Waterlife Recovery Project Officer

We have an opportunity for a suitably qualified individual to join us at Essex Wildlife Trust in this externally funded role to lead on the removal of invasive mink and support water vole conservation in the Mardyke catchment and River Blackwater. 

We are seeking a dynamic individual to lead efforts in removing invasive mink from the Mardyke
catchment and River Blackwater, while conducting ecological surveys to evaluate the impact on
water vole distribution. You will be responsible for setting up a network of monitoring rafts
and live-capture traps equipped with advanced remote sensors to achieve these goals.

With increasing development pressures in the Thames catchment area, ensuring safe habitats for
water voles to flourish is essential. This role will play a crucial part in combining habitat
creation and invasive North American mink removal, key strategies in fostering the growth of
these safe areas.

Working closely with the Wilder Rivers and Protected Species Manager and collaborating with a
team of Waterlife Recovery Trust Project Officers, you will establish a trained network of
staff and volunteers to support this critical conservation work. Your efforts will contribute
to both county and regional water vole conservation strategies.

Based within the Conservation Directorate, you will collaborate with managers, staff, and
volunteers across the organisation. Our core values – Inspiring, Collaborative, United,
Professional, and Sustainable – are at the heart of everything we do.

We are dedicated to evidence-based conservation and are developing innovative approaches to
address the ongoing decline in water vole populations across England and the UK. In this role,
you will support our University Research partners by utilising DNA analysis, environmental DNA
(eDNA) surveying, and cutting-edge smart sensing technologies, while helping to deliver the
goals of the regional water vole recovery project in its southern-most area.

Water voles (Arvicola amphibius) in Essex are an important part of the region’s wetland
ecosystems but have experienced significant population declines due to habitat loss, waterway
development, and predation by invasive species, particularly North American mink. Once common
across the county, water vole numbers in Essex have dramatically decreased, mirroring national
trends across the UK.

Conservation efforts in Essex are focused on habitat restoration and the removal of invasive
mink to support water vole recovery. Projects are aimed at enhancing riparian habitats,
including riverbanks, ditches, and wetlands, to create safer environments for water voles to
thrive. Collaborative initiatives between local conservation organisations, volunteers and
research partners are vital to protecting these vulnerable animals and reversing their decline.

The position is a fixed-term role expected to last until 31 March 2030 as the position is
externally funded. The starting salary is £28,300 per annum and the hours of work are
full-time, 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday.

To apply for this opportunity, please submit an online application via our website by 9:00am on
Monday 16 September 2024.

As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to offering an interview to anyone with a
disability that meets all the essential criteria for the post. Please let us know if you
require any adjustments to make our recruitment process more accessible. 

Essex Wildlife Trust is committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone is
welcome. As a conservation charity, we know how important diversity is, both in our natural
world and amongst the people we employ. We want everyone to feel valued and empowered to
contribute to our vision of “A county rich in wildlife with people connected to nature”.