Project Officer – EU LIFE R4Ever Kent

Project Officer – LIFE R4Ever Kent (LIFE20.NAT/UK/001013)

Location: South Cumbria Rivers Trust offices, Low Wood, Ulverston, Cumbria and field based
Salary: £27,000 – £34,000 dependent on experience
Contract: Fixed Term until December 2027 (with view to extend, subject to funding)
Hours: Full Time – 37.5 hrs/wk. (Core hours 10:00 – 16:00, Monday to Friday)

Opportunity

This is a unique and exciting opportunity to join South Cumbria Rivers Trust to work within the iconic landscapes of the southern Lake District UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Trust was formed in 2006 to protect, conserve, monitor and restore the natural heritage of lakes, tarns, rivers, becks and estuaries in South Cumbria. We work closely with local communities, government agencies, and conservation bodies to implement impactful projects.

We’re seeking a motivated, experienced Project Officer to join our team. This role is crucial to continuing the success of the LIFE R4Ever Kent project, with significant delivery projects planned for Summer 2026.

This role will be managed by our Trust Manager but supported closely by SCRT’s Projects and Technical Manager, as well as close working and support from the rest of the team.

About the Project

LIFE is an EU-funded programme aimed at the protection and restoration of Europe’s nature, and halting and reversing biodiversity loss. LIFE supports achieving the objectives of the EU’s biodiversity strategy for 2030 and is part of the EU Green Deal. LIFE funds the development and management of the Natura 2000 network which protects over 18 % of the EU’s land area and more than 8 % of its marine territory.

As part of the Natura 2000 network, the River Kent SAC (UK0030256) is designated for its Ranunculion habitat, freshwater pearl mussel, bullhead and white clawed crayfish. The River Kent SAC is impacted by issues including water quality, siltation, physical modification and invasive alien species, all of which have led to a decline in native species condition and extent.

LIFE R4ever Kent (LIFE20 NAT/UK/001013) plans to Restore and Revive the River Kent SAC, so that the species and habitats can Recover, thus making the designated features more Resilient to environmental pressures.

The freshwater pearl mussel is a keystone species which requires clean gravel habitats and low suspended solids/nutrient loading. Improved water and habitat quality (including Ranunculion habitat) will benefit other aquatic/terrestrial species including the endangered white clawed crayfish and provide optimum conditions for the freshwater pearl mussel’s salmonid hosts.

The project will trial new techniques, provide targeted advice and training and promote better replication/communication.

Natural England is the lead partner for the project and is working in partnership with South Cumbria Rivers Trust, Freshwater Biological Association and Environment Agency.

Dimensions of Role – Specifically

• To provide advice to farmers and other land managers to encourage the uptake of interventions and other solutions that protect and improve the River Kent SAC, SSSI and the water environment.
• To develop new schemes and interventions appropriate to the issues of concern, including physical modifications, diffuse pollution and river habitats
• To identify, scope and promote practical interventions and solutions to the Project Steering Group
• Deliver practical improvements on the ground to meet the requirements of the SAC designated features, species and the reasons for their decline.
• To monitor, update and input risks into the Catchment Plans and deliver relevant actions to mitigate these impacts.
• To lead on all aspects of projects approved for delivery at Steering Group.
• To carry out investigations, field trials, monitoring, sampling and analysis to support, validate and report and present on catchment activities and incidents.
• To form great collaborations with key partners including the Freshwater Biological Association, Natural England and the Environment Agency and to liaise with and work alongside local initiatives including the Volunteer groups and Catchment Based Approach and Catchment Partnership ‘Becks to Bay’
• To use these collaborations to enhance and maximise new opportunities and to reduce duplication of catchment work and maximise grant income.
• Deliver regular reports both written and presented to the SCRT and Steering Group and at other workshops and lectures both internal and external as required.
• To contribute to a communication programme utilising email, meetings, newsletters, twitter, Facebook, written educational material and press articles appropriate to the different sectors engaged on catchment.

Person requirements

This role requires an energetic and multi-talented individual who is a self-starter and results focussed. You will be a natural communicator who can form and establish great partnerships at all levels and has a proven record of securing agreements with funders and businesses.

