Cartographer, GIS and Data Technician

Clarkson & Woods Ltd. Blackford, Somerset

£27,6000 - £42,800 depending upon experience

Paid • Full or Part Time • Permanent

 www.clarksonwoods.co.uk  info@clarksonwoods.co.uk  01934 712500  Tom Clarkson or Harry Fox

Closing date: Friday, 2nd February 2024

Clarkson and Woods are looking for a skilled Cartographer, GIS and Data Technician to support our busy team of ecologists based at our office near the Mendip Hills in Somerset. This exciting opportunity has come about through our appointment on several nationally significant renewables projects as well as the expansion of Biodiversity Net Gain assessment within development proposals.

You would be joining a small but experienced GIS team within our business who are responsible for processing and digitising field survey notes, as well as leading on training and guidance of the technical teams on application of GIS. Proven team management skills would be a benefit and a leading role within the GIS team is available for the correct candidate.

The right candidate would be adept at the use of QGIS and have experience in the production of report figures derived from field survey data, such as Habitats Surveys and Bat Activity Surveys. Ideally, you would also be familiar with the use of GIS in measuring Biodiversity Net Gain or the use of mobile, field-based mapping applications such as QField, Survey123, Coreo or Collector.

Depending on your skills and interests, the role would also ideally involve working alongside our ecologists to assist in the management of incoming field survey data, as well as the use of automated bat call analysis software such as Wildlife Acoustics’ Kaleidoscope Pro, for which full training would be provided. Similarly we have recently acquired a drone to assist in our field survey work and part of the role for the successful candidate would be to develop protocols to help integrate use of the drone into our field survey work. 

The role also encompasses exploration of opportunities for better integration of IT and GIS into our fieldwork and project management workflow. There will be learning opportunities for shadowing and assisting our ecologists in the field to better understand how we work and the needs of our projects – an interest in British wildlife is a plus!

In addition, as we keep a comprehensive GIS database of all field survey data we collect which is used to supplement our reports and is shared with local environmental records centres, the role would encompass the management of this database. 

We have revised our office space to accommodate a mixed home and office-based working pattern for all staff. We would currently expect attendance at the office for at least 2 days per week.

A little bit about ourselves:

Clarkson and Woods is a highly-regarded ecological consultancy having been established for over 20 years, operating mainly in southern England and Wales. We advise clients mainly from the housing, renewables and infrastructure sectors on all legal and planning aspects relating to protected species, habitats and sites. In 2019, we won Medium-Sized Consultancy of the Year at the CIEEM Awards and were commended in 2023 in the same category.

Benefits of working for us:

We offer a friendly, supportive and well-equipped work environment, with employee wellbeing and continuing professional development at the heart of our ethos. We offer both paid overtime and time off in lieu as well as a generous annual leave allowance. We are also very proud to have trialled, and now implemented, a company-wide 4-day week where staff typically work four 8hr days for full pay. We take pride in providing a comprehensive training programme each year which includes guest lectures, workshops and practical field based training sessions which all staff are encouraged to attend, and opportunities for shadowing our staff on projects which interest you. We typically organise summer and Christmas parties as well as other socials from time to time which have included visits to Lundy Island and Bristol Old Vic Theatre.

Successful applicants should also have the following:

• A good degree in an appropriate discipline, ideally GIS, environmental science, ecology or similar. An HND or equivalent qualification in a relevant field would also be considered.
• Ideally experience of QGIS, although full training can be provided if candidates have experience using different software such as ArcGIS.
• Good organisational abilities, and be able to prioritise work and meet tight deadlines.
• Excellent workplace IT skills.
• Candidates must be able to communicate well and work as a team, whilst also have the confidence to work autonomously and develop this new and exciting role.
• Knowledge of web-mapping or mobile GIS data collection apps highly desirable.
• Familiarity with the use of drones, thermal/infrared imaging cameras and acoustic monitoring systems would be a bonus. 
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability review and improve systems and procedures.
• Given our rural office location your own transport is a necessity.

If you are interested in this opportunity please send a CV and covering letter to info@clarksonwoods.co.uk . Please save your CV and covering letter with your own name or initials in the filename and please ensure you put “C&W GIS Role” in your email subject line to aid collation of applications.

If you have any further questions please call the office and ask to speak to Harry Fox or Tom Clarkson – 01934 712500.