Job Title: Conservation Officer

Salary: £29,093 - £32,654 per annum (Grade 5)

Location: Wolverhampton

Contract Type: Full Time- 37 Hours per week, Fixed Term Contract- 14 months

The award-winning City of Wolverhampton Council is seeking an enthusiastic Conservation Officer to join our dynamic and hardworking Environmental Services, Parks and Green Spaces team. This fixed-term position is an ideal opportunity for an individual who is looking to advance their career and join a thriving and supportive organisation. There's never been a better time to join award winning City of Wolverhampton Council when we are at an exciting stage of transformation for the organisation and the city. We offer a wide range of benefits including competitive salaries, generous annual leave entitlement, excellent pension scheme amongst many more.

Smestow Valley Local Nature Reserve (SVLNR) is a unique natural and historical site in the West side of Wolverhampton which forms part of the UNESCO Black Country Geopark. It follows the natural valley of Smestow Brook which it shares with the Staffordshire and Worcester Canal forming a wildlife corridor nearly 4.5km long providing a high-quality environment for pedestrians, cyclists and offering excellent opportunities for leisure, wellbeing and tourism.

Working within the Environmental Services, Parks and Green Spaces department, you will:

Assist in the day-to day operational management of all aspects of SVLNR, including the monitoring of maintenance programmes, external contractors and the undertaking of daily maintenance activity as required

Assist in the development and operation of the adopted management plans and other relevant site-specific guidance.

Deliver biodiversity creation and enhancement projects, through employing the services of contractors and working with community groups and volunteers.

Engage with and work in collaboration with government agencies, other local authority departments, landowners, businesses, schools, community groups, volunteers, and other organisations to deliver the objectives of the management plan and The National Lottery Heritage Fund project

Help set operational standards and services at an exceptional level, ensuring effective and efficient performance at all times; working with the Friends Group to deliver site and ecological improvement projects; plan and deliver weekly practical volunteer days; deliver Wild Experience days with local businesses; engage with local communities whilst promoting the site; carry out site specific routine maintenance with the support of the Friends Group and the supervision of any staff allocated.

The successful candidate will have:

A minimum of 3 GCSEs or equivalent including English and Maths.

HNC in Environmental Studies or Countryside Management or similar or demonstrable relevant experience in the sector.

Current full driving licence. (Minimum Cat B)

Experience of: -

o Habitat creation techniques and applications.

o Identifying and designing ecological improvement projects.

o Preparing and managing work programmes and budgets.

o Carrying out ecological surveys (species and habitat surveys)

o Working with volunteers Practical

Knowledge or Skills in:

o Biodiversity and nature conservation in the UK and the concept of landscape-scale conservation.

o The habitats, wildlife and wild places found in and around the Black Country.

o Habitat management skills in a range of habitat types.

o Good species and habitat identification skills.

o Good organisational and time management skills; accurate and methodical; able to prioritise workloads effectively and meet deadlines.

o Ability to engage and work with corporate partners, landowners, local authority officers and community groups.

o Ability to motivate, organise and manage groups of volunteers in undertaking a range of tasks.

o Ability to take initiative and work independently but cooperatively.

For full details of the responsibilities and requirements of this role please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

If you are interested in applying and require further information on this position, please contact Tanzil Awal on or email tanzil.awal(at)wolverhampton.gov.uk

Interviews and site walk are scheduled to take place on week commencing 9th December 2024.

Acknowledgement of Funder
The Smestow Valley Local Nature Reserve Project is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to; enhance and protect the industrial and natural heritage of SVLNR and explore and promote SVLNR to a wider audience.

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