• Must have evidence of an outstanding project delivery track record.
• Demonstrate a proven record of securing agreements with landowners and farmers to carry out environmental improvement projects.
• Proven ability to build and maintain excellent and productive working relationships with colleagues, landowners, farmers and all external partners.
• Confident in delivering infrastructure projects, including thorough knowledge and application of CDM, and confident in overseeing and instructing contractors
• A good working knowledge of diffuse water pollution issues and proven understanding of catchment management.
• Excellent knowledge of Hydro-Geomorphology to enable identification of damage and impacts of human modifications to the river. Design appropriate interventions to re-naturalise the river channels
• Technically able and experienced. Educated to degree level or equivalent, preferably in a scientific, environmental or land management discipline.
• A natural communicator and great networker who can form and maintain great partnerships and working relationships with a wide variety of people.
• An energetic and multi-talented individual who is a self-starter and results focussed and is able to manage her/his own time efficiently.
• Is physically fit and enjoys working “in the field” in all weathers
• Mature, enthusiastic, committed and determined
• A great team worker and can help SCRT to drive current objectives and contribute to developing future strategies

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Scientific

Essential

✓ Excellent working understanding of water quality, hydrology, hydro ecology and river geomorphology and evidence of practical application
✓ A good working knowledge of diffuse water pollution, water quality risk management and proven understanding of catchment management
✓ Ability to transfer river and catchment assessments and data into the delivery of effective projects – Complete ‘end to end’ project delivery
✓ Ability to absorb scientific papers and other technical data pertinent to catchment management

Desirable
✓ Possess or obtain a White-Clawed Crayfish CL11 Survey or Research licence and/or CL23 Class Licence

Financial Management

Essential
✓ Proven skills to manage funds to time and budget constraints
✓ Experience of procuring and instructing contractors, and procurement of other goods and services

Desirable
✓ Experience of complex budget management
✓ Experience of blended finance models and/or knowledge of ENGO finance structures
✓ Experience of preparing and submitting funding and grant applications

Data Gathering & Management

Essential
✓ Use of GIS to build and update project activity
✓ Use of spreadsheets and web-based tools to aid collation and reporting
✓ Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and other programmes including ARCGIS.
✓ Contribute to the development and delivery of SCRT’s programme of surveying, sampling, and monitoring of catchment waters by electrofishing surveys, invertebrate sampling, and walk over surveys and migratory and non-migratory salmonid spawning counts.

Desirable
✓ Knowledge of modelling and/or river restoration design

Relationships

Essential
✓ Proven ability to build and maintain excellent productive working relationships with colleagues, landowners, farmers and all external partners.
✓ Generating commitment and enthusiasm from catchment communities, statutory bodies, volunteers and business.

Project Management

Essential
✓ Outstanding and evidenced project delivery track record
✓ Excellent H&S and CDM knowledge and their practical application
✓ Experienced contractor engagement and management
✓ Confident in overseeing and guiding construction works
✓ Experience of preparing and submitting relevant and necessary consents
✓ Able to produce professional, accurate and timely reporting

Personnel Management

• Recruiting, leading and motivating Trust volunteers.
• Providing, where possible, opportunities for community volunteers to develop their skills
• Ensuring the safety and well-being of volunteers, contractors and others at all times
• Ensuring full and timely communication with all volunteers
• Reporting regularly to the SCRT team and SCRT trustees

Networking, Communicating and Training

• Excellent communication, organisation and report writing skills.
• An ability to prioritise, to be self-motivated and to motivate and inspire others.
• Establishing and maintaining excellent relationships with statutory partners, conservation bodies, Trustees and catchment communities.
• Ensuring that all Trust projects are delivered in partnership and involve the most suitable stakeholders.
• Identifying opportunities for funding and working with partners to maximise funding potential.
• Representing the Trust in local and national fora, including the Rivers Trust.
• Attending appropriate training in agreement with SCRT management
• Keeping Trustees, Patrons, volunteers and relevant external bodies informed about the Trust’s work by giving and contributing to talks, presentations, training, the SCRT website and other events.
• Carrying out related tasks as requested/required by your line manager

Benefits to joining the SCRT Team

• A work van shared between the whole team or 45p/mile allowance for work travel
• Opportunity to work outside regularly and be involved in practical delivery
• Fantastic Cumbrian weather!
• A contributory pension (up to 9% Employers contribution for 6% employee contribution) and life assurance
• 25 Days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
• Time of In Lieu policy for working extended hours

Terms and Conditions

• Contract: fixed term contract to 31st December 2027 with expectation to extend subject to funding. The position will be subject to a 3-month probation period and ongoing 9-month development plan.
• SCRT are open to Flexible working requests
• Salary will be by negotiation and at a point on the SCRT scale which acknowledges the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.
• Reasonable expenses, including a mileage allowance, will be paid.
• Candidates for this post are required to declare any previous or pending charges of a criminal nature. Other relevant checks may be required.
• The successful candidate will be expected to live within reasonable travelling distance of the office.
• In addition to general PPE, provided facilities include a phone and a laptop computer.
• SCRT is an Equal Opportunities employer

For further details please contact SCRT Trust Manager; [email protected]
Closing Date for applications – 5pm Wednesday 18th March
Interview Week Commencing 23rd March