Biodiversity Data and Evidence Officer

This is a significant and rewarding opportunity to make a real difference in supporting our ambition for nature’s protection and recovery across Birmingham and the Black Country. The post holder will help support the collection, collation, and digitisation of ecological data relating to species, sites and habitats across our landscape. Your work will be critical to the success of EcoRecord – the region’s Environmental Records Centre – and aid in the protection of local wildlife of great value to people, and communities in our region.

As a wildlife charity serving a heavily urbanised area, a major element of our work is to provide ecological evidence and related information, that supports the designation of wildlife sites and informs the protection of nature in the face of urban development.

You will work within EcoRecord to deliver high quality data products and services to a range of customers and users. EcoRecord is part of a network of Local Environmental Records Centres across the UK and provides information services to a wide range of users such as local authorities, statutory agencies, ecological consultants, national and local recording schemes, and others.

The post of Biodiversity Data and Evidence Officer is a central and varied role within EcoRecord, that will include making use of GIS mapping and specialised databases to analyse and digitise ecological data. The role will also include promoting high quality biological recording activities, supporting specialist recording groups, and engaging with volunteers, including through our social media channels. You will assist with key aspects of the day-to-day operation of the records centre, including the maintenance, management, and development of core data sets and analytic processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with the development and growth of EcoRecord’s data infrastructure by supporting the collection, collation and computerisation of ecological and other relevant data (primarily species, sites and habitats data), through the competent use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and, though not exclusively, Recorder 6.
• Contribute to the improvement of data management systems and processes.
• Contribute to the delivery of projects that deliver nature’s recovery across Birmingham and the Black Country.
• Assist with the adoption and development of practices and tools that improve the efficiency of data management and data availability.
• Assist with data analysis and the production of high-quality data products and services.
• Be an advocate for and help to promote high quality biological recording in Birmingham and the Black Country.
• Assist in supporting specialist species interest groups and the wider volunteer recording networks throughout Birmingham and the Black Country and with enabling the development and formation of new interest groups.
• Assist and support surveys and local recording initiatives, including the City Nature Challenge.
• Contribute to EcoRecord’s and the Wildlife Trust’s online presence through producing content for social media and website etc. in collaboration with colleagues including the Trust’s Communication Department.
• Assist in the recruitment and supervision of volunteers in a range of activities, namely surveying and data entry.

About You

The successful applicant will be very well organised, highly motivated, collaborative, have a high level of attention to detail, and be used to prioritising a complex workload. You will have good ecological knowledge, and the confidence and ambition to affect conservation outcomes through the provision of high-quality ecological evidence. Above all, you will be driven by a commitment to see nature’s recovery across Birmingham and the Black Country’s urban landscape.

What We Offer

• A chance to make a real impact in local communities and the natural environment
• A supportive and inclusive team culture
• Flexible working arrangements
• Opportunities for professional development