Background

The Wyre Rivers Trust is a registered charity that has been in operation for several years for the purpose of improving the ecological status of the river Wyre and its catchment.

Founded by three Angling clubs and supported by many community groups the Trust has carried out works within the catchment by volunteers and contractors to improve spawning conditions and habitat improvements for the benefit of migratory fish, coarse fish and eels. In 2013 the Wyre Rivers Trust became host of the Wyre Waters Catchment Partnership and begun to deliver works on the catchment scale with a wide range of benefits for the Wyre catchment.

More recently the trust has become more successful in securing funding for a number of projects which will be delivered throughout the Wyre catchment. The projects focus on a wide range of issues which include biodiversity, water quality, natural flood management, habitat creation and habitat connectivity. The trust has recently created its integrated catchment plan, which contains a comprehensive list of priorities within the Wyre catchment, these have been reviewed and agreed by our partners. It is expected that in their day-to-day role the Science Officer will support the delivery of this plan, identification of any gaps within it and a return of natural processes to the watercourses of the Wyre catchment.

Due to its success the Trust now seeks to grow its scope and scale by employing a fourth member of staff to develop, deliver and monitor its project delivery and catchment partnership. The delivery catchment resilience measures across the Wyre is seen as one of the crucial mechanisms to manage flood risk to the small towns and villages which are situated in the Wyre catchment.

The role will be home based in the north Lancashire area, but the candidate will be expected to work across the catchment and hot desk at the offices of various partners. The post will report to the Wyre Rivers Trust General Manager and Chairman.

REPORTS TO: Trust Chairman Via General Manager

HOURS: 37.5 Hours Per Week

LENGTH OF CONTRACT: 24 Months

SALARY: Circa £22,000.00 per annum

Job Purpose:

To successfully deliver the various aspects of the projects which you are assigned, this includes but is not limited to; working with partners and to develop working relationships, evaluation of the Integrated Catchment Plan (ICP) for the Wyre, identifying gaps within the ICP, development of project ideas and plans, assisting the Conservation and Engagement Officer in the delivery of an ambitious programme of education and engagement for the catchment and reporting the progress of works to the general manager, Wyre Waters Catchment Partnership and project funders.

Person Description:

The successful candidate will be a recent graduate and an exceptional self-starter with a vision and passion for ensuring that greater value is placed on the River Wyre becoming cleaner and healthier environment. They must be a good communicator with a passion for conservation and knowledge of freshwater and estuarine environments. The candidate must also have a good knowledge of river restoration and catchment resilience techniques, education and engagement within communities and schools, a will to develop new and novel projects and to work with partners. The candidate will also be required to deliver detailed reports and gap analyses and will need to have a good understanding data recording, storage (in accordance with relevant legislation) and its use to develop projects for funding bids.

Responsibilities:

• To report to the Wyre RT General Manager
• To report the day-to-day delivery to the Wyre RT General Manager and prepare reports for programme sponsors
• To work with new and existing partners to develop working relationships.
• To ensure that project plans are adhered to and that the works are delivered in accordance with all relevant legislation and the aims of the relevant project.
• Work in close conjunction with partners and community groups to evaluate opportunities for multiple benefit projects within the Wyre catchment.
• Use data and information to inform the development of project plans.
• To collate data and information from various authorities which will add to the baseline data to act as a starting point for improving water quality, water quantity, habitat quality, connectivity and increasing biodiversity in and around the River Wyre and its associated coastal waters.
• To work with the Wyre RT General Manager to develop funding bids relating to project plans which have been developed.
• To work with the Wyre RT Conservation and Engagement Officer to deliver an ambitious programme of Education and Engagement within the Wyre Catchment.
• To undertake relevant safeguarding training for work with children and adults at risk.

The Wyre Rivers Trust will provide the successful candidate with;

• Mileage allowances for the candidates own vehicle whilst being used for trust business, this will be paid at the agreed public sector rate (0.45p/mile)
• A laptop computer, printer and a mobile phone will be provided for trust business, to be returned upon termination of the employment contract.

Individual Requirements:

Essential:

• Minimum degree level qualification in aquatic environmental science, conservation management or similar degree.
• An understanding of aquatic (river, estuarine and marine) survey techniques.
• Good presentation and interpretation skills with the ability to get complex information across simply and concisely to a wide range of audiences.
• Possessing good inter-personal skills, both face to face and over the phone.
• Self-starter able to work on their own without day-to-day supervision.
• Reliability, good attendance and work performance.
• Excellent organisational and administrational skills with the necessary attention to detail.
• Good IT skills to include record keeping, filing and have the awareness of confidentiality and general data protection rules.
• Valid driving licence and full access to a vehicle which is insured for business use.
• A passion for the restoration and conservation of catchments and the flora and fauna which reside within them.

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check at an enhanced level.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of the project area.
• Based near the project area.
• GIS skills.
• Experience of working with landowners.
• Experience of working on large landscape-scale projects.

Please send a completed application form and a covering letter to [email protected]

Closing date for applications: Monday 12th April 2021