Species Recovery Engagement Officer

35 hours per week

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is one of the UK’s fastest growing nature conservation organisations
and seeks to appoint a Species Recovery Engagement Officer.

Species recovery projects, by their nature, introduce a change and elements of uncertainty to
the environment we manage. Inevitably they can attract a range of perspectives from
stakeholders, which we must understand and consider at all stages of project design,
development and implementation. Effective community engagement with people who live and work in
an area, from the start, creates a platform for open dialogue on the potential costs and
benefits of recovering a species. It lays the foundations to enable species and communities to
co-exist and thrive, helping to ensure a project’s long-term success. This exciting new role
will be crucial to enabling the successful recovery of native species into Yorkshire. It will
have a particular focus on supporting stakeholder engagement and advisory work associated with
pine marten recovery in North Yorkshire, a species that provides a missing link in our woodland
ecology.

The Species Recovery Engagement Officer will be responsible for developing a Communications and
Engagement Plan to: identify key stakeholders and individuals with specific interest and/or
influence in the target species; and understand potential issues and opportunities for species
recovery in the area. The role will be able to think strategically about our stakeholders and
work with partners to develop effective and innovative communications to engage people with the
wider work of the project. As a skilled communicator, you will be able to enthuse and educate
others; listen to and address genuine questions and concerns of stakeholders; and create
engaging activities and content to increase awareness and education to facilitate species
recovery.

Experience in, or substantial understanding of, feasibility studies for species recovery and/or
working on wildlife translocations, reintroduction/reinforcement, rewilding or ecosystem
restoration projects.

Experience developing and delivering public engagement and consultation initiatives in a
countryside context and an understanding of developing stakeholder and public engagement
methodologies. 

Experience managing good working relationships with a variety of stakeholders/partners,
particularly in challenging situations.

Strong facilitation skills with the ability to bring individuals with different views together
and facilitate an agreed approach.

Education to degree level in social science or ecology related subject, or equivalent
professional qualification within a relevant discipline.

How to apply:

Please submit an up-to-date CV and supporting statement. When writing your supporting
statement, please refer to the person specification within the job description, and ensure you
describe your relevant knowledge, skills and experience relevant to the role. Ideally, your CV
and supporting statement should be in an editable format, such as Word, so we can anonymise
your documents prior to the short-listing process. Please DO NOT include any personal details
(name, address etc) on your supporting statement.

Closing date: Monday 6 May at midnight 2024

Interview date: Thursday 16 May 2024

Please note that applications received after the closing deadline may not be considered. The
Trust regrets that it is unable to give feedback on unsuccessful applications.

We are committed to creating a Movement that recognises and truly values individual differences
and identities. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where
everyone is able to be themselves and to reach their full potential. We want our people to
flourish, just like nature.

REF-213 366