RSPB Northern Ireland are currently recruiting for a Conservation Officer for the Garron Plateau area of the Antrim Plateau. We are looking for a candidate who is self-motivated and prides themselves on delivering high standards. You will have excellent ecological skills and knowledge, particularly of wet grassland and peatland habitats and their conservation. A background in landscape scale conservation, farm advisory and nature conservation delivery mechanisms is essential, as is an in-depth knowledge of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affair’s (DAERA) Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS).

About the role

As part of the Northern Ireland Operations Team, you will deliver a range of work for priority species and habitats across the Garron Plateau landscape. In this varied role, you will provide advice directly to farmers and land managers, coordinate and undertake surveys, and help deliver conservation projects to help nature thrive across the Antrim Plateau priority landscape.

This role will sit within the East NI Area Team and reports to the Conservation Manager. You will have an important external role, building positive relationships with key partners and stakeholders so that RSPBs policies and messages are understood and furthered within relevant partnerships.

This is a fantastic opportunity to play your part in delivering RSPB’s conservation work within a landscape rich in wildlife. If this sounds like the job for you, we would love to hear from you!

You will be responsible for:

• Facilitating the RSPB Garron Plateau, Peatland, Protection & Restoration Project (a group option within EFS)
• Providing advice, training and information to local communities, landowners, land managers and land use advisers on priority species and habitats, in close liaison with other members of the Conservation Team
• Submitting quarterly and annual claims and reports to project funders and stakeholders
• Acting as an EFS planner to produce site specific remedial management plans for farmers entering the scheme
• Undertaking and overseeing species/habitat surveys and monitoring work on sites to ensure delivery of site/s objectives. This includes mapping, and the gathering & management of electronic data
• Demonstrating best practice in terms of collaboration & communication, working with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders· Managing medium and small projects using the RSPB’s Project Management Framework
• Supervising contractors to carry out work on sites safely and legally to deliver project targets
• Building positive relationships with key decision-makers, external partners and stakeholders so that RSPB’s policies and messages are understood and furthered by decision-makers and within relevant partnerships
• Manage and develop volunteers to ensure the delivery of an ambitious work programme maintaining focus on priority species and habitats

Essential Knowledge, skills and experience

• Degree level qualification in a relevant subject or ability to show equivalent work experience
• Sufficient understanding of species and habitats of the Antrim Plateau including Curlews and Hen Harriers
• Sufficient knowledge of a range of delivery mechanisms, including agri-environmental schemes such as EFS, for conservation work in the Antrim Plateau.
• Ability to work effectively as a team player both internally and in external partnerships
• Excellent communication skills (verbal, written and presentational) – including an ability to speak confidently and cogently in public to a variety of audiences
• Ability to rapidly analyse significant quantities of information, prioritise and balance a diverse workload often to tight deadlines
• Proficient at using Microsoft Office packages including Outlook, Excel & Word
• Experience of negotiating with the public or private sector, to deliver biodiversity benefits
• Experience of working to survey, protect and/or manage important sites, species or habitats
• Experience of productive partnership working

Desirable criteria:

• Experience of delivering conservation works through contractors
• Competency in the use of GIS
• Effective project management skills
• Understanding of the concept of landscape scale conservation and the pressures on land use in the operational area of this role
• Experience of delivering land management advice to farmers, landowners and key stakeholders

This is a Full-Time, fixed-term contract for 3 years (to 31st October 2027). We will be conducting interviews for this position on 11th June 2024. For all application enquiries, please contact neal.warnock@rspb.org.uk

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.

As part of this application process, you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

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