Do you have skills in monitoring, evidence gathering and data management you want to use to help us plan large-scale nature recovery for a generation? 

Cumbria Connect is developing a Landscape Recovery Scheme in the eastern Lake District encompassing land from Penrith to Kendal along a broad geographical corridor we’re calling the Penrith2Kendal Arc. In collaboration with more than 30 land managers we aim to recover nature across 14,500ha of habitats that include upland heath, blanket bog, rivers and floodplain, woodland and scrub, wetlands, semi-improved and unimproved grassland including hay meadows.

The Landscape Recovery Data Officer will be an essential member of the Penrith2Kendal Arc Landscape Recovery team, working closely with the project ecologist, nature recovery leads and farm advisors to provide dedicated support with GIS, biological and historical data and information management. You will play a key role in the development of the project’s Land Management and Monitoring & Evaluation Plans.

Utilising your skills and keen interest in environmental data collection and monitoring, you will lead on creating project monitoring strategies and delivering detailed monitoring on the ground.  You will have an eye for detail to help you deliver excellent reporting. Due to the large scale of the Penrith2Kendal Arc Landscape Recovery Project, an innovative approach to baselining and monitoring will be needed, likely with some requirement for remote sensing and use of new technologies to assess habitat change.

Essential Skills, Knowledge and Experience:

• A degree in an environmental, hydrology, or science related discipline or equivalent industry experience. 
• Proven ability in the use of GIS to display and analyse environmental data.
• Broad understanding of environmental data management and associated computer software.
• Knowledge of structured biological recording schemes and survey methods.
• Able to think creatively and design new ways to apply data to tackle environmental problems.
• Experience of using or knowledge of technology for wildlife monitoring in the field.
• Good wildlife knowledge and the ability to identify a wide range of species in the field. 
• Excellent level of IT skills (MS Outlook, Word, Excel and Powerpoint). 
• Experience of using spreadsheets to manipulate data. 

Desirable Skills, Knowledge, Experience:

• Post-graduate qualifications in a relevant subject.
• Familiar with the classification and identification of species in one or more taxonomic species groups such as birds, plants or invertebrates, or familiar with classifying habitats for at least one habitat classification such as Phase 1, NVC or EUNIS. 
• Experience of remote sensing or other new technologies for large scale monitoring. 
• Experience of hydrological monitoring and modelling.
• Experience working with Biodiversity Net Gain metrics or Woodland or Peatland Carbon Code. 
• A knowledge of geomorphological processes and river management techniques, hydrology, water quality, carbon and habitat surveying. 
• Experience managing contracts, procurement processes and budgets/financial management. 

Additional Information:

The role is full-time for 37.5 hours per week, fixed term for the development phase of the scheme until 30 April 2026, with a possibility for extension subject to a successful application. 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.

Application deadline: Wednesday 22 May 2024, 23:59.

Interview date: Week commencing 3 June 2024.

For an informal chat about the role please contact Martin Varley, phone 07568 116392 or email - martin.varley@rspb.org.uk.

As part of this application you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete a short form. If you wish to provide a cover letter with your application, please include this at the end of your CV document upload.

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.

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.