Job Description

Assistant Ecologist

Hours of work: 3 days a week (21 hours per week)

Type of contract: Permanent, part-time

Based at: The Lodge, Littlemore, Oxford with hybrid working available

Croner Rank: 7    

Job Purpose  

The Assistant Ecologist will help the Ecology Team deliver high quality ecological monitoring of nature reserves, analysis of data and provision of ecological advice.

Reporting Line

Reports directly to the Principal Ecologist

Employee Management 

This post has no line reports

Key Responsibilities

·         Carry out survey work on nature reserves for a range of species and habitats, as per the annual survey work plan 

·         Responsible for the day to day management of issuing survey permits – overseen by Principal Ecologist

·         Responsible for logging data using data processing systems – overseen by Senior Ecologist

·         Provide general administration help to support the Ecology Team and the wider Land Management Teams

·         Responsible for technical checking of Ecology Team related BBOWT communications, as requested by the Communications and Media Team – overseen by Principal Ecologist

·         Help with data entry and analysis, and report writing including the 5 yearly conservation report

·         Help keep CMS (management planning database) up to date with survey text

·         Digitise survey data and provide maps

·         Help deliver surveys in the wider countryside and provide advice to landowners

·         Represent BBOWT, for example lead guided walks, write media articles, undertake radio interviews

·         Adhere to all BBOWT policies, procedures and systems

·         To represent BBOWT in a professional manner and to act at all times in a manner which will not damage its reputation

·         To ensure that all health and safety obligations are met in all aspects of the role

·         To provide regular reports as requested

·         To engender a culture of membership recruitment within the team

·         Any other duties as delegated by the Line Manager, Director or Chief Executive

·         Person Specification

·         Understanding of biodiversity and ecological principles 

·         Ability to undertake a wide range of ecological field surveys, record and report on findings

·         In-depth species identification skills in at least one species group with ability to identify a broad range of common British species

·         Holds protected species licences – Great Crested Newt, Hazel Dormice, Southern Damselfly*

·         Able to communicate appropriately with a range of audiences in a variety of situations

·         Able to plan own work and meet deadlines

·         Ability and willingness to demonstrate BBOWT’s values and behaviours

·         Competent in use of a computer software, including Microsoft office suite, with at least intermediate Excel skills

* means that the certification must be achieved within 6 months of being appointed in post (if not already qualified). The candidate appointed will receive appropriate training and two opportunities to pass assessments. The training and assessments will take place within the six-month probationary period or a longer period if the post holder starts in the autumn or winter when it will not be possible to gain these certificates. A consistent failure to achieve an adequate standard in tests is likely to result in employment being terminated.

Measurements Of Success

·         Team supported to deliver work plan targets

·         Surveys carried out

·         Survey permits processed

·         Technical checking of comms completed in a timely and accurate manner

·        Data entered accurately, results analysed and summaries written in CMS