Conservation Officer – Black Grouse

Shape the Future of an Iconic Species in Wales

The Black Grouse, with its mesmerizing communal displays, is at risk of extinction in the Welsh uplands. We’re seeking a passionate conservationist to lead our Black Grouse Nature Networks Project, funded by the Heritage Fund on behalf of the Welsh Government.

Based in North East Wales within the RSPB North Wales Moors Priority Landscape, this unique role combines nature conservation expertise with stakeholder engagement. This isn’t a traditional reserve-based role – instead, you’ll work alongside farmers, private landowners, stakeholders, and the local community, requiring resilience, understanding, and engaging interpersonal skills to maximize conservation opportunities.

As Black Grouse Conservation Officer, you’ll lead our species recovery project, implementing evidence-based conservation strategies across North Wales’s uplands. The role demands both technical expertise in upland ecology and strong relationship-building skills. Working alongside the RSPB fundraising team, North Wales Moors Conservation Officer, and external stakeholders, you’ll develop the future of the project. You’ll combine rigorous scientific monitoring with practical conservation delivery, applying your expertise in uplands ecology and ornithology while building strong, trust-based relationships with stakeholders.

Key responsibilities

• Design and implement evidence-based conservation strategies specifically focused on Black Grouse recovery.
• Build and maintain relationships with landowners, farmers, and stakeholders, advocating for necessary conservation measures.
• Oversee habitat management projects, including heather management, peatland restoration and woodland edge enhancement.
• Coordinate scientific monitoring programmes to track population trends and evaluate intervention effectiveness.
• Manage project budgets and resources with complete transparency and integrity.
• Advocate for Black Grouse conservation at local and national levels, showing courage in challenging difficult conversations.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• A full driving licence which allows you to drive RSPB vehicles or ability to access remote locations without public transport
• Sufficient understanding of upland ecology and ornithology. Including landscape-scale conservation, land use and farming practices. Experience of working to survey, protect and/or manage important sites, species or habitats.
• An organised and reliable approach to managing your own time.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal, written and presentational) – including an ability to speak confidently and cogently in public to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to work effectively as a team player internally and in external partnerships.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, including the ability to navigate challenging conversations with courage and diplomacy and the ability to maintain strong and lasting relationships.
• Experience in building and maintaining productive partnerships across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Project management capabilities, including budget management and reporting. This will also include managing external contractors.
• Experience of managing staff or volunteers and setting clear work priorities.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Degree-level qualification in a relevant subject or ability to show equivalent work experience.
• Demonstrated understanding of the conservation tool kit regarding Black Grouse.
• An understanding of the culture and heritage of the North Wales uplands.
• Experience with GIS and spatial analysis for conservation planning.
• Welsh language skills.
• Experience in securing conservation funding.
• Understanding of broader upland ecosystem management.
• Track record of public engagement and advocacy.

This role offers a unique opportunity to make a genuine difference to the future of Black Grouse in Wales. Working at the intersection of science, land management, and community engagement, we’re seeking someone who shares our values and can demonstrate their commitment to evidence-based conservation while maintaining the highest standards of professional integrity. Your passion for wildlife conservation should be matched by your empathy for the communities we work with and your courage to advocate for necessary change.

This is a full time fixed-term contract until March 2026 for 37.5 hours per week.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position on 25th March 2025. For further information please contact [email protected]

As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship – the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes.