’s work.

We will be looking for an excellent verbal and written communicator, someone who is able to interact with a wide variety of staff and external contacts. They will also need to be able to lead a team.

We will also be looking for someone who is industrious, practical, analytical, flexible, energetic and proactive. They will need to be self-motivating, able to work on their own and as part of a team. A sense of pride in and responsibility for your work are paramount.

Skills/experience:

Essential:

• Minimum of a 2.1 BSc. degree that included freshwater fisheries science, freshwater biology or environmental science.
• At least 2 years work experience in this field, preferably within a river ecology environment.
• Experience of running scientific projects successfully from inception right through to completio
• Excellent I.T. skills with proficiency in MS Office software and ARCGIS.

Desirable:

Some team leading experience

What we offer:

• Salary starting at £21,712 - £27,000 (depending on applicant). Potential to grow role and department.
• Pension
• Life assurance
• Chance to work in the front line of fisheries, conservation with a dynamic and rapidly expanding organisation dedicated to delivering positive results for the rivers and wider environment.

To Apply

Please send a CV and covering letter to [email protected] by 5pm of the 20th January 2021.