Community Engagement and Communications Officer (Derbyshire Dales Swift Project)

Community Engagement and Communications Officer (employee or freelance contractor) (Derbyshire
Dales Swift Project)

Swifts are declining by approximately 5% a year and their numbers have more than halved in the
UK in the last 30 years, placing them on the red list of birds of conservation concern. Swifts
nest primarily within the structure of buildings by accessing safe spaces within the building
fabric through holes and gaps in the exterior of the building. Often these holes and gaps are a
result of decay, repeated temperature and/or humidity and general deterioration. When buildings
are repaired or renovated these gaps are often blocked as materials are replaced and this is
the main driver of the fall in Swift numbers as such works prevent access to their nests. 

Identifying the location of Swift colonies allows us to work with property owners to protect
these colonies as well as provide supplementary nest boxes in these areas. We have a poor
understanding of Swift populations in over 85% of the settlements in the Derbyshire Dales and
this represents a huge logistical challenge if we are to conserve this species. This role is
intended to help fill this knowledge gap.

Working closely with the Project Co-ordinator of the Derbyshire Dales Swift Project, you will
be responsible for planning, publicising and delivering a programme of public engagement
activities in different locations across the Derbyshire Dales, all designed to get each
community truly committed and invested in conserving these amazing birds. Recognising the
Heritage Fund for their support in all communications, media content and digital outputs is
important.