Project Ecologist – Species Recovery

Project Ecologist – Species Recovery
Contract type: Fixed term, until the end of March 2029
Working hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £28,000 per annum
Salary Banding: Level 3
Location: Based at our Callow Office, Shipham Gorge BS27 this role covers the Somerset Levels and will be a hybrid role working from the office, home and out in the field.

This exciting new role is a part of the Natural England Species Recovery Programme. The “Wild Again: Restoring England’s Wildlife” initiative aims to enhance threatened species populations across the UK. Somerset Wildlife Trust are excited to lead the Bolstering the Somerset Bittern (Botaurus stellaris) population project.

About Us

Somerset Wildlife Trust is a local independent charity and the only organisation uniquely focused on improving the natural environment of Somerset for the benefit of wildlife and people. We champion Somerset’s stunning, diverse, and important natural environment, making the case for nature to the public and politicians. We protect wildlife and lead the recovery of the environment by example, including on our nature reserves.

About You and the Role

The Project Ecologist will be responsible for delivering habitat and bittern species surveys across the Somerset Levels and Moors project area. This will include assessing a range of reedbed and wetland mosaic types to assess suitability for bittern, as well as engaging and advising landowners on habitat enhancement.

Supported by Somerset Wildlife Trust staff, landowner engagement will involve the identification of improvement works funded by the project. The survey work will be completed with the support of a new, dedicated volunteer group led by the Species Recovery Project Ecologist.

Responsibility 1: Lead Ecological Surveys

Ensure correct data reporting by:

• Leading bittern, reedbed, and wetland mosaic habitat surveys across the project area (Somerset Levels and Moors). This work includes surveying on private land, as well as National Nature Reserves owned by SWT, RSPB, and Natural England.
• Keeping up to date with SWT data handling & reporting standards, particularly in close collaboration with Somerset Environmental Records Centre (SERC).
• Working closely with the Project Manager for the BSB project, sharing specialist species knowledge, reporting project progress, being involved in project meetings, and recording volunteer hours.

Responsibility 2: Enhance Habitat Conditions

Improve reedbed and wetland mosaic sites by:

• Identifying key sites for restoration and/or enhancement, supported by specialist habitat knowledge and SERC.
• Collaborating with SWT’s Honeygar Land Management and Monitoring Manager to engage local landowners and organisations around the Avalon Marshes area with the aim of habitat restoration and/or enhancement for bittern recovery.
• Advising landowners across the Somerset Levels project area on habitat enhancement and restoration, identifying and allocating use of project funding to support work on private land.
• Ensure best communication practices that are in line with SWT standards.

Responsibility 3: Manage Volunteers

Provide leadership and support by:

• Providing leadership and mentoring to volunteers so that they can conduct species and habitat surveys without direct supervision.
• Working with SWT’s Volunteering & Community Support Officer to ensure best practice when engaging and recruiting volunteers, including following SWT safety procedures and capturing issues raised by volunteers.
• Contributing to the recruitment & promotion of volunteers for the new bittern survey group, which involves working closely with the Project Manager and SWT Marketing & Communications team

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

• 7% employer pension contribution
• Life assurance
• An annual professional institution subscription if applicable
• Flexible and agile working
• Wellbeing support – EAP, wellbeing champions
• Diversity networks through RSWT/TWT
• Paid volunteer days
• Continuous Professional Development opportunities
• 33 days of holiday (25 + bank holidays)

The opportunity to make a real and positive difference to nature, communities and the climate.

Closing date: Friday 31 July 2026

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the ‘Find out more & apply’ button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

No agencies please.