Surveys Support Officer

Surveys Support Officer

Thetford, Norfolk
Full time, 2 year contract, with the possibility of becoming permanent subject to funding availability.
£29,754 per annum + 11% employer pension contribution

Are you passionate about birds and data management, with a keen eye for administrative detail? The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) is seeking a dedicated Support Officer to join our vibrant Surveys Team. This central role involves supporting projects within the team, contributing to some of the largest and most influential bird surveys in the UK. You’ll work on prominent surveys such as the Wetland Bird Survey, Goose and Swan Monitoring Programme, Breeding Bird Survey, and more. This is an exciting opportunity to collaborate with external partners and funders while supporting the BTO’s mission to deliver high-quality bird monitoring programs.

In this role, you will initially focus on supporting the Goose and Swan Monitoring Programme, the Non-estuarine Waterbird Survey and the Wetland Bird Survey. You will assist with developing the survey programmes, support materials and databases, documenting the production and promotion of Official Statistics, and help with survey communications. Your efforts will support timely and accurate data collection, verification, and dissemination by our large volunteer base. This position offers a unique blend of administrative, analytical, and communication responsibilities, focusing on behind-the-scenes tasks, but also interactions with survey volunteers and data service clients.

As the Surveys Support Officer, you will report to the Waterbird Surveys Officer and collaborate closely with the Head of Waterbird Monitoring, the Head of Surveys and other members of the BTO Surveys Team. You will also liaise with other teams within BTO and external stakeholders. We are looking for someone with a methodical approach, excellent organisational skills, and strong numerical abilities. Experience with citizen science data collection, ecological information dissemination, and bird surveys will be advantageous, as will an interest in waterbirds. You will have the opportunity to develop a deep understanding of BTO’s bird surveys, methods, and volunteer coordination processes. If you are committed to biodiversity and eager to make a meaningful impact through your work, we invite you to apply for this exciting role at BTO.

This position is based at our HQ in Thetford, Norfolk, although you will be able to work from home part of the time on a hybrid working regime and flexible start and finish times can also be accommodated to ensure a flexible work-life balance.

You can read the full role description by clicking on the role description under ‘supporting documents’ in the job details on our careers page.

Please contact us if you are not sure if you meet all the criteria for the role and would like to discuss the role in more detail. Please note that, if you are the successful candidate, you will be required to provide documentary evidence of your right to live and work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer visa sponsorship at this time.

What does BTO do?

The heart of BTO encompasses three key areas: birds, science, people. We work to secure a better future for birds and nature, using our science, monitoring and data to inform good environmental decisions, inspiring others with the wonder of birds and empowering them to work with us. Our priority is to make a positive impact for birds, using our strong and objective science in partnership with other organisations, members and volunteers. We strive to work sustainably and to welcome everyone.

Our values We are evidence-led, inclusive, collaborative and empowering.

Birds Science People; it is a powerful combination – will you be part of it?

What we offer

• £29,754 per annum + 11% employer pension contribution
• Annual Leave: 25 days per year (plus bank holidays), increasing with service to 26 days after 5 years, 28 days after 10 years, and 30 days after 15 years (pro rata for part-time staff).
• Paid ‘journey days’ (up to 2 days) to staff who travel on holiday by land or sea instead of flying.
• Annual team away days
• Life assurance (four times salary)
• 11% employer pension contribution
• Employee Assistance Programme offering help and advice to staff and their families on matters related to bereavement, wellbeing, finances, relationships, family and more. This includes a number of free counselling sessions.
• Enhanced sick pay
• Enhanced Family leave- Maternity, Adoption, and Shared Parental Leave, 12 weeks at full pay. Paternity and Partner leave, 4 weeks at full pay.
• Health cash plan which enables staff to claim back some healthcare expenses, such as prescriptions, dental treatment and specialist diagnostic tests. It also offers: Discounts on gym memberships and various retailers, a virtual GP and prescription service, on-demand wellness content (fitness, yoga, meditation, sleep, mindfulness) and access to Health Lens, Eargym, and digital physiotherapy via Phio.
• Retail discounts through MyLifestyle.
• Cycling friendly employer- gold accredited
• Cycle to work scheme- spread the cost of purchasing a new bike and save money
• Discounts on: BTO books, Bird care from Vine House Farm (10% discount on orders placed on the website) and Opticron (15% off)
• Free access to BTO training courses
• Flexible working- A combination of home and office working and flexible start and finish times (where this meets business needs)
• Free eye tests and a contribution of £49 towards prescription glasses for VDU use only.
• Free car parking
• Effective job evaluation policy that recognises where staff increase their level of responsibility over time
• Coaching and mentoring scheme
• Staff groups and forums- First Aiders and mental health first aiders, Coaching and mentoring, Diversity working, Sustainability and Natural Working, Becoming Inclusive, Neurodiversity group, LGBTQ+ group and our staff group creating a positive and welcoming culture to work in.
• Commitment to creating an inclusive environment
• Commitment to sustainability

Closing date for receipt of applications is Sunday 7 June 2026 at 23:59 and Interviews will be held in Thetford on 16 and 17 June 2026.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]

If you have a disability or long-term illness that otherwise prevents you from meeting any of the essential criteria, please contact us to discuss whether a reasonable adjustment could be made.

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the vacancy.

We recognise that candidates from minority ethnic groups are under-represented in our organisation, and that there are often additional barriers present for people from these groups when applying for roles in the charity sector and beyond. We are committed to taking positive action to expand the diversity of our staff team, and if you meet the essential criteria for a role and are from a minority ethnic background, you’ll be guaranteed a first stage interview.

In cases where we receive a very high volume of applications, we may need to limit the number of Guaranteed Interview Scheme candidates progressing to interview.