Project Manager, Ecology and Conservation

Job Purpose

Job Title: Project Manager 

Advertised Salary: £30,470 + benefits.

Location: Remote, with regular travel across our West Midlands network
required. See here: canalrivertrust.org.uk/canals-and-rivers

Fixed term contract or secondment to March 2025 

Founded in 2012, the Canal & River Trust is the UK’s largest waterways charity, caring for
a 2,000-mile network of canals, rivers and reservoirs. Connecting many of the UK’s urban and
rural areas, we provide essential spaces for wildlife and people, helping us all feel happier
and healthier. The 250-year-old waterways in our care and their vital ecosystems are threatened
by the growing impact of climate change and other pressures.

Are you passionate about ecology and conservation and looking to make a real difference to
nature recovery? We are looking for an ecologist and project manager (12-month contract –
maternity cover) to join the Unlocking Biodiversity project, funded by Severn
Trent, which aims to preserve and restore habitats within the West Midlands and the wildlife
that depends on them. This project started in April 2023 and
runs until March 2025. The project will continue to be delivered by the
successful applicant in collaboration with the co-project manager and ecologist already working
on the project. 

The Unlocking Biodiversity project focusses on five habitat types for restoration along our
waterways: reedbed, aquatic margin, hedgerow, heathland and grassland. Continued water vole
recovery within the region is also a key conservation aim of the project. Learn more here.

You will survey, design, plan and implement habitat restoration works, including creating
habitat management plans to ensure future longevity. The works are delivered by a combination
of volunteers and contractors, so the ability to lead and work with a range of different people
is vital for this role.

Location

The role will be based working from home, with the allocation of a nearby Hub in the West
Midlands for collaborative working. You will attend site visits across the West Midlands
region. 

About the role

Key ecological accountabilities:

• Carry out habitat surveys to inform restoration works.
• Create habitat improvement plans and method statements to inform detail on how works will
  be delivered.
• Work collaboratively with internal Trust teams and external stakeholders to deliver project
  objectives.
• Lead volunteer groups and/or work with Trust volunteer leaders in delivery of objectives.
  Ensure an engaging experience for participants.
• Deliver awareness training, toolbox talks and facilitate practical training for Trust
  colleagues, contractors, volunteers and stakeholder groups.
• Attend site meetings with volunteer leaders and contractors to inform works.
• Carry out site monitoring during and after habitat restoration works to audit the works and
  implement mitigation as necessary.
• Continue to run established citizen science surveys for otters and water voles.
• Adhere to UK statutory environmental policies and internal Trust environmental procedures.
• Write and implement risk assessments.
• Promotion of the project and its work, for example through social media.

Key project management accountabilities:

• Procurement and negotiation of contractor services for delivery of habitat restoration
  works.
• Procurement of equipment and materials required to carry out habitat works.
• Scheduling of works within tight timescales and seasonal limitations.
• Adhere to reporting requirements of funders and internally within the Trust.
• Manage the project in accordance with the Trust’s Health and Safety policy and defined
  standards to ensure compliance.
• Plan and control forecasts and actual costs against the project budget.
• Ensure all project (time, cost, quality, health and safety and environmental and heritage)
  objectives are achieved,
• Manage risks, issues and changes on the project.
• Maintain communications with stakeholders and the project team/organisation to satisfy
  their differing needs.
• With assistance from others, administer all aspects of the contract (if applicable to
  delivery of the project) to ensure compliance (e.g NEC ECC).
• Handover and closure of the project in a controlled manner highlighting any areas for
  improvements or elements of good practice to be considered in future projects.
• Work safely ensuring the safety of others and contribute to safe working in all activities.
• Display the Trust values and behaviours at all times.
• Ensuring that diversity and inclusion are integrated into all aspects of Trust life and
  promoting inclusion by challenging behaviour, practices, actions, or decisions that are counter
  to the objectives of the Trust’s policies and values.
• Comply with Canal & River Trust Health & Safety policy and defined standards,
  report incidents, accidents and near misses. Assess the risks and make adjustments to work
  methods where appropriate. Ensure all equipment (PPE, plant, materials etc.) is appropriate for
  the task. Consider your own and others behaviour.
• Safeguarding – To be aware of your own responsibilities regarding safeguarding and to
  support our commitment to providing safe environments and working practises that promote and
  protect the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults at risk at all times.

About you

Technical: 

• Hold a degree (or equivalent experience) in ecology or a related subject.
• Proven experience in application of specialist knowledge within a business environment.
• Able to influence/negotiate effectively with internal and external contacts to achieve
  desired outcomes.
• Knowledge of, and practical experience of operating within, UK & European policy and
  regulatory frameworks.
• Experience of undertaking habitat surveys, desirable. 
• Experience of undertaking protected species surveys, desirable.
• Project management experience, desirable.
• Membership of CIEEM , desirable.
• Knowledge of GIS, , desirable.

General: 

• You will be a passionate and effective advocate for nature recovery.
• Proven evidence of continuing professional development.
• Excellent organisation and scheduling abilities.
• Good communicator to a range of audiences, able to adapt style and content as appropriate.
  Capable in a range of media types.
• Reliable and flexible.
• Self-motivated and show initiative.
• Able to work well alone or in a team.
• Good problem-solving abilities.
• Full UK driving licence with access to own car for business use.

To apply: click on the “Apply for this job” button and follow the process –
complete the application form & upload current CV.

Interviews: Initial interviews will be conducted virtually by MS Teams.

If you have any questions about the role please contact [email protected] 

What we offer

In addition to your annual base salary of £30,470, we also offer Car
Cash Allowance (£390 per month), a competitive contributory DC Pension scheme
arrangement, and numerous other employee benefits, including several salary sacrifice benefits
we are also open to flexible working arrangements.

Benefits include: 

• 25 days paid holiday, plus bank holidays. 
• Competitive contributory DC Pension scheme arrangement, where we will double your
  contribution to a maximum of 10%.
• Home working status with ‘hub’ facilities available if a need to work outside of home –
  flexibility. Monday to Friday working, no weekend working.
• Annual £200 personal learning & growth award to spend on any learning related activity
  – hobbies; aspirations etc.
• Free access to specialist counselling on a range of issues – health; financial; lifestyle;
  well-being; domestic & neighbourly matters.
• Access to a range of employee benefits including – store discounts; boating holiday
  discounts; holiday purchase scheme.
• Expansive maternity/paternity provisions.
• Progressive access to learning tools and CPD.
• 2 days paid volunteering leave, volunteering for local community project work.

At the Trust we care passionately for our waterways, and as importantly, for those who look
after and use them. We strongly believe that a diverse workforce brings with it a diversity of
ideas, thinking and ways of working which enhances what we do as a Trust. We are striving to
represent the diverse communities that we are a part of and welcome applicants from across all
sectors of the community.

All candidates will be treated on the basis of their merits, skills and abilities and solely by
being assessed against the requirements for the job.

When you join the Canal & River Trust you become a member of an engaged team working to
preserve our heritage for future generations. Come and share your passion and knowledge with a
team that makes a difference to millions of people every day.

Find out more about us on our
website: canalrivertrust.org.uk