Catchment Restoration Manager – River & Floodplain Restoration Lead

Salary: C£33,500 – £37,100 dependent on experience + 9% employers pension
contribution
Location: Bristol Avon catchment
Hours: Full Time, 40 hours per week. Flexibility required (some evening & weekend
work)
Contract: Permanent
Closing date: Applications by midnight Friday 6th September 2024
Contact name: Simon Hunter
Contact email: [email protected]

Overview

This is an exciting opportunity to create, manage and deliver a range of projects that focus on
nature’s recovery within the Bristol Avon catchment.

Bristol Avon Rivers Trust’s (BART) has grown its pipeline of projects significantly over the
last year and as such the trust is looking to expand its project management capacity, through
the recruitment of a Catchment Restoration Manager.

About Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART)

Founded in 2012, the Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART) is a charity that was established to
restore and protect the rivers of the Bristol Avon. Our work is deeply rooted in using the best
available evidence and is guided by an ‘ecosystems approach,’ which considers the health and
function of the entire catchment area, not just the rivers themselves.

BART is a grassroots organisation born from the collective passion and concern of individuals
dedicated to the wellbeing of our waterways. In 2012, a group of like-minded individuals began
to realize their vision for the Bristol Avon’s rivers, setting the stage for what BART has
become today. Now, with 15 employees and an annual turnover of around £1 million, we manage
multi-year projects funded by a wide range of supporters, all aimed at preserving and enhancing
the natural beauty and health of the Bristol Avon catchment.

We collaborate with a diverse array of stakeholders—including landowners, local communities,
businesses, farmers, and water companies—to safeguard and rejuvenate our rivers, lakes,
estuaries, and coastal areas. This holistic stewardship benefits not only wildlife and the
local economy but also people. Protecting our rivers can help farmers save money, lower costs
for water companies, boost tourism, reduce the necessity for dredging estuaries, and enhance
public health.

In the face of the climate emergency and ecological crisis, our mission has never been more
urgent. Building resilience within the Bristol Avon catchment is crucial to weathering these
challenges.

The successful post holder will join a growing and ambitious team to deliver a wide array of
multi-benefit projects aimed at protecting and improving the health of the rivers throughout
the Bristol Avon catchment.

The Role

The Catchment Restoration Manager will oversee and manage a variety of projects aimed at
enhancing the health of our rivers for the benefit of both nature and people. This will be
achieved through the operational delivery of projects in riparian and river habitats to improve
and protect native species and ecosystems. Using best practice, evidence-based methods, you
will complete current projects and engage in diverse tasks such as conducting catchment field
surveys (ecological, water quality, Natural Flood Management, and Nature-Based Solutions),
developing projects, and managing the delivery of river restoration, Natural Flood Management
and nature-based solution schemes.

The post holder will support the Heads of Department and Chief Executive Officer in ensuring
funding compliance and reporting to all relevant funders and partners. Additionally, they will
scope new projects and collaborate with the Heads of Department to write funding applications,
securing a pipeline of future projects.

Key Responsibilities:

• Delivery and oversight of a range of catchment restoration projects, including river
  restoration, wetland creation and Natural Flood Management schemes.
• Manage project resources, budget and schedule, including recordkeeping.
• Work with the Heads of Department to ensure project costs are in line with overall project
  budgets and keep suitable records in line with the funding requirements and document retention
  policy.
• Provide line management to Project Officers and Project Assistants and actively promote the
  Vision, Mission and work of the Trust.
• Provide guidance and mentoring to support junior staff including line reports, in
  developing their technical skillsets.
• Create Project delivery plans and communicate this to internal and external audiences.
• Identify project risks and build mitigation for these into the delivery plan. Same for
  communications plans and budget.
• Scope tender documents and requests for quotation, including for technical aspects of work
  which may require input from colleagues within the Trust.
• Management of suppliers, contractors within CDM Framework.
• Identify and communicate with stakeholders necessary to secure permissions/ permits
  necessary to ensure successful delivery.
• Preparation and submission of applications to obtain consents to deliver work on the ground
  (including Environment Agency Permits, Landowner Agreements and Planning applications).
• Work with and coordinate a team of conservation professionals and volunteer network. across
  a variety of projects.
• Maintain and grow the Trust’s partnerships, with stakeholders, delivery partners and
  landowners.
• Contribute and in some instances, lead on the production of publicity and marketing
  materials.
• You may be required to carry out other duties and tasks as required from time to time for
  the efficient operation of the Trust.

Candidate Profile

Essential

• Passion for nature conservation, with an excellent knowledge of UK river species and habitats and aware of the environmental issues impacting our rivers.
• You will have experience in delivering projects in the environmental, water or
  conservational sector (for example hydrology, engineering, fisheries science, or
  geomorphology).
• Environmental surveying experience (habitat surveys, water quality, land management etc.).
• Excellent project management skills, demonstrated through having managed multiple projects,
  contractors and procurement.
• A confident and clear communicator working with a variety of stakeholders and groups.
• Self-motivated, enthusiastic and decisive with an ability to follow your own initiative.
• Effective collaborator able to be a proactive and supportive member of the team.
• Confidence to engage and build relationships across organisations with differing objectives
  and priorities.
• Excellent literacy, computer, numeracy and report-writing skills.
• Full UK driving license and access to vehicle with full business insurance cover.

Desirable

• Knowledge of the Bristol Avon Catchment.
• Experience in overseeing environmental improvement projects, in particular River
  Restoration, Natural Flood Management or Nature-Based Solutions including wetlands.
• Experience of working for a small organisation and the public or voluntary sectors.
• Working knowledge of GIS data systems such as ArcGIS.
• Practical river restoration experience.
• Proven track record of securing new business.
• Experience in the management and coordination of staff and volunteers.
• Association of a relevant Professional Body and/or Educating Organisation demonstrating
  continuous professional improvement.

General Notes

• The position will be working from home with travel around the Bristol Avon Catchment.
• This position will from time to time require work during some evenings, weekends and public
  holidays to meet the needs of the post.
• You will need to be physically fit as the position will require occasional full day
  walkover surveys and implementation of river restoration in all weather conditions.
• We expect you to carry out your job responsibilities in an environmentally aware manner,
  ensuring as little damage to the environment as possible.
• Our aim is to ensure all resources are utilised effectively and efficiently.
• You will be expected to apply ‘sound value for money’ principles and follow procurement
  guidelines in undertaking purchasing or supply of goods and services.

Interested parties should submit a CV and a one page covering letter explaining why you would
perform well in this role and what you could bring to BART. These should be sent to: [email protected]

Interviews for this post will take place in the Bristol Avon catchment during w/c 16th
September 2024.

Please note, due to limited resources you will only be contacted should you be successful in
gaining an interview. We would like to thank you for your interest in this position.

Thank you for your interest in applying for a role with the Bristol Avon Rivers
Trust.