Landscape Recovery Data Officer

Do you have skills in monitoring, evidence gathering and data management you want to use to
help us plan large-scale nature recovery for a generation? 

Cumbria Connect is developing a Landscape Recovery Scheme in the eastern Lake District
encompassing land from Penrith to Kendal along a broad geographical corridor we’re calling the
Penrith2Kendal Arc. In collaboration with more than 30 land managers we aim to recover nature
across 14,500ha of habitats that include upland heath, blanket bog, rivers and floodplain,
woodland and scrub, wetlands, semi-improved and unimproved grassland including hay meadows.

The Landscape Recovery Data Officer will be an essential member of the Penrith2Kendal Arc
Landscape Recovery team, working closely with the project ecologist, nature recovery leads and
farm advisors to provide dedicated support with GIS, biological and historical data and
information management. You will play a key role in the development of the project’s Land
Management and Monitoring & Evaluation Plans.

Utilising your skills and keen interest in environmental data collection and monitoring, you
will lead on creating project monitoring strategies and delivering detailed monitoring on the
ground. You will have an eye for detail to help you deliver excellent reporting. Due to the
large scale of the Penrith2Kendal Arc Landscape Recovery Project, an innovative approach to
baselining and monitoring will be needed, likely with some requirement for remote sensing and
use of new technologies to assess habitat change.

Essential Skills, Knowledge and Experience:

• A degree in an environmental, hydrology, or science related discipline or equivalent
  industry experience. 
• Proven ability in the use of GIS to display and analyse environmental data.
• Broad understanding of environmental data management and associated computer software.
• Knowledge of structured biological recording schemes and survey methods.
• Able to think creatively and design new ways to apply data to tackle environmental
  problems.
• Experience of using or knowledge of technology for wildlife monitoring in the field.
• Good wildlife knowledge and the ability to identify a wide range of species in the field. 
• Excellent level of IT skills (MS Outlook, Word, Excel and Powerpoint). 
• Experience of using spreadsheets to manipulate data. 

Desirable Skills, Knowledge, Experience:

• Post-graduate qualifications in a relevant subject.
• Familiar with the classification and identification of species in one or more taxonomic
  species groups such as birds, plants or invertebrates, or familiar with classifying habitats
  for at least one habitat classification such as Phase 1, NVC or EUNIS. 
• Experience of remote sensing or other new technologies for large scale monitoring. 
• Experience of hydrological monitoring and modelling.
• Experience working with Biodiversity Net Gain metrics or Woodland or Peatland Carbon Code. 
• A knowledge of geomorphological processes and river management techniques, hydrology, water
  quality, carbon and habitat surveying. 
• Experience managing contracts, procurement processes and budgets/financial management. 

Additional Information:

The role is full-time for 37.5 hours per week, fixed term for the development phase of the
scheme until 30 April 2026, with a possibility for extension subject to a successful
application. The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further
advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

Application deadline: Wednesday 22 May 2024, 23:59.

Interview date: Week commencing 3 June 2024.

For an informal chat about the role please contact Martin Varley, phone 07568 116392 or email –
[email protected].

As part of this application you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete a short
form. If you wish to provide a cover letter with your application, please include this at the
end of your CV document upload.

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.

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.