Senior Project Officer – NFM Delivery

Role Overview

The Ousewem project will fund a programme of Natural Flood Management (NFM) across the Swale,
Ure, Nidd and Ouse catchments. The project is managed by City of York Council and funded by
Defra as part of the £150 million Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation Programme, which is
managed by the Environment Agency to develop and test new approaches to flood resilience and
runs until 2027.

The project is an exciting opportunity to deliver practical actions to improve the catchment’s
natural environment and resilience to climate change while influencing future policy and
practice. Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust (YDRT) are delivery partners in the project and have a
key role in coordinating action, building the evidence base, and delivering NFM on the ground
across the catchment.

The successful candidate will work with farmers, contractors, partner organisations, volunteers
and other Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust staff to deliver natural flood risk management and river
restoration projects. The funding for these projects is already secured.

This post is within Yorkshire Dales River Trust and will cover the Swale, Ure, Nidd and Ouse
catchment.

This post will report to the YDRT NFM Programme Manager and work alongside an existing YDRT NFM
Project Officer, and a Natural England farm advisor, as the Ousewem Delivery Team.

The Ousewem project team have identified areas which are the most beneficial in terms of the
potential flood resilience benefits of NFM. The Senior Project Officer will identify farmers
and landowners in these areas, and work with them to develop and deliver NFM projects,
including carrying out all NFM design work, securing the necessary consents and permissions,
and managing the delivery of work by contractors and volunteers.

The Senior Project Officer will manage all aspect of the projects, from inception to delivery,
ensuring they are delivered on time, to budget and with agreed quality standards. Previous
experience of delivering practical environmental projects, especially NFM projects, is
therefore essential.

The Senior Project Officer will look for opportunities to maximise the benefits of the project
and efficiencies through collaborative working. The Senior Project Officer will work closely
with other Trust staff, Ousewem partners and key stakeholders across the catchment to identify
additional funding or collaboration opportunities. The Senior Project Officer may be required
to attend talks and events to promote the project. The Senior Project Officer will also promote
the project through the Trust’s website, social media and newspaper articles.

The role will be home based but will work across the Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust’s area. A hot
desk is available at the Trust office and at partner offices as required for 1-2 days a week.
The role entails a high degree of outdoor practical work, project management, monitoring and
evaluation, and working with contractors whilst out on site. The post holder will be flexible,
with occasional evening and weekend working. The post-holder will work well both alone and as
part of a team of paid staff and volunteers. The post-holder will need to be comfortable
working outside in steeper upland settings and in variable weather conditions.

Salary: £32,000 – £36,000 (depending on experience)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week (will consider applications for part-time working and job share)

Probationary period: Six months. During the probationary period, the contract
may be terminated with one week’s notice.

Annual leave: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Pension: Contributory pension. The Trust contributes 9% salary.

Location: The Trust has an office in Pateley Bridge. The successful candidate
will have a hot desk available in the office but is not expected to work from the office every
day.

More Details:

Key Responsibilities & Competency Details can be found on our website.

Applications must be received no later than 5pm on Monday 29th July.

Successful applicants will be invited to interview in person, more information will be provided
if shortlisted. Previous applicants need not apply.