Citizen Science Officer – Observatree

ABOUT US

The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. We want to
see a world rich in native woods and trees, for people and wildlife. The Trust engages and
inspires people to make their difference, tackling the nature and climate climate crisis,
helping protect, restore and create our vital woods and trees.

THE ROLE

This role forms part of the successful, multi-partner initiative Observatree, a
project that is now in its 11th year and led by Forest Research. Observatree acts as an early
warning, providing detection of damaging pests and diseases at scale, decreasing the likelihood
of establishment, spread and costly and devastating damage to our trees and woods. The role
will act as the partnership lead for the Woodland Trust and provide leadership and delivery of
a citizen science model which engages specialist volunteers across the UK who monitor and
record the health of our trees and woods and collect vital tree health evidence. 

This is a hybrid working role, where you’ll work part of your time at home and part of the time
from our Head Office based in Grantham, Lincolnshire. Our Hybrid Working Policy is flexible,
and the frequency of time spent in your contracted office will vary across teams and job roles.
For this role, we expect that you will be required to attend Head Office once every two months,
with frequent travel across the UK. 

This is a part-time role, working 30 hours per week. 

THE CANDIDATE

Alongside good ecological knowledge including tree identification, you’ll need
experience recruiting, motivating, managing and retaining a network of geographically dispersed
volunteers. In addition, you’ll have excellent communication skills and be confident to speak
in public and represent Observatree and Woodland Trust in a professional and competent manner.
With a willingness to learn about tree pests and diseases, you’ll have an understanding of
managing scientific data and ideally some knowledge of GIS. You’ll also be able to drive and
stay away from home overnight.

Our Organisational Nature enables us to better understand what it means to be part of the
Woodland Trust, empowering us to make an impact, every day. We want you to be able to role
model our values; ‘Grow Together’, ‘Focus’, ‘Explore’ and ‘Make it Count’ to ensure each of us
plays our part in helping to protect, restore and create our woods and trees.

WHAT TO EXPECT BY JOINING A TEAM AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE 

There’s no other organisation like the Woodland Trust. Joining the team you will be making your
contribution to tackling the nature and climate crisis. In return, we recognise and value our
people. You’ll have our full support, training and opportunities for professional development,
along with a contributory pension, life assurance, good holiday allowance and the opportunity
to work flexibly from home. 

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY & INCLUSION  

At the Woodland Trust, we want to reflect and represent the full richness of diversity in the
UK. Fewer of our employees are Black, Asian or minority ethnic; disabled; from lower
socio-economic backgrounds or under 25; so we are particularly keen to receive your application
if you are from one or more of these groups. We can also discuss anything you may need to
achieve your full potential at any stage of the process. We assess your application solely on
your demonstrated suitability for the job. Nothing else. 

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable
applications. If you are interested, we’d encourage you to submit your application as early as
possible.