Ecologist

About the Trust

We’re one of the UK’s biggest charities and we care for 2,000 miles of canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs because we believe life is better by water. We’re looking for people who support our cause and want to make a difference for future generations. Could this be you?

Along with our waterways we also manage museums, archives and the country’s third largest collection of historic buildings, as well as the nature and wildlife that calls our canals home. All of this enables us to provide wellbeing opportunities for millions of people each year.

Join Our Team: Ecologist

We’re excited to welcome a new Ecologist at our West Midlands location.

Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.

Working Hours & Location

This role follows a 37 hours, Monday to Friday working pattern and will be home-based, with the allocation of a nearby Hub in the West Midlands for collaborative working. You will attend site visits across the West Midlands region. The role offers a mix or desk and site based work.

See our network here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/canal-and-river-network

Role Overview

The Ecologist will provide the Trust with technical expertise with particular responsibility for a defined geographical area. Working as directed in their area of expertise, they will support and deliver the Trust’s protection, improvement and promotion of the natural environment of the waterways and provide professional environmental services within their area of expertise to help achieve a wide range of corporate objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert technical advice within their area of expertise as required to help ensure compliance with relevant legislation and Trust standards and contribute to continued improvement of the environment of the Region’s canals and other Trust owned nature sites.
• Contribute to the implementation of relevant Asset Management Strategies (with focus on vegetation and designated sites) to protect, maintain, and where appropriate, enhance condition of the assets and their performance for the customer.
• Contribute to regional programmes of engagement with customers, volunteers, stakeholders and the general public to promote the value of waterways and the work of the Trust to increase the Trust’s reputation and influence and secure additional resources for our work, focusing on our key environmental priorities.
• Implement relevant inspection/monitoring and maintenance programmes for environmental/soft estate assets within their geographical remit, prioritising work to suit available resources and within delegated authority levels.
• Contribute to the implementation of an environmental management system (EMS; including associated processes & standards) especially with responsibility for monitoring application within their geographical remit; to maintenance of appropriate levels of environmental training & competency (including certification) in their local area
• Co-ordinate volunteer tasks within their area of expertise.
• Contribute to corporate targets on raising public awareness of and support for the Trust especially through interest in the canal networks environmental assets and biodiversity.
• Contribute to external engagement and fundraising locally to secure additional resources for the Trust, especially through interest in our environmental assets and canal biodiversity.
• Displaying the Trust values and behaviours at all times
• Ensuring that diversity and inclusion are integrated into all aspects of Trust life and promoting inclusion by challenging behaviour, practices, actions, or decisions that are counter to the objectives of the Trust’s policies and values

Skills & Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in relevant discipline.
• Associate member of relevant professional institution, e.g. CIEEM, CIWEM, CIWM, IEMA, etc
• Proven postgraduate experience in application of technical knowledge within a business environment, including ecological survey and monitoring of species and habitats.
• Able to negotiate effectively with internal and external contacts to achieve desired outcomes for the Trust
• Able to support other areas of the Trust’s business in an appropriate manner, taking account of overall business priorities
• Knowledge of, and practical experience of operating within, UK & European environmental policy and regulatory frameworks, particularly relating to designated sites and protected species.
• Protected species licence desirable.
• Experience of operating within a customer service environment
• Understanding of Trust governance, financial controls and systems of compliance
• Full UK Driving License

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient suitable applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Contact & Application

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]. We encourage early applications as we may close the vacancy once we receive enough suitable candidates.

What We Offer

We offer an annual salary of £33,677 + £390 per month Car Cash Allowance. Enjoy a competitive pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and a range of employee benefits. For a full breakdown of our benefits, check out our brochure here: EVP – 1.

Learn more: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/our-benefits

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Our values

We care passionately for our waterways, and as importantly, for those who look after and use them. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone can thrive. We are striving to represent the diverse communities that we are a part of and welcome applicants from across all sectors of the community.

We want everyone to have the opportunity to perform at their best during our recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments – whether for a disability, neurodiversity, or health condition – please let us know what you need and how we can support you. We’ll work with you to make any necessary changes.

All of our jobs can be considered on a part time, flexible or job share basis.

We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role. You are considered disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. We recognise not everyone who is classified as disabled under the Equality Act personally identifies this way, or with this definition of disability. Please do not let this discourage you from applying under the scheme.

At Canal & River Trust, we are committed to fair, transparent, and ethical recruitment practices. As part of our hiring process, we may use AI to analyse applications and support us work more efficiently. However, all hiring decisions – without exception – are made by our hiring managers.

Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.