River Restoration Officer

Job Title: River Restoration Officer
Salary £29,936 – £39,629 per annum (according to level of experience).
Contract length: Fixed term contract – 35 hours per week for 1 year – with likely possibility of extension
Location: Guildhall – Hybrid/ Flexible.
Responsible to: Thames21 River Restoration Programme Manager and Head of Improving Rivers

About Thames21

Thames21’s purpose is to deliver increasingly resilient and healthy rivers and landscapes that are closer to their natural state with an abundance of fish and wildlife, empowering and working with people to bring multiple benefits to the natural environment, to individuals and communities.

Diversity at Thames21

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Thames21 is key to our success and as such we employ staff from a diverse range of backgrounds. This we feel is key in ensuring that everybody has an equal opportunity and is not treated differently or discriminated against because of their characteristics. We value the voices of our individual employees, and we strive to work in a collaborative, innovative and balanced way. The postholder must actively support this.

About the role

In recent years we have significantly upscaled our planning and delivery of river restoration works and in 2020/21 we restored 5km of rivers. In the next 5 years we intend to continue to expand this work, and by 2027 we aim to improve 15km of river habitat annually.

To enable this, we are looking for a committed, self-motivated and technically capable River Restoration Officer.

If you have a strong interest in river/wetland ecology, have studied rivers, their restoration and have a grasp of the techniques, designs and permitting processes required to restore rivers and improve river health, you may be perfect for this position.

Your role is to carry out fieldwork, delivering nature-based solutions across river catchments, working with a variety of stakeholders and running events with volunteers and local groups. Other additional requirements may include project development, citizen science to support delivery, as well as oral presentations and reporting.

The role involves developing concepts and graphics for river restoration actions across catchments in London. The role will involve working with principal designers and contractors and applying the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015), ensuring risks are effectively managed throughout the design and delivery of river restoration schemes.

This role is a key position in implementing Thames21’s mission. The selected candidate will be part of a successful and dynamic environmental charity, as well as part of a committed team. You will have the chance to input, help develop our goals and make a real difference to the health of London’s waterways.

The post may be appointed at different salary bands depending on the successful candidate’s qualifications, skills and experience. Applicants who do not currently meet all desirable criteria but demonstrate the potential to develop into the role are encouraged to apply.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Work with Thames21’s River Restoration Manager and Thames21’s Head of Improving Rivers, as well as other stakeholders, to develop and deliver river and wetland restoration projects throughout the areas we work.
• Obtain all necessary permissions to deliver the projects, potentially including flood risk activity permits and planning permission.
• Work outside in a riverside environment in a range of weather conditions – alone, with team members, with volunteers and other professionals.
• Co-ordinate and deliver a series of river habitat and floodplain improvements, including community-led river restoration activities.
• Preparation of documentation for river restoration construction: client brief, construction phase plans, health and safety files.
• Support, co-ordinate and deliver volunteering events.
• Work with contractors to implement projects so they achieve maximum environmental and community benefits.
• Transport of equipment to/from our offices and restoration sites.
• Occasionally present project updates and results to stakeholders and catchment partnerships.
• Work with project partners to develop and manage tender processes for works requiring contractors, ensuring all procurement activities meet the relevant requirements of partners, funders and legislation, including CDM 2015.
• Carry out assessments and opportunity mapping for river restoration projects.
• In partnership with others, use a range of monitoring tools to record and quantify the impact of different activities.
• Regular co-ordination with Thames21’s Communications Team to ensure key milestones are recognised and publicised.
• Maintain clear records of progress, ensure all administration and statistical information is kept, and regularly upload information onto the Thames21 database.
• Work with Thames21 colleagues to develop and implement Thames21’s 5-year plan.
• Adopt and promote Thames21’s core values.

This job description cannot cover every issue or task that may arise within the post at various times, and the post-holder will be expected to carry out other reasonable duties from time to time which are broadly consistent with other Thames21 activities with those in this document.