South West Peatland Partnership – Dartmoor Headwaters Assistant (Peatland Restoration)

South West Peatland Partnership – Dartmoor Headwaters Assistant (Peatland
Restoration)

Based in Bovey Tracey and Okehampton, Devon

This is a full-time, fixed term position until 31 March 2025. We are hopeful of securing
further funding to extend the contract until 2030.

About Us

The South West Peatland Partnership is working to restore damaged peatland on Bodmin Moor,
Dartmoor and Exmoor. 

We are now looking for a Dartmoor Headwaters Assistant to join our team of experts in
delivering the next phase of restoration across these vital habitats. The post holder will work
as part of the Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) Headwaters team and part of a wider
Southwest Water delivery team that work across Dartmoor, Exmoor and Bodmin moor.

DNPA is the body that oversees the vibrant, living, working landscape and community that is
Dartmoor. We help to conserve and enhance the biodiversity, cultural heritage and landscape of
Dartmoor and provide opportunities for people to enjoy the countryside as well as supporting
our local communities and the rural economy.

Benefits

• Salary of £27,334 – £31,364 per annum (Grade 4)
• Flexible working arrangements
• Generous annual leave allowance plus bank holidays
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Based at our stunning HQ on the National
  Trust’s Parke estate near Bovey Tracey

This is a fantastic opportunity for a professional
individual with a demonstrable interest in environmental conservation to join our incredible
organisation.

In this unique role, you will gain a broad array of skills as well as making an
impact out and about in our breathtakingly expansive peatland.

The Role

As a Dartmoor Headwaters
Assistant, you will play a key role in delivering peatland restoration on Dartmoor.

This project aims to restore natural processes within the headwaters of priority catchments in
line with the South West Peatland Partnerships (SWPP) aims and Dartmoor’s Partnership Plan.

Assisting with detailed surveys and assessment of restoration sites, you will contribute to
restoration plans, assist with the production of maps and participate in decisions on
restoration techniques.

Ensuring relevant permissions and consents are in place before commencing work, you will also
assist with the recruitment of contractors and supervise their work on the high moor.

You will assist the delivery of flood management interventions and monitor and survey peat
depths, ecology, hydrology and the landscape, and train volunteers to do the same.

This role will regularly involve physical activity over rough and remote countryside terrain.

About You

To be considered as a Dartmoor Headwaters Assistant, you will need:

• A demonstrable interest in, and commitment to, environmental conservation
• The ability to absorb technical information quickly and apply new skills
• The ability to ask questions, integrate into a team and learn on the job
• The ability to access remote areas and work outside all day in inclement weather
• Good oral, written and interpersonal communication skills
• The ability to develop and sustain collaborative relationships with all, from colleagues to
  farmers and contractors
• Good organisational skills and the ability to process information accurately
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and general ICT skills
• The willingness and ability to travel as required within Dartmoor National Park, Exmoor and
  Bodmin moor, and surrounding area
• The willingness to be flexible and work occasional evenings and weekends

Experience of practical conservation work or countryside management would be beneficial to your
application. Project planning experience would also be an advantage, as would knowledge of
farming, particularly upland farming. Experience of recruiting and/or managing contractors
and/or volunteers would be equally favourable.

Experience of communicating environmental or other complex information to a wide variety of
audiences, of field surveying and monitoring and working in remote, rough countryside in
inclement weather would be advantageous. A degree in a Natural Science subject, or relevant
vocational qualifications or relevant work experience would also be desirable.

If you are interested in applying for the role, please visit the DNPA website.

For more information about the project please see the Southwest Peatland Partnership website.

Closing date: 18 February 2024

Interview date: 4 March 2024