Weald to Waves – Scrubland Superheroes Project Officer

Weald to Waves: Scrubland Superheroes Project Officer

Location: Based at the Knepp Estate, Horsham, Rh13 8LJ, with provision for
hybrid working.
Salary: £25,000-30,000 pa pro rata depending on experience.
Hours: This is a part-time contract role for 3 days/week until March 2025,
with scope for flexible working hours.

The role  

This is a wonderful opportunity for an ambitious and passionate person to project-manage the
recovery of scrubland habitat across the Weald to
Waves corridor in Sussex, in preparation for one of the most exciting reintroduction
projects in the UK. Working alongside Natural England we hope to return the red-backed shrike
to southern England, a species that is effectively extinct in the UK. You will also be working
to improve habitat conditions and population numbers of key scrubland species including
nightingale, turtle dove and cuckoo. You will be working with project partners: Ashdown Forest, Iford
Estate, Kew Wakehurst, Wiston Estate,
Home Farm at the Climping Gap and the Knepp Estate –
foremost wildlife conservation and reintroduction experts in the UK.

Job Description  

The Project Officer will be responsible for all elements of the day-to-day running of the
project. This will include working with landowners to draw up habitat management plans,
implementing practical habitat work, field monitoring of key species, and working with
volunteers.

Key Work Areas  

• Summarising relevant past data on sites, landscape management and species ecology.
• Manage practical habitat works across key sites along the Weald to Waves corridor, aimed at
  increasing scrub regeneration.
• Liaising with landowners, statutory bodies, NGOs and volunteers over project development
  and land management.
• Working alongside the ex-situ work being undertaken by Natural England.
• Developing associated ecological, educational and cultural benefits through outreach
  activities and the media.
• Monitoring and evaluating project progress.
• Provide regular updates on the progress of the project to the Project Manager and partner
  sites.

Experience and Professional/Technical Expertise  

Essential

• Sound understanding of ecology and ornithology.
• Good written and spoken communication skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with a
  broad range of audiences.
• Experience of working with and engaging the public in the context of nature and nature
  conservation.
• Ornithological fieldwork skills.
• Competent in IT – Microsoft Office, website content and social media.
• Proven time management skills and organisational skills.
• Driving licence.

Desirable

• BSc or equivalent in an appropriate subject.
• Practical experience of habitat management and of developing land management plans.
• Practical experience of species reintroduction projects.
• Experience of environmental education.
• Experience of engaging with volunteers, volunteer recruitment and management.
• Confidence in public speaking.
• Willingness to work flexibly and during unsociable hours.
• Experience of using drones for biological recording.

This position is managed by the Knepp Wildland Foundation and is
funded with a grant from Natural England.

How to Apply:

Candidates should send a short cover email to [email protected], along with a CV and a
video of no more than 3 mins briefing outlining your interest in the role and
relevant work history. Videos will not be judged on production value but on the quality of the
information shared. Videos can be attached to your email or added to a cloud folder with the
link shared in the cover email. Please ensure you have granted us the correct permissions to
view your video.