Conservation Advisor - Dartmoor Moorland

Job Description

Are you a great communicator with a passion for nature and a good grasp of upland management? If so, this role is an exciting opportunity to work with the farming community, partner organisations and volunteers in Dartmoor National Park.

The RSPB is a partner in the National Lottery Heritage Fund project ‘Dartmoor’s Dynamic Landscapes’ aimed at restoring nature, protecting our heritage and supporting Dartmoor’s communities. The project will focus on the habitats of three river catchments including bogs of the high moor, grasslands, upland heath and wooded valleys.

An essential outcome of the Dartmoor’s Dynamic Landscapes project is understanding existing methods and developing new ways to collect ecological information. This will be trialled for birds and their habitats, reviewing and sharing learning to establish best practices. Results will be available for land managers needing this information for future ELM and green finance initiatives.

What's the role about?

We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic conservation adviser to develop and test a species monitoring programme, to capture and share information on priority birds and the habitats they depend on. Our focus will be on moorland habitats, most of which is common land.

You will be liaising with local farmers, landowners and partner organisations over the establishment of survey routes and developing a network of volunteer surveyors. Our aim is to set up a way of collecting and sharing species data that is repeatable into the future, accessible and supports action for nature recovery. Providing detailed and Dartmoor site-specific advice on the needs of these species is a key part of the role.

This post is for one year as part of the development phase, but there is potential for extension into the delivery phase.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• In-depth knowledge of the birds and habitats of moorland
• Excellent bird identification skills relevant to moorlands and experience of breeding bird survey using standard methodologies e.g. BBS or CBC
• A good understanding of moorland management practices, including commons
• Proven experience of working with farmers and land managers to achieve conservation outcomes
• Experience of working in a team and/or with volunteers
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Competent user of core MS programmes including Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Sharepoint and Teams.
• This role will involve lone working and fieldwork in remote moorland locations and will require occasional weekend and evening working.
• This role will involve driving on RSPB business.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Working experience of agri-environment schemes and their application
• Knowledge of the moorlands and farmland of Dartmoor
• Experience of productive partnership working
• Competency in use of GIS

Additional Information

This is a part-time (22.5 hours) 1-year contract - 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 are looking to conduct interviews for this position from mid/late June. For further information please contact - helen.booker@rspb.org.uk

As part of this application process, you will be asked to upload a CV and complete an application form, where you will have the opportunity to explain how you meet the criteria set above.

This role will require the completion of a DBS/PVG/Access NI in addition to the standard pre-employment checks.

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 on nature's side and more diverse people. People of colour and disabled people are underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sectors. If you identify as a person of colour and 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 eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship / 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.

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.