Specialist Field Officer

How would you like to be at the cutting edge of delivering a variety of practical, land management solutions across a wide range of sensitive, protected and treasured sites throughout England? If that sounds of interest, then RSPB Ecology & Land Management may be what you have been looking for!

The Ecology and Land Management team serve as the contracting arm of the RSPB and a noted ecological consultancy within the sector. Not only do we actively support RSPB reserves where specialist work is required, but primarily provide credible, cost-effective land management solutions on third-party sites for partners, clients and landowners. The team operate as specialists in working with and on protected landscapes and operate on a thorough understanding of the natural world. We have the experience and track record to act as a one-stop solution, from planning and design through to implementation on site.

In recent years, the team has grown significantly in response to an increase in contracts and geographical scope in which we now operate. In turn, an exciting opportunity has become available for a new Specialist Field Officer to mainly work with ELM’s wetland management team.

What’s the role about?

This opportunity requires an experienced tractor/machinery operator who is capable of carrying out habitat creation and management work on some of the most important wetland sites across the UK.

You will be using a range of different machinery to deliver this work including rotary/flail toppers, cut/collect mowers, rotavators and trailers etc. The mainstay of your role will be operating one of our BOS spoil spreaders, a tractor-mounted rotary cultivator that we use to create wet features on wet grassland to create breeding wader habitat.

We are looking for a skilled, confident operator who has experience of working on wetland sites. Training will be given on the more specialized pieces of machinery as needed. You will need to be able to work remotely and independently and be able to carry out machinery maintenance and solve small mechanical problems in the field.

While on site, you will be responsible for delivering technical field conservation work to a high standard. Ensuring that objectives are met and methodologies followed. Where appropriate, you will develop and manage effective relationships with multiple landowners and managers to ensure project delivery.

You will be actively involved in the production of written programs, reports, and tender submissions.

The role requires someone who is passionate about nature and who is committed to achieving the best possible outcome in delivering land management solutions. We are looking for someone with a positive outlook who is a problem solver and has a “can do” mentality.

You will be a good team member, but also someone who can maintain motivation while working alone.

As the team are providing a professional paid service, it is highly important that you have excellent communication skills and can interact with a variety of stakeholders, clients and partners.

ELM’s wetland team work from an operational base located in the Norfolk Broads. From there we deliver work all over the UK, with the majority of our work being in the Southeast, there will also be occasional work much further afield in areas such as the Southwest, northwest and Scotland.

Essential Skills, Knowledge And Experience

• Knowledge and experience of practical habitat and estate management.
• A skilled tractor/machinery operator.
• Knowledge of servicing and maintaining vehicles, machinery and equipment to agreed standards.
• A proven track record of completing work alone and working within a varied team.
• Experience of working on wetland sites.
• Reasonable birdwatching skills.
• A full UK driving licence.

Desirable Skills, Knowledge And Experience

• Lantra or equivalent qualification in using equipment such as tractor, PA1,2,6 pesticides.
• Lantra or equivalent qualification or experience of operating other type of plant or agricultural machinery.
• Experience of carrying out biological surveys.
• Experience of staff or volunteer recruitment and line management.
• Implementing and updating health and safety records and assessments.

Additional Information

• This role will involve lone working and working in remote locations.
• This role will require some working away from home and overnight stays.
• This role will require occasional weekend, early morning and evening working.

This is a Permanent, Full-Time role for 37.5 hours per week. We are looking to conduct interviews for this position as soon as is practicable. For further information please contact [email protected]

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.

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 licensed 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.

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