Are you passionate about nature and experienced in conservation delivery for priority species and habitats? We are looking for a skilled and enthusiastic Conservation Officer to join our North East and Cumbria Area Team, to develop and deliver a range of work in The Lake District and other parts of Cumbria. 

What's the role about?

In this varied role you will be a strong advocate for nature, building positive and innovative partnerships, providing advice directly to land managers, responding to developments which threaten protected sites or species, and delivering conservation projects to help nature thrive.

The RSPB North East and Cumbria Team work across our nature reserves and Priority Landscapes. In Cumbria, the focus for a Conservation Officer would be the geographical area around RSPB Haweswater and other areas of The Lake District, as well as supporting work on the Cumbria coast and The Solway estuary. RSPB is currently very active in this area – planning, developing and delivering conservation work in Cumbria. Our reserve at Haweswater has an ambitious vision for the future www.wildhaweswater.co.uk. We are lead partners in a Landscape Recovery project and have just embarked on an ambitious Endangered Landscape Project www.endangeredlandscapes.org/project/cumbrian-lakes-and-dales with both projects working together to restore species and habitats at a landscape scale. 

The successful candidate will be a key member of the Area Team which comprises an Area Manager, Senior Conservation Officer, Conservation Officers, Conservation Advisors, Project Officers and the Reserve Teams. They will report directly to the Senior Conservation Officer and will line manage another Conservation Officer working in the same area and possibly volunteers. They will also work with additional specialists in ecology, science, communications, fundraising, policy, advocacy and project management across the wider RSPB England team, and external partners and landowners to bring about real and lasting change for nature.

The role can be home based within the area or reserve/partner office based dependent on individual circumstances and discussion. 

Essential skills, knowledge and experience: 

• Degree level qualification in a relevant subject or ability to show equivalent work experience
  
• Sufficient understanding of species and habitats; landscape scale conservation; land use and management; planning systems; relevant policy and legislation of the region or country in which this role is based to enable recommendation to senior staff of appropriate responses and interventions
• Sufficient knowledge of a range of delivery mechanisms for conservation work relevant to the operational area of this role to enable recommendation to senior staff of appropriate responses and interventions
• 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
• Experience of working to survey, protect and/or manage important sites, species or habitats
• Experience of productive partnership working
• Experience of dealing constructively with a wide range of people on complex and sometimes difficult issues
• Confident advocating a position to landowners and managers, local politicians, members and volunteers who have different views
• Understanding of the concept of landscape scale conservation and the pressures on land use in the operational area of this role

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Specialist conservation knowledge in relevant areas, such as uplands
• Experience of negotiating with the public or private sector, to deliver biodiversity benefits, through both regulatory and voluntary means, especially planning casework
• Experience of managing staff or volunteers and setting clear work priorities
• Effective project management skills

This is a permanent full-time role for 37.5 hours per week. We are looking to conduct interviews for this position on 28th July 2023 at RSPB Haweswater.  For further information please contact elisabeth.charman@rspb.org.uk.

As part of this application process you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and 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 licenced sponsor. This role is eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship.   

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