Devon Beaver Field Officer (Tamar and West)

Are you passionate about supporting the recovery of a healthy, genetically diverse and thriving beaver population in the Southwest?

Are you excited about the prospect of working alongside local communities in supporting them to live alongside beavers once more?

We are looking for a motivated and skilled person to support beaver recovery across Devon and the wider Southwest, delivering landowner advisory visits and management support, coordinating licenced wild release works, monitoring the local beaver population, engaging key stakeholders and managing a small team of dedicated volunteers.

This new field officer post will play a key role in the delivery of our ten-year vision, working closely with our Beaver Project Lead on wild release plans in the Tamar whilst supporting land, water and fisheries managers through the provision of advice, guidance and practical support. You will work closely with the East Devon Beaver Field Officer, collaborating on complex beaver management challenges across the county, volunteer management, site monitoring, beaver sign surveys, practical mitigation works and community engagement. Whilst you will be expected to work across Devon, you will lead on delivery in the Tamar and West Devon area.

It is anticipated that the work of the postholder will contribute to the delivery of the Tamar Beaver Genetic Reinforcement Project (subject to licence outcomes from Natural England). Our ambition is that you will work closely with project partners and local landowners to secure the release of new unrelated beavers into the catchment and closely monitor post-release activity.

This will be a complex yet highly rewarding role; imbedded within a passionate team with a high level of expertise and experience in species reintroduction, managing beaver activity, engaging stakeholders and restoring riparian habitats. The role is integral to the delivery of the Southwest Beaver Recovery Programme, a Natural England Species Recovery Programme funded project focused on establishing a thriving, genetically diverse and connected metapopulation of beavers in the Southwest.

We are looking for a competent communicator, skilled in managing difficult and challenging conversations, with a good understanding of ecology and conservation in the UK and experience in species reintroductions and/or engaging with farmers and land managers.

This is a full time (37.5 hours per week), fixed term role until 31 March 2029 based at Cricklepit Mill in Exeter. Extension beyond March 2029 is subject to further funding. Regular travel will be required across Devon. The post-holder will have access to DWT pool cars and/or dedicated beaver project vehicles.

This is a field-based post, meaning the work is mainly carried out outdoors rather than in an office. Your contractual base will be Devon Wildlife Trust, Cricklepit Mill, Commercial Road, Exeter, EX2 4AB.

We welcome candidates of all backgrounds and abilities who meet the essential criteria for this role. To achieve our vision, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse organisation, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves.

DWT is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in employment.

Registered Charity Number no 213224