Field Ecologist x4 – Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) Programme

The Team is responsible for delivering Natural England’s part of the Natural Capital and
Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA).

The NCEA is a transformative programme to understand the extent, condition and change over time
of environmental assets across England’s land and water
environments, supporting the government’s ambition to improve the environment within a
generation. Data will come from Earth Observation, professional field data collection, citizen
science and partner data sets.

Natural England’s Terrestrial NCEA delivery is organised into projects:

1. Mapping and Earth Observation – Spatial data and maps on natural capital to inform national
   and local decision making and delivery.
2. England Peat Map – Mapping the extent and condition of England’s peatlands.
3. Field data collection – Data on habitats, soils, landscapes and species to understand the
   condition of natural capital assets.
4. Citizen science – Working with citizens and community science to fill gaps, provide local
   and landscape scale information and engaging the public.
5. Data mobilisation and integration and reporting – Making NCEA, partner and volunteer data
   available for analysis, integration and use, producing high quality evidence products by
   analysing and integrating NCEA data.
6. Programme management – Managing Natural England’s NCEA programme.

This role sits within Project NE3 – Field Data Collection. The England Ecosystem Survey work
package will use professional survey as a tool to provide high quality data to assess the state
and condition of biodiversity, ecosystems, and natural capital assets within England’s habitats
and landscapes addressing data gaps, including soils.

We are looking for ecologists with experience in field survey and its planning and project
management, including management and development of mobile field technology. These surveyor
roles will be our people on the ground: taking on the England Ecosystem Survey, NCEA soil
surveys, England Peat Map surveys and ground truthing our Earth Observation data.

Job Description

Key responsibilities of a Lead Adviser Field Surveyor in Evidence
Services:

The role will be predominantly field based and involve organising and carrying out a range of
ecological surveys across England. Survey scope is likely to include botanical surveying on a
range of habitats (heathlands, grasslands, ponds, coastal, ditches, hedgerows, urban etc) and
will include data collection associated with assessing landscape features and soils, some of
which will extend into the winter months. Equipment will include a mixture of traditional and
Geographical Information System based recording/collection tools to enable georeferenced data
collection and spatial mapping.

Due to the nature of these roles, following interview panel assessment suitable candidates will
need to undertake a brief, online field identification test. Suitable candidates will be
contacted separately regarding this assessment.

These roles will suit individuals with proven field ecology experience with the successful
applicants able to undertake botanical field surveys of UK habitats. (FISC4 or above
-desirable) Whilst all these roles are for field surveyors, there are elements of the role
which will require office working throughout the year between surveys. We are seeking
ecologists with more than just field skills – applicants must also be able to analyse and
interpret data (preferably experienced in ArcGIS), work successfully with partners and train,
support and advise colleagues.

The work will require staff to co-ordinate with other Natural England teams, work with our
partners, liaise with landowners, carryout field surveys, capture and manage a variety of
habitat and landscape data.

A full UK driving licence is required. These roles will require regular travel (using public
transport where possible) throughout England and overnight stays are required. Surveyors
typically spend 50% of their time out in the field. We aim to follow the principal of a week in
the field and a week in the office but there is an element of flexibility expected depending on
specific demand.

Key tasks and accountabilities:

1. Undertake site surveys, record findings and analyse the condition of a variety of
   landscapes and habitats.
2. Contribute towards the development and improvement of survey methodology and explore
   opportunities for improvements, enhancements and/or innovations in the field collection
   process.
3. Liaise with and uphold good communication with other Natural England teams, landowners and
   managers and members of the public.
4. Build and develop strong internal and external working relationships.
5. Resolve problems that involve detailed investigation, analysis and the exercise of
   judgement in making recommendations or determining appropriate action. For example, negotiating
   land access permission / liaising with public and staff in relation to site safety.
6. Lead or coordinate surveys/project progress and share findings to relevant audiences e.g.,
   via webinars, articles and team and project meetings as necessary.
7. Provide and/or support training (e.g., courses, webinars, in field coaching etc.) and
   mentoring opportunities for other staff to develop and build upon their existing field skills
   and knowledge of land management practices.
8. Seek to identify key evidence gaps, source information from partners and work with
   colleagues to commission appropriate research and monitoring work;

For queries contact Steve Marsh, [email protected] phone
07341058313.